The '101 days to change our lives' challenge

Callisto

Lose weight, aiming for 1/2 a stone Can't find the scales, but I have taken my measurements as a starting point. I've consciously been thinking about food choices and only eating when hungry. I've also cut out the majority of sugary drinks and replaced with water. I've only managed to get on my stepping machine once so far this week, and did seven minutes.

Find additional ways to raise money for wedding. I'm responding to all survey invites that come my way, I'm over half way to getting the payout from You Gov, but it could take months! Still thinking of other ways to raise cash, second job out of question atm as have to work late shifts and weekends in current job.

Research new careers as really unhappy in current job. Nothing researched so far on new career front, but have seen a new job to apply for as current job in a call centre is really getting me down. Will be seriously looking upon my return from holiday next weekend.

Tete_en_l'Air

Hello again all,

Oops - don't worry about putting on weight, it's universally agreed is it not that it's better to be carrying a few extra pounds than to be a smoker so keep it up!! :T

Well, I'm on my Day 3 and it's not going AMAZINGLY well it has to be said...

1) I want to get my overdraft down to £1000.

Well, my current bank balance shows an improvement, but this is because I get paid weekly so have just been paid on Friday, but then gave my driving instructor a cheque for £150 on Saturday, which hasn't shown up yet. I've been keeping my spending diary devotedly and it's scary how little purchases really add up without you realising. It's been quite an expensive weekend as well, as I went to visit a friend and we went out for dinner and for a few drinks. Tried to be as MoneySaving as possible tho - got 2for1 meal at Wagamama thanks to a voucher I found on this site, and we bought wine by the bottle as it works out cheaper than by the glass...
I have also just gone and bought a new dress for my friend's wedding, but in my defence I bought it on eBay for £50 less than it's selling in the shops so it could be worse!

2) I want to swim at least twice a week, preferably three times.

I had already been twice last week, but on Friday (my first day of this challenge) I couldn't be bothered. Eeks - must do better. It's my intention to go every night after work unless I have other plans - none of this not-feeling-like-it business!

3) I will pass my driving test.

Oh dear on this count too. I failed a mock test yesterday morning! BUT, I don't feel too bad about it, it's helped me to see what I need to improve on. And it wasn't anything too serious, just a silly mistake which I didn't recover from quickly enough, leading to more silly mistakes. My general driving is getting better and better so hopefully this will bring more confidence and stop those silly mistakes that are letting me down.

4) I will get a secure job.

Well I had my PDR on Friday and boss said that they've asked for a permanent post to be created doing basically what I'm doing now, only getting about four grand a year more for doing it. Once they've had it approved they'll be putting it through as quickly as possible and I've been encouraged to apply, which I will. I plan to put my CV up on Monster this week as well as I know a few people who have been contacted in this way.

I'm adding a fifth, jumping on the bandwagon with:

5) I will cleanse my face every night before bed.

I have done this every night so far and feel very virtuous indeed!

So although I haven't made an awful lot of progress, it helps just to have these goals on my mind, and it's very motivating to think that I'm actually doing something about my problems rather than being an ostrich. Hope everyone else is doing okay, and best of luck for the week ahead!

KarrieB

I've just found this thread and it could be the kick up the !!!! I need. If i'veworked this out right I will finish on 21/08. And before then I will:

1. Lose a stone. I'm heavier now at 9st 8 than I have ever been. being on anti depressants doesn't help but neither does being a couch potato!

2. Do an exercise DVD or go to the gym at least 3 times a week. Planning to cancel my gym membership this month as it's just a waste of money but need it at the moas training for Race for life.

3. Ebay all the clothes that I will never wear again. So never going to be a size 6 again!

4. Finish my masters. Don't have much choice about this but will help me to monitor my progess.

More may get added but these are most important right now.

notanothergreyhair

Just a quick note to HOPE78 and KARRIEB to wish you all the best and that it is not too late to join the challenge.

mystery07

mystery07 wrote: »

What a fantastic idea for a post!

I will join you all if thats ok. I dont post here that often, as seem so strapped for time. Well, Ive already started making a few changes this last few months, but had decided in the last couple of weeks that I needed to kick myself up the bum...so this should help.

My goals for the next 101 days are:

1) Stick to a spending diary (I keep forgetting to do this)Lapsed this one oops!!!
2) Eat healthier & eat more in general Doing ok, with this. Eating a bit more & a cooked meal every evening, so thats good!
3) Reduce grocery spend. Budget is £150 a month & Im still (somehow ) spending more than this!Overspending! Not sure that I can do this one!
4) Try to pay off Next account which is £1300 (tbh even paying half of this would be good!)Now down to £1188, so some small progress!
5) Try again to switch credit cards/change ISA Got a new credit card, so I can finally balance transfer! Hoorah! And opened new ISA (just need to close old one!) got 50 quid in it, cant afford to save much more until debts are paid!
6) Ebay, Ebay, Ebay (got loads to sell, just getting the hang of it now!)Havent started!
7) Re-start matched betting, (made a small profit a month or so ago, but not done anything more with that!) Got a few days holiday booked at the end of the month, so going to start again then!
8) work towards being in a financial position to change jobs in order to reduce working hours (I know this is a bit vague, but reducing my debts, will be a step towards being able to do this) Well, got a new card, to balance transfer to, so this is a step towards reducing my debts & a step towards being in a position to change jobs!
9) Get prepared for OU course starting sept (this year, has been REALLY hard going) Think I may push this out to the Feb course, to give me more time to clear debts!
10) Go to see GP & do something about my health issues Not done! Yet!
11)spend more quality time with my son Had a fantastic weekend with him, so really chuffed!
12) stop being so disorganised in general trying, trying, trying!
13) Become nicotine patch free! And smoke free! (Im on patches now, need to keep that up without re-starting smoking!) Still on patches, but no ciggarettes for 2 weeks! This has been hard, but it has to be done!
14) Realise that I do not have time for a man & except it! God, for the 1st time in ages, I havent thought about meeting anyone or wanting to or anything! This is good.
15) Stick to my budget Lapsed a bit this week, overspent on food. But otherwise, not been doing too bad, for me anyway! Need to keep an eye on this though!

