Frump to Fab - Summer Solstice Sizzler

lessonlearned

Had a lovely afternoon, took OH to a local marina, sat and watched the boats and the waterfowl and then I must confess it was so hot I did succumb to an ice cream.:D

It was extremely hard work lugging the wheelchair round so I'm really looking forward to getting that power pack. My poor old back is killing me.

Didn't light the chiminea last night it was a bit too windy, so might do it tonight. It's a lovely still evening and still very warm.

However I will have to watch "House" first - it is the very last one - so I think I'd better have some tissues at the ready. I absolutely adore Hugh Laurie - he just personifies everything I like about witty, self deprecating, intelligent but modest English men.

As you know I'm half Belgian but one thing I really love about England and the English is the humour. Foreign men might be more glamourous but they don't compare to a witty Englishman. Just my opinion. :rotfl: Mind you I struck lucky with my OH, good looking, intelligent and funny - all this as well as being a thoroughly decent human being. I did have to kiss a fair few frogs first though.:rotfl:

Anyway, apart from the ice-cream I've eaten sensibly, fruit and yoghurt for breakfast, some brie, couple of crackers and fruit for lunch, dinner will be Spanish chicken and salad and just a little piece of Foccacia bread - I'll let DS2 have the lions share.

I've done plenty of stretches and lugging that wheelchair will be today's exercise. A few more stretches later.

Keep up the good work ladies. The race is on...........

lessonlearned

dannie wrote: »

Hi folks,


podperson - thanks for your comments about your experience regarding your self-image. I rarely bother what anybody else thinks and it feels any effort would have minimal positive results for me. Nevertheless, I've not completely abandoned the idea. (Nice that it works for you).

PP is right Dannie - little tweaks improving your outward appearance will soon build your confidence and sense of self worth and self esteem.

Slowly but surely your confidence will grow and you will find that your life will start to change for the better.

It doesn't matter about being slim or pretty or glamourous. What matters is that you are nicely dressed, well groomed and wearing the appropriate clothes for any occasion.

If you are well turned out, walk tall and proud, and smile you can achieve just about anything. Why, because you will exude confidence even if you don't feel it, people will take proper notice of you and start to treat you with respect.

The message our appearance gives out cannot be denied. If you look as if you value yourself then others will value you too. If you slob around looking a mess it tells people you can't be bothered and that you don't consider yourself worthy enough.

If that's the message they receive then that's how they will treat you.

It's early days for you, you are only just starting out on the road to Fabdom. Try not to get too disheartened if you don't get quick results, these things take time. A little patience is all.

WelshWoofer

Evening all - lovely and sunny here too.
Taken the dog to the water park tonight with my gay best friend and his dog and he promptly lept into a manky stagnant pond and came out like a swamp monster:eek: (the dog that is!).
So, a shampoo later he's still not perfectly clean but at least he doesn't have algae and mud all over him:o

Food wise today has been ok - salad wrap for lunch with fruit, and quorn fillets, fake chicken and salad for tea, strawberries for later on. I did have a sneaky penguin earlier as it was someone's birthday and they'd brought them in to work but I think the hour long walk will probably negate that. I'm determined to stick to a healthy diet (not a "diet" diet) and lose a bit of flab.

I too have had a bit of back trouble in the past so sympathise with those struggling - the worst bit is not sleeping because you can't get comfy - hope that's not the case for you?
I know it sounds daft but try not to overdo the pain killers as they can mask the fact that your back is bad and you'll end up doing more damage. Happened to me:(

I've made lunch for tomorrow and planned tea so I have no excuses for scoffing tomorrow. Doesn't mean I won't be tempted though:rotfl:

fedupandskint

I'm definately ready to sizzle away for the Solstice Lovely day here and wore a new skirt today and got some comments about looking summery and slim and a couple of whoops from a friend who I told about the size 8 business and she complimented me on being a very healthy size too so, get in, for me for some fabby comments!

Feel loads better and well on the road to normality vitality now and after taking a walk with Mr Dog and calling in at the vets to collect some flea stuff decided to get on the stepper and give it a go. Went well and feel much more energised and happy it wasn't too difficult after a few weeks off. So a little bit of toning of arms and shoulders done too :j

Thinking about freeing up another skirt tomorrow as it looks like a very warm day indeed then after work will be another stroll around the waterpark and then the stepper

adelight

LL i agree with vitamins even an enriched cereal or milk is a good addition to your diet.

