Frump to Fab - Sizzling Summer Solstice to Awesome Autumn Equinox

podperson

Morning all,

WW - well done on completing the 5k :j:T fantastic achievement, and it's amazing how far you've come in such a short time! Think the mini-goals is a good idea, will have a think and repost later with some.

LL - sorry you're having problems with OH's carers, I do think it's frustrating that people like that are allowed to be carers. Unfortunately I think it's a sign of the economy, companies advertise jobs like that at a low wage, ask for very little experience and then get people applying who don't really have any calling for the job but just need something at the time - and then they wonder why they have a high turnover. A friend of mine ended up applying for 'care' jobs as they were the only places taking on in her area - they paid very little above min wage, didn't bother if you had no care experience or qualifications and routinely asked the staff to work 60+ hour weeks. She worked for one for a few months as she needed the money, and I'm sure she did her best for the people she was assigned to, but I think it's a shame it now seems to be that way rather then them paying a decent wage to people with proper training, qualifications and experience.

adelight - I think I need to say it a few times as well Would agree with others that spending a bit on yourself isn't a bad thing. It doesn't need to be a lot but just little treats can give us a bit of a boost and help keep us on track.

Lizzie - sorry you're being stuck in the middle at the moment. I hope you do manage to have a good think about your options and find something that will work for you. I know it can seem very daunting with so much to think about - but life is short and you don't want to look back and regret that you didn't take the opportunity for you to be happy. x

Anyway, bit of a busy weekend. Didn't end up coming for a meal on Friday but met his mum and dad for a few drinks, which was ok. Then we went out with them and his gran on Sunday day for her birthday. We'd orginally been going to go for a meal with her at night but she'd said earlier in the week she wasn't sure she felt up to it - anyway we asked her again during the day and said we'd take her home in a taxi as soon as she wanted to go and she was fine with that. Which was good but slightly annoying that his mum and dad were just going to go without her cause they wouldn't want to do that and have to leave early. Ended up being a big group as was his aunt's wedding anniversary as well so was quite nice (and was sat at the other end of the table from the annoying uncle :rotfl:)
Didn't realise it was only 3 weeks until the Autumn Equinox - am loving all your mini goals! - really need to get myself in gear. I was doing quite well but then got this stupid cold and have let things slip a lot, have had a pound creep back on, have done no exercise and the calorie counting has gone to pot So will try and get back on track for the equinox and get a few more pounds lost for then.

BabyMad

Hello

Thank you for the nice welcomes, you seem like a fab bunch!!

Congratulations on the 5k WW – a great achievement!

Lizzi – so sorry you’re having a difficult time, hope you can work out a way to happiness as life is too short

LL – I think buying in some help to free up some time to yourself is a great idea, I often toy with the idea of getting a cleaner for that very reason – it seems decadent but then it could very well be the best money I spend each week.

Heebie-jeebies – glad to have inspired you – love that you met someone when you were looking and feeling fab. I am also one of those people that saves things for “best” but I read somewhere that everyday is special so get those nice things out and use them, you deserve it! I have started to take this on board and use my fancy body lotion etc a few days per week. I’m going to try and remember this when getting dressed and put on my new clothes even if we have nothing “special” arranged – like you say spending a day with your OH is special enough!!

As for the mini 3 week challenge, count me in!! I’ll start with these:

• Make healthier food choices at the weekend – I’m getting a lot better at “being good” during the week but tend to go a bit crazy at the weekends encouraged massively by my OH. I would really like to loose a bit more fat so this seems like the next logical step
• Step up my exercise regime – I’ve been doing well at the gym and have made some good progress but the classes seem to be getting a lot easier and I need to put in some extra effort
• Increase the fabbing to include:

- have at least 1 exfoliation & face mask per week
- exfoliate and deep moisturise my body twice per week
- deep condition my hair once a week
- paint my nails at least once a week

I’m also going to try and ensure I continue wearing jewellery from my collection and perfume each day. I’m having a bit of a bad hair day today due to my sheer laziness and usually I would have just had a scruffy day because of that but because of this thread I made the best of it, put on jewellery and perfume so don’t actually feel that bad today – fabulous may be a stretch though!?

maman

:wave: not a great deal to report here other than it's been a lovely, sunny day!

