Frugal Frump to Fab-u-lous Dharrrrrrrling Winter Solstice to Spring Equinox

lizzie157

oh Hewie I am so sorry. Nothing else to say except I am thinking of you and your family. I know it helps to get it all out so please if it helps you we are all here for you. xx

podperson

Hi all,

Back home this afternoon and just been trying to catch up with you all! Welcome back Carmen - we missed you! - and welcome to all the newbies.
Sorry so many of you hadn't had the best of Christmases. Mine has been a little up and down as well I must admit. Was rather strange not to see OH on the day, my grandma also wasn't well enough to come out for the day - she's in a sort of halfway place at the moment between the hospital and a care home. Went to visit her a few times while I was down, she's very up and down - one day she was just confused, didn't really know me, constantly anxious and upset, the next day she just slept and couldn't really wake her for more than a few mins, the next day again she wasn't too bad and seemed to know what was going on and who we all were. It's hard on my dad and aunt I think to never know what they'll find each day. Had a bit of a weep on OH when I got home as won't be able to afford to get back down for at least a few months so don't know if I'll get to see her again now. It's crazy because she was fine back in September, living in her own house, fairly independent, in pretty good health - never dreamed of such a quick decline.
Hewie - sending you *hugs* - at least my grandma is in her 90s, must be even more heart-breaking when it's your mum x

Anyway, trying to be more positive - is good to be home, going to have a wee drink with OH tonight I think and we'll spend the day together tomorrow, maybe have a look round the sales - got a bit of money for Christmas so see if there's anything I fancy. Haven't gone nuts over Christmas with the food and drink but am going to make some changes for the new year I think. Have got rather lazy with 'quick and easy' foods and no exercise so need to start making more of an effort.

fedupandskint

Welcome one and all to the new thread - good luck everyone!

WW - I am already joined to the Boot camp with Extreme Shred and Shed, running then its onto X-Trainfit for 12 weeks starting probably after the spring solstice

I too think I have gained a bit over the last couple of weeks - have gone a bit bonkers with treats and chocolate over this week but it will come back to normal next week and including the exercise too should help everything get back to the usual point of weight by the end of Jan when we have another big leaving do for 3 colleagues ans I am determined to look mighty fab for this!

esmy

Afternoon all

My thoughts with those of you having a hard time at the moment. Things often seem to come to a head at Christmas and the New Year starting always makes me re-evaluate my life so I’m not surprised it’s been a time for some to make big decisions about relationships. Nothing like that going on here but OH still unwell and miserable and would like the rest of us to join him in his misery (which we are determined we won’t!)

Been MIA for a few days. Done a bit of sale shopping – new jeans and a couple of smarter tops and a swimming costume (see below!) but was decidedly underwhelmed on the whole – and visiting family today. Just checked opening times of the local pool as DD2 and I plan to start swimming once per week so a proper defuzz in order so I’m decent. Got lots of lovely smellies for Christmas, ‘posh’ stuff I’d never think of buying for myself, so this weekend I’m also planning a sort out of the toiletries knocking around the house and using up/binning as necessary.

I have been avoiding the scales for months but I am going to weigh myself tomorrow. I have overeaten badly over Xmas and I suppose I need to know the damage. House still full of goodies but I’ve a few birthdays coming up so the choccies can be regifted (if that’s a word) – better on someone elses waistline!

heebie-jeebies

Hello all,

I'm not sure if anyone remembers me from before but I haven't joined the thread for a while.

Hewie - so sorry to hear of your Mum's deterioration. I am thinking of you and your family x

2012 hasn't been a good year so I am starting 2013 positively. I had a nice Xmas though as we drove home to England and stayed with our families for a week, had the chance to catch up with a lot of friends and family which was lovely as we don't get to see them all often.

My 3 month goals:
- more exercise
- de-cluttering and house fabbing
- make-up and cleansing routine
- continue taking care of nails

Short term:
I turn 30 on 6th Jan and have booked dinner at my fave restaurant the night before so want to look fab-u-lous!

Carmen

Hi Pod :wave::wave: It's good to be back.
Missed you and my twinnie very much. What happened to Mrs Wolf?

Welcome back Savvyjade and heebieJ
Welcome Wahini

((Hewie)) you are in my thoughts.

Goodnight all

Carmen xx

WelshWoofer

Hello to all the regulars, the returners and the newbies! We're rapidly expanding (but in a good way ).

Had a good day with regards to food and exercise yesterday - as a result I felt a bit less bloated today so did a sneaky weigh in and I'm down 1lb:)
I know that most of the extra weight is just water weight (to borrow a phrase from myfitnesspal) from eating high sodium foods (crisps, nuts, various other naughties) and that it will slowly drain away but a pound or two will be good old fashioned flab . So its back to working hard and being good.
I'm determined to get back to my lowest weight within a week or two and then lose another few lbs. I have the first 10km run for charity in just over 2 months time so the leaner and meaner I am the better:rotfl::rotfl:

The weather is dreadful here today - really high winds and pouring rain - so no running today, will go swimming instead. Not looking forward to the dash from the changing rooms to the pool in a swim suit:eek: and to think that a few weeks ago I was fairly happy with the way I looked.
Onwards and downwards!

