The '101 days to change our lives' challenge

elantan

well i have sat and pondered this for days and my list is huge i'm just gonna add a bit here and add more later as i have so much to do and dont want to take over i have decided to start tomorrow and this is how it looks so far (i have posted this on my diary as well to keep me motivated)

In this 101 day challenge I have decided to mainly concentrate on my weight which is a big isssue for me I am currently 15 stone 7 pounds which is far to much for a person my height.In order to loose the excess weight and gain fitness (a fantastic by line) I aim to cut out my biscuits. I need to understand that even thought the sweet factory sells the the most delicious biscuits at £1 a bag and hubby loves them I need to understand I just cant eat them all and to that effect I will be keeping a food diary and doing meal planing. I am also making a concerted effort to get out of bed before 9.30 am unless I’m working , to get out of my pj’s early and do some form of exercise. I have noticed that I don’t even walk 2000 steps a day were meant to walk 10000 a day so I am going to increase my step count to 3000 over the next two weeks then 5000 two weeks after 7500 two weeks after that and the 10000 by the eighth week. I know that I have a hard time working shifts but if I am to make changes to my life I have to do something. I am going to take up a hobby hav’nt decided exactly what yet but something that I really want to do like rock climbing, hill walking or something out doorsy and something indoorsy that I can do if the weather isnt good I am going to ask hubby to join me in this so that we can spend more time together as a couple. Whilst doing an outside sport is great fun I also want to continue with my fire chains I enjoy doing these and will conitnue to learn about them.I have also decided that drinking the amount of alcohol that I do doesn’t help me in anyway to loose weight so I am aiming to cut out alcohol with the exception of when i go to dublin gotta have a guiness or two.

Sea78

Sea78 wrote: »

In the next 101 days I would like to:

1. Lose 1 stone in weight - so 14lbs.
2. Slowly declutter and tidy the house - just to a point where there aren't loads of piles and I find it easier to find things!! I will do this by slowly introducing the Flylady regime and might order the body clutter book from the library to help with no.1 thinking about it!

3. Develop the gardening with the children - will do this by actually checking the plants we planted today and not letting them die. Will rake over a little allotment patch in garden soon too.

Right - well on number 1 I've managed to lose a total of 2lbs - although I actually think it's more than this - will find out fully on Tuesday -- fingers crossed. i've been following SW really well apart from last weekend and hopefully should lose the weight I put on again (must change sig!).
2 - yes - slowly but surely am doing this. Found lost library book today! Will now sort out kids rooms and make them more enjoyable places to be!
3 - hmmm..not going so well. Just don't have enthusiasm for gardening at all. But will transplant the seedlings into pots this weekend.

Sea xxx

Tete_en_l'Air

Hello all. Well, it's been a couple of weeks since my last post, and I have been spending most of my time and effort on one particular goal: my driving test, which I failed this morning So everything else has fallen by the wayside a bit and now I don't even have anything to show for it!! Wah!

These are my goals:

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

Oh nooo! I'm at my overdraft limit again! I don't know how this happened! I haven't been spending on frivolous things really, just had a lot to buy lately. What's worse is that my spending diary is lying forgotten in the bottom of my handbag so in all honesty I don't have a clue where the money's gone!! And, feeling depressed after my test, I went out and bought a new top, and now I've had to shell out another 50 quid for another test! But it really is feasible that I can pay off £1000 by August so I'm going to try and get back on the wagon. Spending Diary starts again as of tomorrow, 1st of June so clean slate.

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

Swimming has been out in favour of driving, but now I have a bit of time before my next test I'm going to make a concerted effort to work this into my routine. Again, tomorrow will be a new start for this.

3) I will pass my driving test.

