Frump to Fab - Sizzling Summer Solstice to Awesome Autumn Equinox

lessonlearned

Flipflops - according to a podiatrist I saw - put enormous pressure on to the muscles round the toes, because the toes have to "claw" to flex to make them stay on -if that makes sense. Also they don't offer any support.

I think they are fine for slopping around but not for all day every day wear. He said that when you see young girls living in them all the time they are storing up trouble for later years.

He also told me off for wearing completely flat shoes a lot too. I thought I was doing the right thing for my plantar facisitis but apparently that only makes matters worse. He said a wearing completely flat shoes all the time contributes to fallen arches and shortens the heel tendons.

So then I asked him the million dollar question "OK then - what about high heels?"

His answer was moderation in all things. He said the trick is to vary heel heights and shoe types, but for everyday all day then anything from a 1" to 2". He said wedges were easy on the feet. Very high heels should just be worn for a few hours not all day every day, which makes sense - have you seen Victoria Beckham's bunions:eek:.

So I said to him - "that means we women have the perfect excuse to buy lots of shoes". Yes he said as long as they are not all killer heels, flip flops or completely flat ballet pumps - just vary them and ring the changes so that muscles don't tighten and you get to rest different areas of the foot.

I gather there are now something called "Fitflops", which are supposed to help exercise the foot. Can anyone remember "Scholl" clogs - I never got on with them myself. I found them very heavy and clumpy.

I bought some new slippers this morning.

lessonlearned

Madrabbitgirl wrote: »

WW
I do wish we lived in a world where people weren't judged on their appearance and people could wear what they like but I agree that some people don't do themselves any favours by not bothering to at least make themselves slighty presentable before leaving the house.

Going out with really greasy hair or wearing skin tight clothes that are way to small that they are bulging out of. I think a lot of it is to do with confidence (or lack of it) and maybe not believing that you are worth looking after or dressing nicely. I know when I am feeling particularly low I don't always feel like looking after myself or making the effort (but I do try to cover up at least and not wear clothes I am going to be bulging out of!)


.

This I think is the whole point of Frump to Fab. Just making the best of what we have, for us never mind what anyone else says or thinks. Doing it for ourselves.

Just spending a little bit of time to make a little bit of an effort, wash and style hair, wash and press clothes, a bit of slap and nail varnish if you feel like it. It does make you feel better.

OK so we may not have the bodies of athletes or supermodels or the face of a beauty queen - it's irrelevant - just making the best of ourselves makes us feel better about ourselves.

Now I know some people disagree. There are some people who will call it vanity or a frivolous waste of time. They are of course entitled to their opinion. But as I've said before it's just about caring - just a little - about ourselves. Would we let our partners walk around looking like tramps or our children look like abandoned orphans or street urchins - of course not - because we love and care for them. Is it so wrong to love ourselves - just a little.

As for being judged by our appearance - yes you are right - you shouldn't judge a book by looking at its cover - and yet .....

Our appearance does speak volumes. If we go around looking like the proverbial bag lady - unkempt, dishevelled, scruffy and smelly - what does it tell the world.

It says we don't care, we are not worthy, we are doormats so just walk all over us.

We don't have to spend a fortune and walk around looking like fashion plates but I do think that a little pride and a little self respect works wonders. It shows people that we are worth something, we are worthy of their respect and they need to treat us right.

It says "Don't mess with me, matey".

Now some people may disagree but I firmly believe that we have to value ourselves first before others can value us.

Here endeth the lesson.;)

faithless

Welcome back WW.
Well done on paid photography work pod.

LL I have 3 pairs of Fitflops, they are completely different to flipflops, are very supportive, you don't have to hold them on, they aren't flat as have arch support, and good for my dodgy knee, I really would recommend them, due to dodgy knees etc I live in them in the summer. Some of the newer ones are prettier than the first ones, suede with flowers on etc.
Their winter shoes and boots aren't very good though.

Weighed this morning and lost a total of 7.25lbs in the 2 weeks I've been following 1200cals a day on myfitnesspal!:D

lessonlearned

Thanks Faithless - can you recommend a good stockist. I've often thought about trying them.