WW what were the tickets for? that's a good profit! i got some blink182 tickets in the post that i bought for an ex-friend two years ago and had completely forgot about, i hate blink182 so gotta get on ebay!

fedupandskint you've made so much progress and your running is amazing, inspirational :T


I've had another weird spacey day, ended up calling home again for a chat which helped. My aunt's (on Dad's side) invited my Mum to zumba and stuff to help keep her busy and I'm taking notes. It's dawned on me that I don't know anyone within... 50 miles? of where I'm moving to in a few weeks and I get really down when I'm bored or lonely. Most definitely going to go nuts and probably start doing crazy toe nail art or something to kill time. Hmph.
I'm about to cake my scalp in coconut oil for the night. I think I have er... a bit of a fungal skin thing going on on my scalp. When I'm stressed I get little patches of fungal skin cropping up usually on my wrist and eye lid but feels like there's some on my scalp and apparently it's a good home remedy Wow, could I be any sexier?

faithless

dannie wrote: »

Hi folks,

I've not been posting but certainly have been following your comments thanks. This morning I've organised myself to add to this thread because as the day elapses it becomes harder. It was a "false alarm" when I thought my back had nearly healed; worse than I thought plus affecting my mood badly.

*Sigh* I've not posted since I joined over a week ago, but the above post rang such a bell. Last August I picked a breezeblock up awkwardly and my lower back went 'ping'. It didn't hurt much to start with, but kept getting worse. I left it as assumed had tweaked a muscle or something which can take months to settle down, took painkillers where necessary, started the yoga and Pilates classes at my local gym. Eventually went to Drs, whose suggestion was that I've tried continuing to be active on it, so cut out all activity for 6weeks and see if rest helps (it didn't), after that got referred to hospital for physio.
Had done physio exercises for 2weeks when I started feeling better, in those 2weeks I also had changed my diet replacing junk food snacks with protein, and felt better with much more energy.

Then last week on Monday I felt good and went to circuit training for the fort time in ages, taking it easy, then on Tues I had to carry some files for work, and wound up carrying their lopsided weight on one shoulder.
On Wed my back ached, Thur it was back as bad as it used to be, I got angry and ate all the junk food I could lay my hands on then felt bad about myself

faithless

... had an upset stomach from body not used to that much junk food, shouted at OH, and got generally miserable. Hence no fabbing. My back really hurts and I'm terrified it's never going away - I'm 26 !!!!!!, yet I'm having to shuffle about like I'm 76, and it seems like it's going to be this way for good. And as Dannie said, it's all the worse having your hopes dashed after that little ray of sunshine in it easing.

lizzie157

faithless wrote: »

... I'm 26 !!!!!!, yet I'm having to shuffle about like I'm 76, and it seems like it's going to be this way for good. And as Dannie said, it's all the worse having your hopes dashed after that little ray of sunshine in it easing.

Sorry to hear you're in the bad back club too. I'm really struggling too, will give mine a week before I see dr. Have got some back strengthening exercises probably the same as physio gave you. If anyone wants me to post them give us a shout. The one thing I remember from the exercises was ALWAYS work within the limits of the pain -that way you shouldn't make it any worse. It will improve it's just something you may have to live with, I'm older than you but have suffered myself since about your age. You need to strengthen your core muscles is what I've been told - never managed it yet, think we tend to leave off with the exercises when we feel ok but the best way is to do them all the time.

adelight wrote: »

I've had another weird spacey day, ended up calling home again for a chat which helped. My aunt's (on Dad's side) invited my Mum to zumba and stuff to help keep her busy and I'm taking notes. It's dawned on me that I don't know anyone within... 50 miles? of where I'm moving to in a few weeks and I get really down when I'm bored or lonely. Most definitely going to go nuts and probably start doing crazy toe nail art or something to kill time. Hmph.
I'm about to cake my scalp in coconut oil for the night. I think I have er... a bit of a fungal skin thing going on on my scalp. When I'm stressed I get little patches of fungal skin cropping up usually on my wrist and eye lid but feels like there's some on my scalp and apparently it's a good home remedy Wow, could I be any sexier?

I'm thinking of you. Try and find some you time - zumba and nail art should help. Its hard just don't expect too much of yourself - be kind to yourself -something I find hard to do. You 're having a tough time at the moment but it will pass.

WelshWoofer wrote: »

I too have had a bit of back trouble in the past so sympathise with those struggling - the worst bit is not sleeping because you can't get comfy - hope that's not the case for you?
I know it sounds daft but try not to overdo the pain killers as they can mask the fact that your back is bad and you'll end up doing more damage. Happened to me:(

No not sleeping too well at all . Then when I get up can hardly move. Am off to get some more heat patches rather than keep gobbling painkillers. I really should be resting but the dogs need walking and need to get some shopping. Don't know how I'm gonna manage but still. Should have seen me getting over the stile yesterday - I did look about 90:rotfl::rotfl:.

