Claire's OS house deposit quest!

Miss_Purple_Hat

rosie383 wrote: »

If you are looking to get fitter and can cancel your gym membership, then have a look around for aerobic or zumba clsses in local church halls or community centres. I was doing virtually zero exercise but then a friend persuaded me to go with her to a ladies only aerobics class. It became a social thing for me and I gradually built up to about 4 times a week. I have now joined a ladies only gym in our town which is £19.99/month which costs me less than all of the classes. Most of my pals now go to the gym and we see each other there at the classes. The advantage of a ladies gym is that it isn't full if lycra-clad lovelies. There are some, definitely a minority though. I'm now a couple of stone lighter with another couple to go. Of course, fresh air is free, so walking is probably the best but I think motivation is the biggest factor. My friend doesn't want to go to the gym so meets with a couple of friends for proper long, fast walks about three times a week. I think if you can turn it into a social thing it helps a lot.

Now could someone give me a boot up the bum please? I've been awake since 6.15 and apart from feeding the bunny and making a cuppa, I have done nowt!!!

I'm a bit limited on social stuff as I moved here for my job so the only friends I have are at work and they're just not the social exercise class kind. There's also a high ratio of men to women in my office so it isn't quite the same.

Well done on being a couple of stone lighter! :T You can be our inspiration from being halfway through your journey.

I'm not an early bird typically so sorry, I wasn't up to give you a kick up the bum. I was up until 1am making a stack of Christmas cards for my family because I'd managed to leave it until the last minute...!

Miss_Purple_Hat

I promise I will shorten my posts. Don't worry, once I get started on 5th January I probably won't have much left to say. :rotfl:

I got paid early - my wages arrived yesterday. So I'm actually already on the first wage packet that'll count in January! Luckily I've done all my Christmas shopping and made my own Christmas cards. :A I'm also staying at my parents' house from 25th Dec to 4th Jan and my very lovely mother will insist on providing all the food. My parents' house is still my permanent address and I still have my bedroom here (it's where I am at this very second). I also return almost every weekend - my flat is basically serving as one of those Monday - Friday work area rentals.

I must resist the Christmas sales to help my savings pot for January! And no buying craft stuff to make with my nephew - he's spoilt rotten!

NewShadow

Miss_Purple_Hat wrote: »

I have heard of the freezing cakes bit, though wasn't sure the cakes would taste as good from the freezer. Do I need to freeze them in containers with greaseproof or something in between?

I have some really nifty little freezer bags that take one slice of cake. Think these are the ones - http://www.tesco.com/groceries/product/details/?id=278454584

I then make two or three loaves of banana cake (with cinnamon and sultanas - Yum), and bag up a months worth. I can then grab out a bag to take to work and it's defrosted for my 10am culpa.

The bags and all the ingredients cost the same as a single slice of cake from work. :cool:

Are you my clone?

... I think I'm older than you, so wouldn't that make you MY clone? Long lost relative might work better - craziness runs in families :rotfl:

Good luck with your running goal! I never have been much good at running. Do you have a plan to get you started?

Not so much. I used to run 5 miles three times a week... but that was when I was 18 and 10 stone :eek:

I bought a treadmill second hand for £70 (two months Gym membership :money:) and intend to start slow doing the couch to 5k.

How do you manage your eczema with the cold weather?

I find it's the changing season thats worse than the cold per se - this year's been particually bad for me because it just won't settle down what it's doing :mad:

I get really paranoid as I get it quite badly on my face this time of year, and while I can cope with it looking dreadful, I get funny about the way I mumble or lisp.

It mostly irritates me that when it looks bad (cracked) people say 'oh, that looks sore' but thats actually kind of ignorable - its when its all tight before it cracks that it hurts to eat, talk, sneeze...

But, enough disgusting those people that don't have to live with it.

In answer to your question - Emollient baths - not the most lovely of things, but effective. That and applying paraffin wax twice a day. Just keep it out of your hair.