:Ton the 5k yesterday ww. I'm delighted for you, hope you're not feeing too tired today as a result. I suppose your next race will be the 10k in Cardiff. Have you got an event coming up too sparkles?

I managed to do a manicure last night and can't believe how much better my hands look for it. I've taken to keeping a manicure set in the sitting room so I can do it while I'm relaxing of an evening.

Sending you a big hug lizzie. I do hope you managed to get out today especially if you have the lovely weather we're having. It's such a difficult decision to make especially as funds are so low and your OH won't be co-operative. I suppose your priority has to be being near to school for DD so you haven't got a great deal of freedom of choice. Do feel free to rant any time.

Have you been to the doctor about yor cold yet pod? You seem to have been under the weather for weeks now, that's not right.

WelshWoofer

maman wrote: »

:Ton the 5k yesterday ww. I'm delighted for you, hope you're not feeing too tired today as a result. I suppose your next race will be the 10k in Cardiff.

Thanks to everyone for their good wishes for the run:)
On the back of it I've entered the Manchester 10K run in May today - think my success has adled my brain! That will be my second 10K - the first one is the Cardiff one in March.
I've found some local Saturday morning 5K runs that are free so will do a few of those as I go along to try to improve my pace a bit as the distance (hopefully) grows.

Back at work today and it wasn't that bad but there's no kids there yet! If only every day was an INSET day!
I got loads of comments about my appearance - lots of people noticed I'd lost weight and quite a few women said I looked really good - not just the weight but my hair and general appearance (a tan helps!) - so a nice ego boost!

Lizzie - I know how it feels to be in an unhappy relationship, my situation resolved itself with a divorce but whatever you decide I hope it works out for you. Its not an easy situation, especially with kids.

Babymad - a fab list of goals!

Right, the dog has been to the park for a good run but I'll take him for a 30 mins walk later to get some more strenuous exercise for myself (no running or swimming today, giving the legs a rest). Need to get some healthy tea done and make tomorrow's lunch to stay on the straight and narrow.

ETA _ i forced myself to do my toenails and feet and tidy my eyebrows last night - the worst two jobs after hair dyeing! Look vaguely presentable now. I was like a kid before the first day at school - bath, defuzz, nails, toenails, eyebrows and getting clothes ready - felt like I was starting a new job not going back to my normal one, 6 weeks is a long time to be off (not that I'm complaining!)

fedupandskint

Good evening everyone, hope all is well.

As for me today, saw a neighbour who I haven't seen for quite a while who commented on how I looked like I had lost weight still since last time we spoke. Explained it must be the toning exercises as I wasn't trying to lose weight any longer. A nice smile there!

Dragged myself out for a run. Went ok 4miles or 6k in 36 mins. Not too bad after 3mths off but felt quite slow at times. Better than the 40mins I expected it to take.

What else - a rush of blood to the head when mooching around a cheap shoe shop at lunch time and decided I wanted to continue to wear heels into autumn as I've spent all summer in a pair of lovely platform wedges. Tried on a pair of slim platform court shoes in black leather. Had a look and they looked lovely. It is so rare for me to find a pair of shoes that fit I thought I might buy these. Anyway had a look online, found a discount code to get 20% off making them a more reasonable price and I ordered them with free delivery! Did have a little thought of 'have I turned into my mother wearing black court shoes to work?'. Not that she would have worn ones like these with a lovely thicker heel and platform! Also wondered if I was growing up at long last! Heels during the day, who would have thought that a couple of years ago? Nice to fee the confidence to wear what I want rather than wanting to hide away in a corner not wanting anyone to notice me.