Went to look at the pony again yesterday. DD didn't get to ride it though as the lady who owns it is a bit nervous and couldn't get the bridle on. Unfortunately I'm also a bit nervous these days not helped by having a bad back and a poorly finger so I couldn't help. Have looked it up and seems we need to get pony used to having her head touched which she doesn't really like at moment. The owner is really lovely and as told DD she can go whenever she likes. So hopefully even if it does turn out to be short term at least we both will have gained some valuable experience.

Have a good day everyone -time to get my back into gear- very gently.

lessonlearned

Good morning everyone

Beautiful day here. I need to go shopping so I'm going to go soon before it gets hot and busy.

WW - well done on the healthy eating. I think I'm doing quite well. Yes it is a weight loss goal but like you I'm trying not to think "diet" more lifetime healthy eating. I think I can in-corporate the odd ice cream or glass of wine in that.;)

I think I definitely need a diet buddy - I hate going to slimming clubs so let's do it here.

I've decided I really need to lose between 2 and 3 stones. A big ask. Why oh why did I allow the weight to creep on like this. However, I know that even losing 1 stone will make a huge difference so that it my first "mini" goal.

Faithless - if it's any consolation I had my first back episode at the age of 19. I later discovered that the initial damage had been caused by a fall from a horse at the age of 13, but hadn't had any pain at the time so because I had picked myself up and walked away with only mild concussion everyone assumed I was ok. I didn't have any x-rays or treatment at the time.

Just try and nurse your back and re-introduce things gradually and in your case it sounds as if your back doesn't like awkward sideways movements. It might be a good idea to see your GP again and maybe push to see a specialist. It could be just soft tissue injury - which do take a very long time to heal - but you really need to get things checked out to make sure there is nothing "structural" re your spine, discs or bones.

OK - I know we're not supposed to give medical advice on here but how about sharing a few "back tips" of the non-medical variety.

Here's a couple of mine -

When I have an episode i.e. acute pain say from twisting or pulling something I use alternating ice and heat packs. The ice reduces infamation and the heat relaxes muscles and eases pain.

When the pain is chronic and on-going I use heat packs, hot water bottles, wheat packs, hot baths. Then lots of gentle stretching. I find the key is to keep warm, so I wear a body warmer when it is really cold. Layer dressing is good, and thermal vests really help.

Re treatments I have over the years tried a chiropractor, physiotherapy and acupuncture. I find them all very helpful.

Posture - watch your posture. Try to stand and sit straight. I know it's hard when you are at work but try to avoid long periods slumped over a desk or computer. Get up and walk around every so often, do a few standing up stretches.

Unfortunately I can't cope with strong pain killers so just use paracetamol and then various pain relieving gels.

I take glucosmine for my joints especially my knees and find that does help.

But for me - especially for my knees - I know I need to lose weight. Although I'm tall 5'7" I only have a small frame and light delicate bones. I should be slender but at the moment I'm not. Losing weight is the answer for me.

I agree with Lizzie - exercise is key, working to strengthen the core muscles. Google Exercise for Core Muscles and you'll find lots of tips and advice. As Lizzie says work within the limits of the pain and don't overdo things. No more lifting breeze blocks by yourself. :eek::eek:

Adelight - moving to a new area is always a challenge and you can feel a bit lost at first. I've had to relocate to other ends of the country a couple of times. Perhaps you could maybe try joining a few groups to get you out and about and meeting people. I have been so impressed with WW and her new social life. It's not easy but with a bit of courage it can be done.

Have you tried T-gel shampoo. Pre-treating the scalp with oils is a good idea, I use lavender on my husband's scalp because it has mild antiseptic properties.

Anyway off to town now - might treat myself to a coffee in my favourite Italian coffee shop. I will avoid the pastries.:rotfl:

Have a great day.

Everhopeful09

Hi All,
Well another gorgeous day in Cardiff, the sunshine definitely helps your mood and make everything seem a bit rosier


Leasonlearned - wise words in your post yesterday, thankyou.:)


Faithless and lizzie157 what you are saying about your back rings truth with me and tried ice/heat, painkillers, gels, oesteopath, yoga/pilates etc. Been flaring on/off for 6 months so I am going to the drs this week and not put off any longer.



Hugs to anyone who needs one, I'm slowly coming out of lurking and posting a bit more often. Though this thread is my daily fix, its so supportive and offers some great advice.


EH xxx