Well done on the weight loss.:T:T

Madrabbitgirl

LL I completely agree with you, I just meant that I can understand why some people do go around looking a little unkempt at times and try not to judge them as when you are feeling low it is easy to let such things slide.

I always make sure I at least make a bit of an effort even on a bad day, I always wear make-up and scent and try to wear nice clothes but I must admit that I am sometimes guilty of looking a little scruffy and sometimes have chipped nails & messy hair. :eek: I don't think it's the end of the world but I do feel a lot better in myself whenever I have made a bit more of an effort and I'd like to think I am getting a little better at it.:)

lessonlearned

Good for you. As we say on here

Remember the Elephant - One Bite at a Time.;)

I look a right scruff this afternoon :rotfl:- but then again I am sanding down furniture.

faithless

lessonlearned wrote: »

Thanks Faithless - can you recommend a good stockist. I've often thought about trying them.

Hmm, I've snapped up my last couple of pairs in online sales, but I think John Lewis, Sole Trader and Charles Clinkard all stock them, hopefully one of those chains will be near you!

Have a quick Google - I'm on my phone so can't post pics/links - I only like the Walkstar II (2) ones and later versions as the first ones - Walkstar I - I find too loose as there's only a canvas strap, whereas the later ones have more padded straps. Depends how big your feet are I guess though, mine are quite narrow so for a snug fit I get a 4 rather than my normal 4.5-5.

WelshWoofer

Faithless - well done on the lost pounds! :beer: A fab result in just 2 weeks! I think the myfitnesspal approach really does work - probably becuase it forces you to take notice of what you're eating and how active you are. Worked for me anyway.

Talking about being active - got bored this afternoon and ending up doing 2 dog walks (20 mins to the shop and then another 30 mins in the park), then forced myself to go for a run and did 4K. It was very hot though so it wasn't my best performance and I think a week of no real running showed. Never mind, its done and I'm back on the wagon:T.
I wish it could just drizzle for my runs and then miraculously brighten up as soon as I get home as its much easier to do in the rain.

evilsquid1603

i only put on 2 pounds over my two weeks in NYC! :j also did two runs last week. thats like a 100% improvement on my exercise in the last few months!

also just got £30 compensation and 14p waived interest of natwest. they've messed my loan payments up once again, "Helpful Banking" my a*se!! :mad: the woman at collections heard my voice and was like, i'm just going to put you straight through to our complaints team!!". they've said they are amending my credit file too so none of their mistakes show up as missed payments on my part.

Madrabbitgirl wrote: »

I do wish we lived in a world where people weren't judged on their appearance and people could wear what they like but I agree that some people don't do themselves any favours by not bothering to at least make themselves slighty presentable before leaving the house.

Going out with really greasy hair or wearing skin tight clothes that are way to small that they are bulging out of. I think a lot of it is to do with confidence (or lack of it) and maybe not believing that you are worth looking after or dressing nicely. I know when I am feeling particularly low I don't always feel like looking after myself or making the effort (but I do try to cover up at least and not wear clothes I am going to be bulging out of!)

There was a woman on the bus the other day wearing sandals and her she obviously had some sort of fungal infection on her toenails, they were yellow and misshapen. I didn't want to look but felt I couldn't stop looking at them & felt slightly ill actually! I'm sure most people would want to cover them up if they had nails like that wouldn't they ?(I know I would!).

my bugbear at the moment is this trend for wearing jeggings as actual trousers. they are not trousers and i don't understand how none of the girls wearing them haven't looked at their behind in the mirror before walking out of the house and realising that the material is so thin and stretched over their bum we can all tell the colour and style of their underwear and all of their lumps and bumps. i've actually seen men in manchester ogling young girls walking through town when they are dressed like this and deliberately walking slowly behind them. you wonder if the girls are so oblibious that they just haven't noticed we can all see their white lacy thong or if its all deliberate to get attention! if thats "fashion" these days i'll eat every single copy of ELLE i own! :rotfl:

fedupandskint

Welcome back WW - sounds a lovely week away. Might give it a go myself at some point next year too

As for me, the only fabness today was 2 longer dog walks then Rin30 tonight after work and a nice compliment from a friend I haven't seen for about 4 weeks telling me the exercise is paying off now from how I look!