Bring on the fabness!

lizzie157

Thanks for your kind words. Yes it's a bad situation and I am conscious that I'm not getting any younger but unless I manage to get a well paid job I think I'm going to find it difficult to move out, however I have decided that I'm going to get some advice (I have tried in the past but have received incorrect info- which isn't helpful at all)

Did manage to get out yesterday but no with DD2 as she wanted a last day hanging out with her mates. Went for a walk with the dogs and DS3 instead.

Well it's back to school for DD2 today, so time to look at my routines or lack of again. So here's my 3 week aims.

1)Have let the calorie counting slip over the last few days so it's back to that today and will weigh myself tomorrow. Need to carry on with this.
2)Will try and sign up for the yoga on Thurs when I go for my next jobcentre interview.
3)Have also let the 10 mins a day slip so re-start this.

Also need to go back to my list making as my new OU course starts in a couple of weeks so need to organize myself.
Right must get on shopping to do, the house needs some fabbing and the dogs need a walk.
Have a good day.

podperson

Morning all,

Just a quick one this morning. Decided not to go down to visit family this weekend, did want to see my mum as it's her birthday on Sat but the trains are so expensive and my uncles are visiting as well so is going to be a bit manic anyway. Will try and get down before the end of the month. Since I already had the Friday booked off work am going to take a quiet day - have sorted a doctor's appointment for my cold, can't seem to shift it so might need some anti-biotics - is more in my chest now and it just feels really tight. Is also putting me off getting any exercise done, if I walk too quick up the hill home at the moment it sets me off coughing so don't quite dare go back on the shred or the couch25k at the moment
Have been trying to eat a bit better - back on the calorie counting and have got some stuff in for lunches.
Choir tonight, am probably going to nip into town first and try and find something for my mum - no clue what though!
Hope everyone has a good day x

Tiggger

podperson wrote: »

Choir tonight, am probably going to nip into town first and try and find something for my mum - no clue what though!
Hope everyone has a good day x

Could you get Your Mum some sort of "fabbing" voucher, like a voucher for a manicure or hairdo. I've rung Mum's salon and paid over the phone before now. They might even post it out if you asked, or you could send her a card to collect her present from ..... Or send her a message on some flowers, depending on how much you want to spend.

What about a new lipstick or nail polish if you want something small to post? Could you put a bit of a pamper pack together in a pretty box?

Hope this helps or triggers some ideas:)

podperson

Thanks Tiggger
She's not really that into salons or things like that but the pamper box is a nice idea. Have got her a dvd at weekend as just tend to get her a few bits rather then one big thing so just need some things to go with it - tbh I usually buy online which I find much easier but have left it a bit too late this year. Was going to get her some bits for her holiday in about 4/5 weeks but now every time I mention it she says something along the lines of she's waiting to see what happens with the heart tests - so I don't want to get her something and then she can't go!

maman

podperson wrote: »

Thanks Tiggger
She's not really that into salons or things like that but the pamper box is a nice idea. Have got her a dvd at weekend as just tend to get her a few bits rather then one big thing so just need some things to go with it - tbh I usually buy online which I find much easier but have left it a bit too late this year. Was going to get her some bits for her holiday in about 4/5 weeks but now every time I mention it she says something along the lines of she's waiting to see what happens with the heart tests - so I don't want to get her something and then she can't go!

Why not just send her the DVD this week and then take her something when you visit? That really would be enough. She could have an extra present this year too for her holiday if all works out.

I know this isn't very mse but I was thinking about what LL said about spending a little on yourself. Then in this morning's paper there's a feature on 'me gifts'. Apparently, there are companies that for a monthly subscription will deliver gifts to you like make up/smelly surprises or more varied things. Now I'm not suggesting that but you know how it is when you go Christmas shopping and you're stuck for an idea for someone else but you see loads of things you'd like for yourself! One feature that really is common on this thread is that everyone seems to be locked into putting others first whether that's partners, employers, children, parents....the list is endless. We've taken a step by grabbing back some 'me' time to get fab now I'm thinking I might focus on buying myself a present.

Out for a meal tonight. Only cheap and cheerful (carvery probably) but will definitely make an effort to look good. It improves my confidence no end.