Frugal Frump To Fabulous Summer Solstice to Autumn Equinox

Bitsy_Beans

Hello m'dears, ladies, gents and lurkers Please feel free to come and join me on this thread.
Another three months have gone by, far too fast in my opinion but hey ho not much I can do to slow down the passage of time.

For any newbies this is the premise of the thread. We evolve, slowly (for some, namely me) but surely from those frumpy moths to beautiful butterflies (sorry moths it ain't personal but you wear too much brown for my taste). Anyway it all starts with changing one habit at a time. Brush that hair, slap a bit of lippy on, perhaps think about wearing other colours other than black (this was sooooo me) and repeat after me......"I am NOT a bag lady"

Bottom line is changing your habits and replacing them with new ones is a marathon not a sprint. Take as many baby steps as you need, after all you didn't become a frump overnight. However the important thing is to actually TAKE THAT STEP. Do that and you can take another and another and another.......

So first step is to wear perfume. Every day. Doesn't take long to do, seconds to squirt it on. It's not going to slow you down or get in the way of your busy day but its a reminder that you're worth taking care of. If you don't like perfume thats OK, perhaps find a shower gel or scented soap you can use in the shower or bath. Or if you can't use those sorts of items maybe make an effort to wear a favourite piece of jewellery, whatever works for you

Link to the old thread is HERE


Wow. It's 21st again. How did that get here so fast?!
Right. Goals. Um.....yeah. Getting slimmer. My nemesis. My arch rival. My Mount Everest. It would appear that I can change nearly everything else except this aspect. I am still sticking with the fasting, although it isn't all about the WL for me I am drawn to the health benefits but I do need to get over this stumbling block of 500 calories. I can easily do 700 but 500 I find hard. Anyway I am not about to give up, going to keep chipping away at it.

Am off to have my eyes tested this morning. I expect many of you also do this but it reminded me about general tests we ladies have to ensure that are a darn sight more intimate than looking in my eyes So just a timely reminder not to put off those smears or mammograms or any other health issue that's been niggling you. Go have them, they really can save your life in the long run.

Ok sermon over.

Been doing some yoga last few days, really need to remind myself a) how much I enjoy it and b) how bloody hard it can be!!!! Not sure how they claim its not cardiovascular.........holding myself in plank for 2 mins has me wobbling and out of breath in no time.

Right I've waffled long enough for now. Look forward to the next three months with you lovely lot :T

lessonlearned

Oooh lovely shiny new thread. Thanks Bitsy.

Will be back later to catch up on the gossip and all your doings.;)

evilsquid1603

thanks for the new thread bitsy!

just popping in, I'll be back later on with a full post, long story short I'm getting the last of my stuff from exOH this evening so I'm mentally preparing myself with very strong coffee, chocolate and Vogue in my lunch hour!

katiecat

Hello is it ok if I join in? I have been reading the thread for a while now and need to make a start. May not be able to post much -just getting ready to visit parents,both not in the best of health. Dad has Parkinsons and Mum is 79 and exhausted, trip is 170 miles each way,staying for few days this time as Dad has hospital appt on Monday and my sister:A needs some help to get him there.

We muddle on and support each other with many tears thrown in when it all becomes too much but....

Back to being possitive going to have a shower and put on something nice for the journey and a splash of perfume Lets see what cn be achieved in the next three months.

Katiecat

Bitsy_Beans

Katiecat welcome, of course it's OK to join in, regular posting is not required. Safe trip to see your parents, I don't have parents with health issues but I know from Lessonlearned how exhausting, physically and emotionally it can be. Have a hug xx

Squid stay strong and just remember that Caro Emerald song when you go

WelshWoofer

Afternoon all!
A lovely new thread - thanks Bitsy!