Ugh. My test today actually went really, really well: I drove lovely I thought, wasn't very nervous once I'd got out of the car park and didn't make any silly mistakes that I'm prone to. I only got 5 Minors (out of a maximum of 15 - so not bad at all). BUT at one point I was passing a parked car and another car was coming in the opposite direction. I proceeded slowly and we fit through fine, but the examiner grabbed the wheel and turned us slightly saying that we'd got a bit too close. This was classed as unsafe and I got a Major fault for it and failed. I was a bit annoyed actually because the examiner said afterwards that we would have fit through, and in fairness the worst that would have happened would be that I'd have knocked the wing mirror, hardly life threatening. I thought a Major fault was a bit harsh. But all in all I'm pleased with my performance today, it's just unfortunate that that car happened to be coming the opposite way up the street at that time. I think I've proved to myself that I can drive ok, can get over my nerves, and passing my test is within the realms of possibility. The most annoying thing is the extra money and time it's going to cost me now. I've booked Test 2 straight away, but it's not until July 19th. I just want it over and done with now. So I'll be phoning the centre every day to see if they have any cancellations. I think my main danger is losing momentum now on this, so really need to keep up the practice. Poor old Dad!!

ANDAN - how are you doing on this? I sympathise that your instructor says you won't be ready for your test within your 101 days, can you at least aim to have booked it within that time? Have you done your Theory? Just keep practising - I think it's something you have to really throw yourself into. Driving only just started to feel natural for me a few weeks ago, I'm sure it'll happen soon for you. Try to get out in your car as often as possible and with as many different people as possible. Good luck!!

4) I will get a secure job.

Day 3: "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."

Day 11: "The post has been approved so we're just waiting for it to go to advert, my boss's boss had a word and said he'd be delighted to see and application from me, so that sounds promising. Still haven't put my CV on Monster Maybe I'll do it now - my CV is nice and updated so it won't take long, just being incredibly lazy!"

STILL waiting for the bloody job to go to advert, have put myself on Monster, but as I say, been concentrating on other things.

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

Hurrah, one thing I'm actually keeping to!! This is getting to be routine now which is great. Still not got perfectskin, but I'm hoping this will come.

So feeling a little bit despondent today. Hopefully it's just like falling off a horse, just need to get back in the saddle! Or behind the wheel as it may be!

Hope everyone else is going ok, it IS quiet on here. I've been loving reading how everyone is doing. BTW - congrats to Swishter on her engagement-how exciting, and I'm not at all jealous!! (Maybe once I DO pass my test I can put my energies into finding an eligible floppy-haired hunk!) And Tigtag, how's the job hunting going? I was sorry to hear about your setback. Chin up luv!

Bye for now xxx

Ess-six

Hi one and all - like everyone, I too am a bit late posting this week - I haven't been sat at my pc for long enough to do my update, but here is my update on day 22:

1. Lose 21lb
Shifted another 2lb, taking me to 7lb so far - well pleased, in fact amazed!

2. Save £1,000 to pay of 0% credit card bill
Have finally done my bank recce and can squirrel away £200, plus have a cheque for £33 for cashback on mobile phone. I'm also saving £2 coins, and have £102 so this will all be going towards my target - so £335 so far.

3. Declutter and raise £200 on Ebay
Had quite a few sales on Monday, so my total stands at £98.64 - although will have to deduct the final sellingfees from this - but very pleased. Have another batch of stuff ready to sell, just need to take the photos.

4. Research my family tree.
Oh dear - does opening up and reading the first couple of paragraph of 'Getting Started in Family History' count.....no, I didn't think so!

Catching up on the posts it seems that most of us are making progress on some of our challenges, and not doing quite so well with the others, but just hang in there folks, and keep chipping away. I've found that by posting my goals it has helped to keep them in my mind, and so far my willpower, which is usually rubbish, is holding firm.

Welcome to the thread Eletan, and good luck!

Tete en l'Air - bacd luck with your driving test, I think you were a bit hard done-to....and that 'your' job is advertised soon!

Not Another Grey Hair - hope you're ok, you haven't posted for a few days.

andan

Hi all,

Its great to see you all doing so well, have been away for a few days so am a little behind with my challenges and need to get my energies back to concentrate on them.