Did my good deed for the day yesterday and called in to see if an older lady that I often see when walking the dog was ok or needed anything after having a new hip done just before Xmas - she was thrilled to see me (and I don't really know her that well).
I've offered to walk her little dog with mine until she's back on her feet properly and she was so chuffed that she got a bit tearful. Made me realise that even tiny little things make a massive difference to people so one of my new resolutions is to try to do something nice each day - even if its just a compliment or saying hello.

Right, I'd better get on with the day - hope everyone has a good one.


Forgot to add - someone asked what my January fitness goal was (can't remember who sorry) - I'm going to do the same as I did in November because it worked - run and walk a minimum of 100km, I should get to this fairly easily with the run training but it will be a good way to track how far I've done and to motivate me to carry on.

lessonlearned

Good morning all and a nice big warm welcome to all newbies - so nice to "see" so many new faces. And of course it's lovely to say hello again to "old" friends.

Sorry Carmen - don't know where Mrs Wolf is - wherever you are Mrs W hope all is well. Do drop by and say hello if you have time...

Up with the lark this morning, felt a bit off it yesterday - I think it's just tiredness. This house moving malarky is exhausting. It would help if I didn't have so much stuff.....

As well as de-cluttering myself - ie lose at least 2 stones next year I am adamant I will also de-clutter my house and my life.

I intend to embrace a life of "elegant simplicity". :rotfl:

Started well this morning, yoghurt for breakfast. Definitely need to stop eating so much wheat trouble is when you are really busy it's easier to just grab a sandwich and biscuit or three.:o

I really feel heavy, bloated and uncomfortable. Still only a week or so and then we'll be completely moved and I will have more time to shop and cook healthy nutritious food. I can unpack and continue de-cluttering at my leisure.

I had a good look round the new garden, there is a greenhouse and a shed. I've always wanted both of these. I'm also keeping my little portable pop-up greenhouse so I'm hoping to grow lots of healthy salads and vegetables.

I've already moved my fruit trees and bushes that are in pots so hopefully lots of apples. plums, cherries and blueberries. raspberries and strawberries next year.
I've also decided to keep the veg table that I bought for OH. We will probably be in the new house for around a year so I will have a full growing season.

Wahini Betty - you talk about laziness. Don't be harsh on yourself - we all fall by the wayside. I'm not certain that it is laziness. I think we just get so wrapped up in "stuff" that we forget to set aside a little time for ourselves.

One thing I am acutely aware of is the passage of time. I think this is probably age related. I am now 61 and I sometimes think that I'm running out of time.

So - ladies my main focus this year is to make more of my time, less time fretting and worrying, less time watching TV, more time spent with friends, more time getting out and about and having fun.

My mantra for this year will be "Make Every Day Count".

So every day I will be bathed and fragrant, well groomed and dressed for success. I will amaze everyone with my fabulousness.

I will do something nice, a walk, coffee or lunch with a friend, visit my loved ones or have them visit me, potter about doing hobbies and things I enjoy and that make me happy.

I will go on a couple of holidays.

I will stop existing and start living again. I'm going to make a bucket list and start doing some of things I need/want to do - before it's too late and I'm too decrepit to do them:rotfl:

But first time to pack some more boxes .......

BTW - I opened a cupboard yesterday and a heavy plastic mug landed right on my face near my eye. I have a right shiner.:rotfl:

No more cluttered cupboards from now on.

Hewie - hope all goes well today with your mum's transfer.

Have a lovely day everyone.

lessonlearned

WW - just read your post. What a lovely thing to do. I agree it's the little things that make such a difference. I bet you made that lady's day.

Without sounding like little Miss Goody Two Shoes, this is something I do try and keep in mind. Sometimes all it takes is just a few words.

Last week I was really busy and as I was getting out of my car I noticed my recently widowed neighbour hovering, waiting to say hello. I invited him in for a cup of tea, he stayed for over an hour and I know he really enjoyed it. It cost me nothing except a teabag and a few biscuits but I know it lifted his spirits a little.

I always make a point of popping my head round another elderly lady's door that I know. She is always so pleased to see me.

I'm sorry if I come over as all "Mother Theresa" but I do find that a little kindness goes a long way and it makes me feel good too - win-win.

Sometimes when we are busy, stressed, unhappy, anxious or depressed, we forget that some people are all alone and really appreciate a bit of human contact - especially in the cold dark days of winter when they are more housebound.

One day this may be us. :eek:

mineallmine

Morning all,

I'm going to introduce new habits gradually.

So at the moment these are:

- do a 5 minute groom/pamper every day. Today was filing my feet! And a couple of physio exercises.
- eat fruit. Forget 5 a day, 1 is a miracle. We do eat lots of veg. So I'm starting small to eat just 1/2 to begin with.
- today is juice day. I will eat normally too. But will make up some fresh juices to feed my body with nutrition.
- dog walk.

So these are daily habits I'm aiming towards. If I miss a day I won't beat myself up.

It was me WW asking about your next fitness target. That sounds like a great plan

:j