Oh, and my beautiful 'hand food' moisturiser - soap and glory - one of the few I've found doesn't irritate so gets bought on sale and used on hands, face, back of knees...

let us know any tips for newbies trying to start up running. (I say running, but more "slow jogging".:D)

Nothing wrong with jogging. I don't know where you are, but I'm actually looking for a jogging buddy

I have an awful habit (always have) of pushing too hard. Oddly its because I enjoy it too much and convince myself I don't need days off :j then I go and hurt myself and can't run for 3 weeks

Running with someone else helps, both to keep you going and to make you stop when you're done. Plus, then you get to go have coffee

Advice for new run/joggers:

1. It's really important to have rest days - you might feel fine, but only run three days a week, at least to start, and stop if it hurts - don't run through the pain. To start there's really no way that your legs should be giving out before your lungs. If your legs hurt, you're working too hard, slow down and aim for duration not speed. For the first few months you're exercising your heart and lungs, not your legs. Interval running is key to build up stamina.

2. It's really important to get a decent (not expensive) pair of trainers - only use them for running, and change them every 6 to 12 months. Ideally you should have a running shop near you (not jjb sports). Ask them if they do gait analysis - that means they watch you run (or jog) for a couple of minutes and then tell you if you do weird things with your feet/ankles. If you turn your foot one way or the other, there are shoes to help support your feet and stop an injury.

Some places charge for this (£10 or £20) as it takes them a good half hour or hour to test and advise you, but you normally get the cash back as a discount on your trainers if you then get shoes from them - you only have to do this once. Or, get the test done and shop on amazon - I just got a new pair that suit my feet for £40 delivered rather than the list price of c£80 because I already know my feet.

3. Start to love bananas and boiled eggs - I'm one of those people that gets nauseous if I eat and run, so I always have my 3B's ready for after exercise - Banana, Boiled egg, Bottle of water. Energy, carbs and hydration. Prevents post exercise headache or dizziness (also good as breakfast beforehand if you like to run first thing, so you have energy but don't feel full). It's important not to be starving yourself as you're running - Not an excuse for cakes and chocolate, but definitely no VLC diets and running - you'll get sick

4. Enjoy it! - It's what your body was built to do. It might feel like a chore before you start: You're tired; not in the mood; have too much else to do. Whatever - I bet you £5 (MissPH only;)) that after running, you'll feel amazing. Endorphins are the best drug out there for making you feel amazing.

I am just the same with the clothes that are too small! I may only rotate a few currently, but I have an entire wardrobe stuffed full of clothes of sizes 14 and 16 that definitely do not fit at all. I'm thinking a mutual summer goal could be to get into an outfit we haven't been able to wear that's been sat in our wardrobes?

I'm big up top so I have a rail full of beautiful shirts that 'gape' too much for public use.

I also love joe browns, I've got the perfect thing to be my summer goal - http://images.kaleidoscope.co.uk/is/image/OttoUK/cloudzoom/Joe-Browns-Antique-Unique-Tunic~10J593FRSP.jpg

It's beautiful but very unforgiving slightly stretchy fabric... It's listed as an 18, but I think it needs a 16 to look good.

I'm (finally) back into 18 jeans, 16 if they're a generous cut (not bad from 30/32 ), but I'm still 20/22 on top thanks to a couple of bazookas that don't seem to be going anywhere. Means I can still wear most of my tops and they pleasantly skim down over the remaining belly, making me look better than I'd expect with 5ish stone still to go.

So glad I'm doing this pre thirty - I think it would be so much harder (in many ways) to have started in 5 or 10 years.

A whole month off sounds exciting! What sort of thing would you like to do? Are you thinking cheap travel, or going for something a bit closer to home?

Not a clue.

I've always wanted to visit Russia - but that doesn't seem very sensible right now... things might be better in a year, and it might be an excellent time to buy my Roubles :rotfl:

Honestly though - I've never been on holiday but to visit family temporarily living abroad (Sweden, Bali, France, and Ireland) and for all of that - visiting family is always visiting family.

I've never been south of Cardiff, never been north of Manchester.

I'll probably need to decide in June, and it'll likely depend on where I stand financially by then.

Speaking of which, I've looked around at work recently, and it seems we're involved with a credit union scheme - I've got the paperwork, and its all filled in to take £200 a month before my pay hits by account.

Given the time everyones got over christmas its unlikely to be processed this year, so I might not see it until my feb pay-packet, but its a start - what I don't see I can't miss.