Tete en l'Air, am sorry you didn't pass your test but take heart as some people take up to five test to pass theirs and it sounds like you did excellent to only get five minors. I wouldn't be able to stay as calm as you. Get back on the horse and know that you can do it regardless of how long it takes you. A book worth reading is The girls guide to loosing your L plates by Maria Mccarthy. Its full of practical things written in a humorous way regarding how to go about passing your test and what to do if you don't pass first time round with accounts from other drivers.

Here is my update. Day 18 for me so far in the challenge.

1) Finally pass my driving test (Been learning for almost two years and still rubbish) I agree with my instructor that i won't be ready in that time. i am an incredibly nervous driver and feel like he does, that its better to get me up to such a high standard that despite nerves i will pass the test. i would also rather wait and take the test later than pass based on a fluke. only one lesson for me this week but it went well and i did a good three point turn on my own.

2) Make some new friends (am new to the area and don't really know anyone) Have got chatting to a really nice girl who is like my twin, we have so much in common and are going to meet up next week. she is also new to the area so it feels like were going through it together so am feeling really positive about this one.

3) Tone up this wobbly body of mine. Have put on a few more lbs again, don't know how and am starting to feel a bit down about this but out with the exercise video tomorow.

4)Learn to swim. Am starting my first class on Tuesday.

5) De-clutter my house. Not had chance to do any of this this week as have been on my holiday. Looks like i'm in for a busy weekend then.

6) Get my finances in shape. Finances in order and bills paid so far and accounts looking rather healthy.

7) Read a book a month ( have been reading the same book for almost two years now!) Not only did i finish the book i have been reading for two years but also started and finished another book i have been meaning to read for years and have started on another one. I'm so glad this challenge has encouraged me to get back to my passion of reading.

Everyone seems to have been busy and are making a concerted effort towards their goals. Hope your ok notanothergreyhair. look forward to reading everyones posts, wouldn't have made it this far without them.

Sea78

Got on with number 3 today and have got some plastic plant pots from freecycle today and will pick up tomorrow. Then to replant with the kids on Sun. Also got a gardening with kids book from the library as well as growing herbs (nice and easy!!) book too. Fancy some fresh chives with mylow fat cottage cheese

Well done everyone. Have got back into this challenge now due to Elantan's inspiration!

Sea xx

Hope78

A wee update from me;

1) Take some exercise (at least) once a week. I have done a spin fit class every week. Going to start walking round the local loch (2 miles there, round, and back) with my mum.

2) Eat fruit every day, I do fine Mon-Fri but poor effort at weekends. Not good unless fresh orange counts - will try harder!

3) Lose some weight (no target or anything but will weigh myself every
week just to check). Mum just got new scales today so will be able to start tracking this one. Made a little card like you get at WeightWatchers etc. and have filled it on this morning.

3) Clear my overdraft. I cleared £150 off my overdraft in May so very rproud of myself.

andan

Hi all,

Just wanted to bump this up and see how everyone was getting on. Hope everyone is doing well and keeping at it.

Tete en l'Air have you booked yourself in for another test or are you keeping it quiet?

Will post update soon, start my first swimming class tomorrow so am looking forward to it, hopefully post an update after that.

taxi73

Hi all....
My first challenge was to pay off halifax card then to pay as much as I can off any other...
Halifax paid in full and £111 paid off barclays...
2nd challenge to lose weight...
I have lost 3 lbs...
Sorry not many challenges as i've had an hysterectomy so can't even do anything too energetic..

*zippy*

*zippy* wrote: »

I'm in too

My Goals

1. Lose a stone in weight
I did make a start, but have probably put on what I lost, thinking of joining a slimming club next week
2. Pay £2000 off debt
Well the fact that I don't know how much we have paid off says it all really. Will look at this tomorrow as I haven't been sticking to our budget
3. Work my way right through the house cleaning and de-cluttering
I'm making good progress here, and the house is looking alot better
4. Make at least one new friend
Yes, I still want to make some more effort and I have a few things planned
5. Spend more time together as a family
Yes been working less evenings, but now want to start spending some time each evening doing some revision with our youngest and do more constructive things on the weekend
6. Get new website up and running
erm no

Getting there, but reviewing my goals I see a bit more effort is needed