Well, the last challenge was a mega one for me - I managed to lose the few pounds that had crept on, work was good (will be promoted in Sept), bought some nice clothes that suit my shape and don't make me look like a granny (I'm 41) and, most surprising of all, was bowled over by a man that was totally unexpected and has turned out to be thoroughly fab!
I have been reawakened as a woman :rotfl::rotfl:

Tonight I'm being left to my own devices - so will do the cleaning, and then get a bit of fabbing done - face scrub, bit of tanning, cut and file my nails and paint my toenails. Oh, and a couple of big glasses of wine - it is Friday!:beer:

fedupandskint

Good evening fellow fabbers - wow those last 3 months have flown by at supersonic speed!

My fabbing goals are all nicely ingrained now thanks to paticipating on this thread for 18mths too

I fabbed myself today in my favourite abstract leopard print prefectly suitable for work dress with blue wedges, sparkly blue earrings and a metal bow belt in honour of the Summer Solstice and had a nice compliment about my outfit.

A totally excellent surprise on WI day with a 2lb loss - get in! A surprise as not trying to lose any more weight and 6 weeks of maintaining too.

This weekend is full of study for me, half the house is fabbed up leaving half to get on with this weekend - oh the life!

lessonlearned

Hello everyone,

Welcome Katiecat - hope your visit to your parents goes well.

Sparkles - loving the Solstice outfit.

Evilsquid - good luck hon tonight, stay strong, B]focus on you[/B]

WW - Enjoy your bit of "me" time. I shall be joining you in the vino in a bit.

Bitsy - great opening post, very inspirational.

I agree with your advice on the health-care checks. We make sure our families get checked out but so often put our own needs on the back burner. Don't forget to give yourselves a good MOT now and again.

My but how time flies.......What have I done........


Well - without being too immodest - I think I have moved small mountains this last few months.

Did up and sold my house, moved into rented, got to grip with my finances at last, overseen some changes in OH's care and managed to finally make a start on sorting out mum and dad's care needs.

We are on track with our house purchase and I have a little secret that I soon hope to share with you. Keeping it under my hat for now;).

I have not lost any weight and I'm still rather more unfit than I would like but I have managed to maintain some simple fabbing routines. After a while they really do become second nature - you just do them without thinking.

So to any newbies - I second the advice already given today. Just start nice and easy and steadily build up.

OK - goals - starting right here right now.

1. Re-introduce the 5:2 fasting regime. Like Bitsy I want to do this for health reasons. I know I have a genetic disposition to Type II diabetes and by all accounts the 5:2 regime can prove beneficial at combating diabetes risk.

I do have regular tests and so far so good but I am very conscious that I am at risk. For the last few weeks I have made a real effort to improve my diet, reducing carbs, making sure I get my 5 F&V a day. I want to up that to at least 7.

2. 30 mins exercise a day.

3. Get more sleep and rest.

4. Get out more and have some fun........

That will do for starters.:rotfl:

evilsquid1603

Hello everyone! thank you for all the encouragement today!

Well i got all my stuff! ExOH was being lovely to me, tears welling up again and everything!

He text me yesterday lunch saying he was leaving tomorrow and if I wanted my things I'd have to go and get them that night. Just before I left to go over, I checked Facebook and saw that the housemate had people over! There was no way I was putting myself in that situation so I said to just bin it all. Later on I got more dramatics and "this is because of my letter isn't it?!" So I told him what I saw and that I couldn't believe he would put me in that situation! He said that he thought I'd have been in and out by then and he was sorry and that if I wanted I could go tonight. When I said I thought you were leaving tomorrow and it had to be tonight, he's suddenly not leaving until Sunday! I think he's incapable of telling the truth.

Also, the acknowledgement of service came today so I officially don't need him for anything anymore!!!! :beer::beer::j:T:T:j:beer::beer:

I was thinking of how far I've come in these three months, yes they've been hell at times, but I'm out the other end now. I've got myself out a situation and proved to myself in strong enough to do it.

I've lost a bit of weight, nothing major but it's a start! I can finally make a real attempt now without it being sabotaged by exOH at every given opportunity.