And after a couple of months, I might find I'm not missing it and I can to squeeze it up to £250:cool:

You doing anything particular to try and lose weight (avoiding the 'd' word)?

I was a member of slimming world, and lost 5 stone last year. I've fallen off the wagon (not gained, and still losing slowly, just stopped going to group). The key for me seems to be not snacking between meals or deciding to eat late at night.

When I'm up late *cough* - it's not 2am, your computers broken - *cough* I tend to want a second dinner at about midnight :eek:

I start work at 7, so I need to get better at actually going to bed (and sleep) at a decent time and setting mealtimes.

I think - for me - routine is key.

Oh, and I also have trouble being concise. Must be another family trait :rotfl:

jackyann

What a lovely thread!

just to pick up on some stuff:

Do you have a mixer? Could you get one if you really like baking & bread making? Not sure how much money it would save, but if you would enjoy having it, that would be a good use of money!

I make my own bread & freeze rolls to warm up with soup and half-loaves to toast.

I had a friend whose cakes were always in demand for fund-raisers. Not many people knew that she kept her reputation by batch baking & freezing. This is what I learned: sponge type cakes need to be frozen whole, in containers that completely protect them.
Brownies freeze beautifully, individually wrapped (ideal for an occasional treat!)
Fruit cakes don't, on the whole, freeze well.
Flapjacks (I add dried cranberries and / or choc chips to mine) will keep in a sealed container for some weeks. They are very good for treats as they are quite filling for the amount of calories, and also not too expensive.

And of course, porridge is both cheap & filling for breakfast!

I don't see any point in gyms unless you have specific issues: needing special supervision & advice for example, or feeling unsafe around your neighbourhood at the hours you can get out.
It may not be your "thing" but you could look for local running or walking groups, Ramblers etc. if you think you would enjoy the company.

Do meal plan, but use your dinners to make your lunches - lots of ideas on here about that.
You can simply eat the same meal, heated up at work, you can make a soup, or you can be more creative.
One of my favourite OS meals is a ham hock, slow cooked with dried peas (or similar). Left over peas can be frozen for a meal sometime, and some made into soup. Left over ham needs shredding / dicing (no nice slices off a hock!) and is the basis for soups / omelette / risotto, or simply a sandwich or salad.

I'd recommend soups for winter lunches that fill you up and make you feel good - take to work in a wide-mouth vacuum, or use a microwave.

Good luck - and keep us posted!

NewShadow

jackyann wrote: »

Do you have a mixer? Could you get one if you really like baking & bread making? Not sure how much money it would save, but if you would enjoy having it, that would be a good use of money!

Oh, If you don't want to buy a mixer, but fancy making bread - try this recipe out - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WVwrTAJtSNk

I live alone so eat way too much bread if I make it myself, so I've been avoiding it for a while, but its stupidly easy and very nice.

I used to follow this video to make a batch once a month - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QRJfNB7T-zg.

The cooked loves freeze well.

pollyanna24

Hello and good luck with your quest.

I have a house, but own it with my brother and he is getting married, so we will be selling. I need as much money as I can in order to be in a shout of buying anywhere remotely nice by myself, so I will also be saving a deposit. Aim for a similar figure of £10,000 by the end of 2015 which is when we will be thinking about selling. I will have quite a bit from the sale of the house, but live in an expensive area and am not willing to move somewhere cheaper for a variety of reasons (1. work, 2. my mum looks after my kids, so can't move far from her, and 3. the girls' school).

I do have £950 to pay my dad back first (he lent me money for my car).

Ooh, the mutual goal of trying to get into old clothes sounds great. I am always on and off diets, but completely off it at the mo, but suppose I should try again in the new year. I don't have too much to lose, probably a stone and a half or so, but it is so annoying looking at all those size 10 jeans in the wardrobe and not be able to get into them! I rotate the same jeans and work trousers (which are actually my old maternity trousers, but so comfy, so I still wear them!).

Newshadow – your banana cake sounds amazing! Can I have the recipe please?

NewShadow

Keep old bananas in the freezer (peeled in a bag) until you're ready to use them.

Takes 40 mins inc prep and cooking time.

