Frugal Frump to Fab - The Journey Continues

lessonlearned

Hello Ladies

Are you ready to "Spring Forward" when we alter the clocks this weekend.

Are you ready to continue our journey on the Fab Express - through to the Summer Solstice.

Do you want to Sizzle this Summer.

OK then - let's get stuck in. :rotfl:

With renewed energy and renewed optimism let's just ride this baby…….;)

Remember - easy does it - no daft diets, no punishing routines, no denying ourselves the odd little indulgence.

Remember it's all about showing ourselves a little bit of TLC and nurturing our Inner Goddess.

So time to make plans, set goals and start making a few of our long cherished dreams come true.

Step by step, day by day.

Onwards and Upwards;)

Rummer

Oh, lovely new thread!

I have had a mixed bag again the last few days with a hefty dose of bad news so my good intentions have been knocked sideways. However it means that to get through the coming months I will need to be healthy, calm and focussed so this thread could really help me stay on track.

What I need is to stop making excuses for poor food choices! Today I am going to properly meal plan for the next few weeks to ensure they are healthy and to cut costs. I need to see healthy eating as a pleasure not a chore!

So many things to think about.

lessonlearned

Rummer - I could have written your post myself.

Without sounding selfish I definitely need to focus on myself now for a while - on my health and well being. I have been stretching myself too thinly and I'm now paying the price. I've actually been feeling quite ill for a couple of weeks now.

Today is a case in point.

Woke up feeling absolutely ghastly. I had to hit the phone to cancel all appts etc and go back to bed. Feel a bit better now but still pretty grim - so today is officially cancelled.:(

I shall have a duvet day.

I need to do some paperwork but other than that I shall just take it easy today, visit OH when I feel more human and just get some rest.

The next few months are going to be very busy and rather challenging. I need to be strong, fit and healthy to cope so just like Rummer I need to pay attention to my own needs.

My sister had some sort of collapse this last week-end - all due to stress, worrying about my parents and overwork. She's ok now but she gave us all a fright. Definitely a warning there for both os us.

We should never underestimate the devastating effects of stress overload.

Sorting out my parent's forthcoming move is putting enormous strain on both of us. Hopefully the worst will soon be over and we can both ease off a bit.

So yes - good food, healthy choices, proper exercise, enough sleep etc………And ……….. for a while at least - pace myself so as not to become over worked or unduly stressed.

For the next few weeks I'm going to cut back and not fill my diary quite so full. I am going to make alternate days a "free" day - i.e. no planned or scheduled appts/work/activities. That way if I need a day to rest up I can take it easy - if I'm ok then I can work or go out as I see fit. At least that way I shall feel less under pressure because I will have some rest breaks planned in case I need them.

Oh yes and I definitely need to delegate more:rotfl:

maddiemay

LL thanks for starting off the new thread, I am sorry that you are feeling poorly and stressed, and that you RUMMER have difficult stuff to deal with too.

I too need to focus on eating better and taking the supplements that I need to be reasonably healthy (long term treatable stuff along with joints that think they are older than I am:(:rotfl:)

In an attempt to keep the kitchen tidy I have put all the vits etc in a lovely wicker basket in the utility room (cooler there too), but of course if I don't see them I don't remember to take them, badly need a system:(

Take care everyone.:(

Rummer

LL sorry to hear you are experiencing difficult times too.

Yesterday was full of unpleasant surprises and I just wanted to walk away from everything and pretend it wasn't happening. However sticking my head in the sand will not make it go away, unfortunately. So this morning I have woken up with a can do attitude and I am going to take steps to improve things as much as I can under the circumstances.

Fabbing wise I have been for a long walk, eaten a healthy lunch and I am going to head out to the garden to tidy up and start preparing ti for our annual veg growing

podperson

Hi all,

Thanks for the shiny new thread LL :j Sorry to hear some of you are having difficulties, but there's a great 'get up and do it' attitude already so hopefully we'll all be on track soon. I managed to fix my weigh scales today, after I stood on them I rather wished they'd stayed broken Definitely worse than I thought and need to give myself a big kick to do something about it. Going to do a meal plan for the week and MUST get back to some regular exercise.

On the more positive fabbing side, did sort my hair out a bit. I do the 'ponytail' cutting thing myself, so took a big chunk off and it's looking a lot better already. Have the day off tomorrow so going to meet a friend and her wee girl - hoping it will be nice out and we can go for a walk but the forecast is not very promising! Been busy all week with editing so be nice to get out at least.

Anyway, hope everyone is having a good week x

sweaty_betty

Hello there - I'd like to join if possible. I've decided that I need to lose weight and make much more effort as I'm not looking good compared to some of the glamorous women I see at work every day!