Think thats most of my plans. It would be good to achieve some of them within 101 days. Even if I cant manage every single one.

To achieve goals, I will:
Keep spending diary with me at all times & include budget within that to help me not overspend. Sell some stuff on ebay & get matched betting to pay off next account. Im going to speak to my bank next week to see if they will give me a credit card to switch my existing debts too (as no one will lend to me - for some obscure reason!).

Will think through everything else I want to do & come up with a more specific plan to the "101 days" & update this post. Think, this is probably enough for to conquer for now actually!
Good luck to everyone else wanting to change their lives too!

Mystery xxx

Anyway, thats my 1st update. Ive been so busy, trying to sort money & stuff out, that Ive barely had time to read or port.

Had a quick look at the other posts. Well done everybody! :j Keep up the good work & think how far we will have all come by 8th august.

Mystery xxx

Ingela

Update on my targets:

i have three main targets:

1) move out of OH's parents house.
I'm basically ready to do this, just need to keep pushing OH to get his credit card paid off and then he will be. I think i'm getting somewhere with this, have finally got the OH to actually talk properly about it, and he has put in for some council houses, which i dont think we'll get, but its a start!

2) Pay at least my credit card and computer off, so currently 1.3k.
Would love to do more, but i think this is realistic, especially if it's going to coincide with number 1. Have paid off approximately £10 so far! but my payments generally come at the end of the month.

3) Lose about 8lbs.
I'm not overweight, but im much less toned than i used to be, and my clothes are starting to feel different. Being sat at a desk all day is bad for this, and i think i may need to find the money to join the gym. Also in with this is to drink more water and eat more fruit!Am definitely doing better with this one! finally noticed on friday that the shop where i buy my lunch does 1.5l bottles of water for 4p more than 1l bottles! :rolleyes: so have drunk one of them on friday and am filling it up to bring to work for the rest of the week. No more spending money on water!!

auntie_brenda

auntie_brenda wrote: »

As I go on holiday (:j :j :j :j :j ) 10th Aug the 101 days to 8th Aug is great for me....

So - 1. lose 2 stone you fat slob. 2. exercise (was going to say more, but an extra turning over in bed would constitiute more for me at the moment ) 3. pay 1k off my debts

To do this - 1. stop over eating you fat slob. Oops
2. Walk and exercise bike. Swim if I can stop being a girlie and keep head out of water - otherwise it makes my neck worse. Started this morning. Have done 15 mins on exercise bike. Will do 10 every morning & night at least 5 times a week from now on.
3. Hmmmmm....... need to maximise every opportunity for extra income, as 1k = £9.90 a day :eek: . So, clicks, ebay, paid surveys, quidco (:lovethoug), mystery shopping (loads about but generally just paying for your meal. As most are [strike]crap[/strike] wonderfully nutritious but not necessarily low calorie outlets there is a balance to strike here......) Not much out there, but earned £1.50 on a survey the other day and due a payment of around £60 from Gapbuster so doing my best.

GOOD LUCK EVERYONE :hello:

Verdict - must do better. :mad:

tigtag02

Well, I lost a bit and saved a bit!

Not as much as I would have like on either account but some is better than none

joeblack066

joeblack066 wrote: »

I like this!! Count me in! My goals are;

To lose 2st in weight (exercise and diet).Have lost 7lbs so far another weigh in due atthe end of the week!
To maximise my earning potential, to enable me to clear my debts quicker and afford some kinda life!Have cleared a £441 debt with a F&F settlement , gosh that feels gud. Plus earned £100 woring for a friend, and my boss says that she will give me overtime when I go permanent cos she knows I am struggling!
To have some 'me' time...all I do is work and family....think subconciously this has been a defence mechanism since the break up of my last relationship, but now's the time for it to CHANGE!!Am going to see the guy that I had a date with back in March to see if we can find a way to have a proper relationship, as we both like each other very much, it's just distance and silly shifts preventing us!!

This IS a great thread, that all sounds so positive, I feel much better now!

ShirleyPark_2

My goals were
1. Reduce my debt to my mother to £3500 and pay off my car loan.
Have been trying to limit the amount I spend and managing to flog some of the clutter.

2. Make good progress on getting the dining room finished.
Finally have a quote for the replastering, but can't get it done for a month as the guy is fully booked.

3. Finish off the garden.
Not done anything as it's been raining

4. Get more fit and healthy.
Must try harder on the exercise front. Eating has generally been ok, but I still have very disordered eating, got a book from the charity shop which may help with that.

5. Pass my exam at the end of July.
Studying going reasonably well.