Frugal Frump to Fabulous - autumn equinox to winter solstice

gwen80

floss2 wrote: »

The snacky foods probably aren't helping the IBS either - if you start to have regular meals then you should see an improvement in it

Yes, hopefully. Ordinarily I don't eat breakfast on a weekday, but I've taken some porridge sachets into work, I'm going to get some for home too. I'll try and have one of those or even just a banana would be better than nothing. I've also realised I don't chew my food very well, I generally wolf it down and digestion is meant to start in the mouth so I'm going to try and take a little more time with my food. I'm hoping these little changes - less sugar, more veg, breakfast, chewing my food may make a difference to the health problems I've been having.

Day 1 of better eating went quite well yesterday. Porridge for brekkie, potato and mushroom frittata with small portion of grilled veg on the side, dinner was veg stirfry followed by some grapes. Couple of snacks - savoury biscuits and a small Milky Way. So far today, I've had scrambled egg, grilled mushrooms, tomatos and spinach with wholemeal toast. I feel quite good so far, but I suspect it's psychological.

I've had my hair cut this morning and I feel so much better for it. Off to get my eyebrows done this afternoon. Hair will be dyed today or tomorrow - it will, it will, it will - I hate that job! Bought some Aloe Vera gel to use as a moisturiser/facemask, so I may try that out later on.

maman wrote: »

:wave:gwen. Losing weight was my priority when I first started posting on here and I did it with Slimming World: my one and only 'diet' so I'm a big fan.:D I try not to snack whenever possible but if I fancy something in the evening my current favourite is a couple of tbsps. of low fat cottage cheese with a chopped apple stirred in, then eat it with a spoon. I have been known to attack a jar of pickled beetroot with a spoon too!;) I don't have a sweet tooth but those that do recommend sugar free jelly or low fat yogurts like Muller lights.

I'm feeling anything like fab Friday today. I suppose I look smart enough but my hair is definitely at 'rats' tails' stage and desperately needs cutting. Treated myself to a new pair of jeans in Sainsbury's today. I'm delighted with the dark navy ones from there so now I've got black too.

Have a good weekend all.:)

Hi

I've done Slimming World in the past and tbh I'm not keen to go back down the 'diet' route. I was doing 5:2 for a few weeks and I liked that as there was very little 'counting' involved, but I didn't lose any weight.

Skymist wrote: »

Or....you could download f.lux:-

http://justgetflux.com/news/pages/bigupdate/

which I've been using for a few years now, and it's just been updated with even better light choices!!

This explains it....

http://justgetflux.com/research.html

HTH

S

Thanks! I'll look into that. Hope you're all having great Saturdays!

G

[Deleted User]

I have booked an apt to get my eyebrows waxed on Tuesday next week. I have also decided to take some money and get myself new shoes - I am thinking of trying that cosy feet as I find it quite hard to get shoes suitable for me. Anyone else used them?

I really need to treat myself to new underwear too so going to do this next week as I am on holiday.

I have decided to grow my hair so haven't had it cut for a couple of months. It is actually looking ok so I am quite pleased with it just now.

My goals between now and the winter solstice are:
1. Get back into the habit of cleanse, tone and moisturise twice daily.
2. Start using my TeePee brush again for my teeth.
3. Buy a simple basin and start doing a foot treatment at home one a week.
4. Post more regularly on this forum for inspiration.


What is the date of the winter solstice btw?

floss2

Gwen, increasing your fibre intake usually helps too - sounds as though it shouldn't but it does work! I have granola with a banana & plain yogurt for brekkie, fills me up & stops me snacking all morning

podperson

Hi all,

maman - glad the shellac nails are going well, have been very lazy with mine at the moment, am going to sit down and at least paint them this week - does usually make me feel better

mineallmine - I don't have experience with coconut oil but have been trying an argan oil conditioner and have found it a bit trial and error with how long to leave it on - the box advises 5 mins but I found my hair felt a bit too 'greasy' after that so have been trying just a couple of mins and a second shampoo after and it looks really nice and shiny.

LL - think it's money well spent if you get a good night's sleep as a result! I keep thinking that I must get a new mattress as soon as I have some money spare - mine is definitely on it's last legs and have springs digging in everywhere :rotfl:Glad you're feeling brighter, am sure the reduced to-ing and fro-ing must help too x

Bitsy - hope you're ok, hun *hugs* if you need them x

Lizzie - sorry there doesn't seem to be much luck with the paid work, tbh I'm not getting a huge amount at the moment either, going into winter never seems to be a busy time. Still, sounds like you have plenty on as it is, hope the studies are going well. The college treatments sound like a great plan, might have a look if there's one near me that does them actually!

allie - keep thinking I really need to get my eyebrows done as well, was actually looking at the do-it-yourself kits in Boots the other day, but am a little worried will muck it up and rather hard to hide if it turns out a mess! :rotfl:

Anyway, not a huge amount of fabbing going on. Did buy a few bits with my bday money, so have a nice new jumper, a couple of cheapish tops and a bag. Not looking too bad for winter now - thinking maybe another pair of jeans/trousers and possibly another cardi and I'm probably set. Was doing a bit better with making an effort with outfits, but have been a bit under the weather this week so not been out much and slobbing round the house Feeling a little more 'with it' today though so will get back to it next week!
Writing news - I'm through to the top two in the writing comp! :jReally, really excited and still slightly in shock (and huge thanks to anyone who voted!), so I now need to submit another chapter and the winner will be picked from that. I should find out in November but it gets officially announced at the Festival of Romance - so like a romance writers weekend with a big dinner/dance on the Sat night. I wasn't actually planning on going this year due to lack of funds but now I'm not sure as they would apparently like the winner to go and be there for the 'announcement'. Hmm. OH keeps saying we will definitely 'sort something' if I win, but I don't think I'll find out until the week before so getting rather short notice then to sort out travel arrangements and stuff. Will have to see.
Anyway, that aside, is fab news and am a happy bunny!