My first step is to sort out my clothes - I've started a new thread on putting together a capsule wardrobe (here) but if anyone can offer any advice, I'd love to hear it

Jacqu79

Hi there, I'd like to join too please.:) After a few years of letting myself go (I mean REALLY letting myself go!) and putting on 7 stone, I feel I need to get this weight off and smarten myself up a bit, as I really don't like what I see in the mirror. I'm 35 and look about 10 years older.:eek:

I have a few health problems and I kind of gave up on things for a while, but now it's time to give myself a kick up the bum!!

In the past 2 weeks I have had my eyebrows threaded, bought new makeup and started wearing it every day, booked a Groupon deal for a hair cut and colour and subscribed to weight watchers online, although I haven't actually started the diet yet.:o

I'm currently studying full time at uni and working part time at the weekends and am too exhausted to do much else, but classes finish on Friday until my exams in May, so I have much more free time and plan to start walking everyday.:j I'd like to lose a decent amount of weight and feel fitter by summer, so I can go out on my bike.:D My bigger goal is to get fit enough to cycle to uni in September.

Kiwisaver_2

Hi lovely ladies - I am back in for the long haul.


Like Sweaty Betty (welcome Betty and other newbies) I have mostly been continuing with the wardrobe overhaul and have a new found interest and noticing what other people are wearing. I was really inspired by a few girls I saw standing in the queue at the caf! today; many of whom looked so lovely and pulled together.


I noticed a theme coming through; all those that looked fab had what seemed like effortless styles, with scarves on or handbags that matched in with what they were wearing. I never think to change my bag to suit my outfit - so I think I'll continue to explore on this little pathway for a while and start to look at accessories more.


I am doing pretty much all I can now in terms of hair and skincare routines; although fingers and toes could use some attention. I might treat myself to a shellac mani and pedi for the Easter holidays.


Meanwhile, I am off for a quick scrub down and going to choose my outfit for Fab Friday.

lessonlearned

Hello lovely ladies

Welcome Betty (I'm not calling you Sweaty!!!!)and Jacqu.

Well thankfully I feel a lot better after my enforced rest yesterday. I definitely need to take time out a bit more often.

I perked up a bit in the afternoon so even managed a bit more decluttering. Books and DVD's. I'm passing them on to a lady who will try and sell them for me - she'll keep 30% of the profits. She gets to earn some money and I get to delegate some of my workload - win-win.

This "Wardrobe Cleansing" seems to be catching on, loving the ideas about capsule wardrobes and nice accessories.

I think that's the key - keep the basics simple and then ring the changes with accessories - bags, belts, scarves, a bit of jewellery etc.

I like to dress top to toe in one mono chrome colour - so my trousers and cardigan or jacket will be one colour. I then break it up slightly with a different coloured top or scarf. Keeping the body length all one colour makes me look slimmer and taller.

Right ladies today's task.

Have we done the mirror test recently………;)

You know the drill.

As you are - right now - go and take a look in a full length mirror. Is the Bag Lady still there or has she been banished yet.:rotfl:

Are your clothes crisp and clean, is your hair nicely styled, don't forget the shoes…..

And for the newbies -

Would you like to lose 1/2 stone in 30 seconds.

Here's how

Back to the mirror.

In one word - POSTURE

Stand tall and straight, pull up your pelvis, tummy in, bottom in, shoulders back (and down - not up round your ears).. Head up and balanced nicely on your neck - so there is no neck strain.

Imagine you are a puppet and someone is holding you up from the head with a string.

Practice this as often as you remember, - in the supermarket queue, in the kitchen at the sink etc.

Fiorget Edxucation, Education, Education and Location, Location, Location from now on your new Mantra should be Posture, Posture, Posture.

Good posture not only makes you look better, it helps you look and feel more confident. If you stand tall and straight you look more impressive and people treat you with respect.

Good posture also has health benefits - it improves the digestion, helps keep your back strong, reduces the risk of "widow's hump" , reduces the risk of injury and can alleviate joint and muscle pain.

Good posture is also free.

I'm off to check that the plasterer is ok, drop off some bags to the charity shop (I will not browse and spend!!!!!), stop off at the library and the bank and do a mini food shop.

Nothing too onerous today.;)

Have a great day.

sweetcheeks33

Hey jacqu and Betty

Hoping everyone else is well...

LL glad your taking rest days they seems to be paying off... Working sometimes 7 days a week I know how you feel. Do it (days off) before your body enforces it - which I think was my ill weekend lady weekend is body saying enough!!

Runner I hope you are feeling better and more on track too

On the fabbing front I had my hair cut and and highlights done today .. £77 lighter but it is my birthday tomorrow so I feel justified in pampering.

Also had dinner at a friends tonight which was lovely

Of for some early zzzzzz have a good evening everyone