I'm off into town tomorrow, selling my wedding ring and engagement ring. I've seen a ring on the Tiffany website, pretty reasonable (for Tiffany!) at £250, its silver with a tiny diamond in it. I'm thinking of buying it myself as a reminder of how far I've come and that I am strong enough to do whatever I put my mind to!

lizzie157

Bitsy_Beans wrote: »

I am still sticking with the fasting, although it isn't all about the WL for me I am drawn to the health benefits but I do need to get over this stumbling block of 500 calories. I can easily do 700 but 500 I find hard. Anyway I am not about to give up, going to keep chipping away at it.

Am off to have my eyes tested this morning. I expect many of you also do this but it reminded me about general tests we ladies have to ensure that are a darn sight more intimate than looking in my eyes So just a timely reminder not to put off those smears or mammograms or any other health issue that's been niggling you. Go have them, they really can save your life in the long run.

Hi all,
Thanks for the lovely new thread:)
Bitsy like you i struggle to stick to 500 cals which is why my weight loss has been really slow but i HAVE lost weight so stick at it. I figure that it is still a reduction so it should still reap some benefits. Along the way i've learnt to eat smaller portions, i still snack on the wrong things just not quite so much and though ideally weight calculators say i need to lose another stone i'm happy with what i've acheived. i still have a bit of weight round my stomach but hey i've given birth 5 times so i think that's only to be expected.
Keep at it you'll get there:)

I have really needed an eye test for the past 2 yrs and as my dad has eye problems which can be inherited so thanx for the reminder i really need to sort that.

Welcome katiecat :wave:.

LL so glad your Dad's cancer hadn't returned. Hope you and WW enjoyed your soltice celebrations.


Well it's time for me to reflect on my progress so far and set or re-set some goals.

1: i have lost weight now need to try and do yoga a bit more to firm up my body and nurture my mind.
2: have made some progress on the business front but need to focus and continue to press on with my plans
3: need to go to bed earlier (didn't manage this )
4: back to 15 mins at least! per day pampering - this has also slipped

Think 'll leave it at that for now, the basics as you say LL are now a habit just need to build on that a bit.

Feeling the pressure a bit again here DD1 has debt problems caused by both her recent stretch of unemployment and her inability to budget effectively resulting in a visit from balliffs. :eek: Her answer to this has been to beg anyone and everyone to vouch for her for another loan- I have advised them all to say no - but fear she will just go further afield and ask a friend to do it instead. I have offered to go through her finances with her (she says she has done it all) and contact creditors on her behalf but she says she has it all in hand - clearly she hasn't or she wouldn't be so desperate- but she won't accept this help. I have given her the numbers of several companies/ charities that help in these situations. I can do no more - we have been here before and she doesn't seem to learn so harsh as it sounds she needs to sort it out for herself - no more bail outs - we haven't the money to do it now anyway. She needs to learn ignoring it isn't the answer.

DD1 had a scan this week and though we haven't had the results the consultant said he couldn't see any problems so thats good. We have another appt later in the month.

We are beginning to struggle financially due to the rising cost of things and the benefit cuts. Obviously it falls to me as per to go through and see what I can do about it all as H just decides he feels suicidal and tries to make everyone feel sorry for him. I have heard it all so many times

I have bought a dress for the wedding :T:T. Not at all what I had set my mind on but I think it looks really good. It's a red lace fitted dress with a lowish back (not too low) and was less than £20 in the sale. It's not something I would ever have chosen but decided to try it and decided it looked good and it's a size 10 - now need a jacket to go with it but at least that pressure's off. H will hate it, he is making comments constantly about my weight loss but I'm going to enjoy looking and feeling good.

Anyway enough waffling - have a ggod weekend everyone.:D

fedupandskint

A brilliant fab start to the day - off and out after breakfast with the dog for an hour or so around the country park then back out for my first run in 2 weeks. Thought I would get out while the sun was out and before the grey clouds roll back in once again.

Having a little rest now with a coffee!