Hope everyone is having a good weekend x

chanie

Can I rejoin, please?

I did join a few threads ago but have only just started fabbing a few weeks ago.

I've been cleansing and moisturizing, body brushing and weekly face masks. I work full time and have two young children, so I've learnt to maximise my time or cheat.

My tips and cheats:

1) use products you enjoy. They don't have to be expensive, but read review and packaging before you buy. Places like The Body Shop always have samples to try. You are more likely to use products you have researched.

2) focus on a 'quick win' to get you started. I have really dry feet. The Body Shop hemp cream sorted it out within a few day and I love seeing my feet looking soft.

3) if you don't like doing something, try and find ways to make it as easy as possible. I really can't be bothered to moisturize my skin when I get out of the bath, so I add a few drops of baby oil to the water.

4) utilise your free time. I commute to work and when I'm sitting on the train, I put on some hand cream and some moisturizing lip gloss. If you drive, do it when you arrive at your destination, so you leave the car feeling fresh.

5) keep items handy - I have perfume on my desk at work, where I can see it and spray it when I get into work in the morning.

6) body brushing not only helps with cellulite, it exfoliate your skin. You are supposed to do it before you get in the bath, but I sometimes do it before i go to bed.

7) when in a chemist or department store, have a free spritz of perfume.

8) break things down into smaller tasks. I normally take my nail varnish off, have a few days rest and then reapply, as I don't always have time to do it all in one go.

9) have a set day for doing certain things. Sunday is normally face mask day, but I did the face mask today as I had some time.

lessonlearned

Good morning everyone.

Welcome back Chanie - some great tips there.

Floss - I'm a fellow IBS sufferer so you have my sympathy. I do find that stress causes havoc with my poor tum as well as certain trigger foodstuffs. In my case too much wheat sets me off so I try not to eat too much in the way of bread and pasta. I find peppermint oil capsules helpful.

Well the healthy eating is going well, and I am managing some simple yoga stretches most days. Have even managed a couple of walks this week. Slow but steady. Sleep is still a bit hit and miss though. I'm still getting the odd minor panic attack which is rather a nuisance.

Hopefully they will ease off now that I'm more settled. I'm still wading my way through paperwork and steadily decluttering. Getting there.

I am managing to spend plenty of time with my OH. He is very happy having me close at hand and loves it when I bring him round to the bungalow. He tends to sleep a lot now, his decline continues and communication is very difficult but I have the satisfaction of knowing that he is happy and content.

Today I shall be spending time with my boys and just generally having a quiet potter about.

Time to have a bath, fab up and start the day.

Hope you are all having a great weekend.

floss2

LL, its lovely to read that your OH is content and enjoying you being near to him. Stress is also a big trigger for me; things are bubbling at work (expecting the 'at risk' letters to be sent out next month) and we are in the process of buying an adjoining property, so I'm back on my IBS medication as a result Nowhere near as much as you or Bitsy gave gone through tho - no packing/unpacking for a start!

I do need to lose some weight and tone up too...hopefully when we have next door I will get back into a proper eating pattern and cut out the self-destructive wine/biscuits/sweeties

mellymoo74

Can I join please?
I have been fabbing I just didnt know what it was called.
I have been focusing on my face but I need to sort my nails out anyone got any tricks to make polishing them less messy and dull?

mineallmine

Hello all,

Got my hair cut and coloured yesterday. I hadn't realised how grey and blah it had become. I think it's a smidge too dark, even though it's the same colour as last time, but I know it will fade (it did last time). Next time I will go one lighter I think. Still much better than seeing those damn grey hairs
:eek:

I used to wax my eyebrows with a cold (natural) wax called N.a.d.s. think boots sell it. My eyebrows look untidy at the moment. I really need to get to a salon or buy some of that wax.

Right, a spray of perfume and some make up now :happyhear

maman

Seems we're all into eyebrow fabbing!:)

I have an appointment to have mine done tomorrow. The beautician charges me about £6 for waxing and I think it's well worth it. I only go about every month-6 weeks and then with a good base shape I manage with the tweezers. What I love when it's done is it makes me look much more awake!:rotfl:

Thanks for the tips chanie. It can be a faff moisturising after a shower/bath particularly if you're in a hurry. I also find I get lazy during the winter. I'm meticulous when I'm trying to preserve a summer tan but once I'm covered up in winter woollies, it's so easy to let moisturising and defuzzing go by the wayside. I find setting aside a time in the week for a pampering session helps if you can and a good moisturising body wash is helpful if you're more into showering than a bath. I like Dove for an everyday cheapie.

Strange you thought of SW as going down the 'diet route' gwen. I find SW's Extra Easy so much like normal, healthy eating that it doesn't even feel like a diet as such.

:wave:melly and good to hear you've settled into the bungalow LL. Exciting news from you too pod.

Strange day here, it keeps tipping down with rain but in really heavy showers while the sun keeps shining. Very odd! Looking forward to lovely dinner planned: lamb shanks with loads of veg. Mmm!