• 2-3 large overripe bananas (I've used 5 before now)
• 1 1/2 cups flour (I use wholemeal)
• 1 cup oats (or use an extra cup flour)
• 2 eggs
• 1/3 cup sugar (white or brown), sweetener, or honey
• 3/4 cup milk or water
• 1/4 cup veg oil or softened/melted butter
• 2.5 tsp baking soda/ 4 tsp baking powder (or I guess you could use self raising, but I've never)
• ½ tsp salt (leave out if using baking powder)
• 1 or 2 tsp cinnamon, or coco, or instant coffee, or use vanilla essence
• Big handful of either blueberries or dried fruit (if you use dried fruit add another half cup of water). Frozen blueberries and strawberry slices work fine. Throw them in frozen.

Mash bananas in a big bowl (I use my big Pyrex mixing bowl, but think a traditional bread bowl), add everything except the soda. Mix well. Add soda and stir. It may start to foam... That's okay.

Fill your silicon muffin tins about half full (they rise) and cook for about 15 minutes at 200ish. Or pour into a loaf and cook about 30 minutes.

Hot oven preferred but not needed. If cold oven, add 5/10 minutes to heat.

I judge they're cooked when the fruit on the top starts to burn and the top is a nice dark chestnut. Don't try stabbing them ! It's bad for the silicon and the banana stays soggy anyway so they'd never be done.

Tip out while hot to avoid a soggy bottom. Cover/wrap with clean towel till cool to avoid drying out.

Makes 2 1lb loaves or about 18 muffins (3 batches).

I normally make 1 loaf and 12 small muffins, or 1 loaf and 6 overflowing muffins if I overfill the cases...

If you wrap individually/ in slices they freeze/defrost well in about an hour. Or you can microwave for about a minute. I just use cling film.

nursemaggie

Newshadow I don't know if you know lack of sleep can be a major contributor to being over weight. You could try going to bed 15 minutes earlier very few days until you are getting a reasonable amount of sleep.

Thanks for your recipe it sounds lovely. I have all the ingredients in except the bananas. I can get them tomorrow.

I too have problems being concise. I never buy self raising flour either it means one bag of flour on the go not two. I use more for sauces than baking.

I won't be joining you in saving you want to save more than my annual income.

CRANKY40

nursemaggie wrote: »

Newshadow I don't know if you know lack of sleep can be a major contributor to being over weight. You could try going to bed 15 minutes earlier very few days until you are getting a reasonable amount of sleep.

Thanks for your recipe it sounds lovely. I have all the ingredients in except the bananas. I can get them tomorrow.

I too have problems being concise. I never buy self raising flour either it means one bag of flour on the go not two. I use more for sauces than baking.

I won't be joining you in saving you want to save more than my annual income.

They're saving nearly as much as my annual income too Nursemaggie. I am joining as I want to save for something which will cost much less than a house deposit but which is still important to me. As for sleep problems and weight.....I fell asleep at 9:30 pm tonight as I had a migraine but I am awake now. Most nights I go go sleep at a normal time but wake up after midnight and can be awake for minutes or sometimes hours. I don't always put the light on like I have tonight. I also have PCOS so the weight thing is a constant battle.

NewShadow

nursemaggie wrote: »

Newshadow I don't know if you know lack of sleep can be a major contributor to being over weight. You could try going to bed 15 minutes earlier very few days until you are getting a reasonable amount of sleep.

Hi Maggie, thanks for the advice.

The main reason I'm overweight is an 8 year relationship that mostly consisted of me working 60 hour weeks and my parter buying takeout rather than cooking (or cleaning) because he was depressed he was unemployed - for a full 8 years...Not that I'm bitter

I slowly gained weight over the years, and in the 14 months since I told him to go back to his mum, I've lost 6 stone by (basically) being happy again. I think that's good - and ongoing - progress :cool:

I had the works christmas do on friday and it fragged my sleeping patterns for the weekend (I'm not used to not getting in until 4am anymore :rotfl:). I get up for work at 5.30, start at 7, so normally go to bed for 10 at the latest.

Even this weekend I've not had less than 8 hours sleep, just not been getting up until gone noon - It's like being a student again, without the irritating housemates

I think actually drinking more water and remembering to have breakfast has had more impact on my personal weight loss journey. That and remembering that I actually like cooking. But I'm sure your suggestion will be of help to someone.