Frump to Fab 2016 - Lets make it AWESOME!!!

beluga

Good morning everyone!
It's a sunny but very cold day here, I'm still in bed as the house is cold, I'm usually out by now so the heating isn't set to come on. I'm off out to a postgrad fair this afternoon, hoping to do a Master's in September but need to work out the funding options and decide which course is best for me. Big decisions, stressing over it all.

Regarding health and diet, has anyone tried the FODMAP diet? My IBS has been playing up since I got back from holiday at the end of JAnuary. Travel can play havoc with my digestion but it doesn't usually last this long or cause this much trouble. Ended up at A&E a week or so ago it was so bad. I'm trying to follow the low FODMAP diet but struggling to find foods I can eat that fit in with my lifestyle. I need to make more of an effort but I'm lacking in motivation and focus. I know I'll feel better if I sort out my diet but I'm quite down and can't be bothered, it's a vicious circle!

lessonlearned

Hi everyone

Some Fantastic help on here with healthy eating ideas. Thank you for sharing.

Re the genetic component of high cholestrol. I agree it's not always overweight people who have high cholesterol. My dad is a classic, whippet thin and high cholestrol, controlled by statins. Mind his diet is awful but somehow he just doesn't gain weight.

I think I will try some of those sterol enhanced yoghurt drinks. They seem to come highly rcommended. Other than that I need to focus on Weight reduction. I will of course cut right back on saturated fats and red and processed meats.

Beluga. I too have been struggling with digestive issues ever since coming back of holiday.,.....TBH it has been so bad that it has put me off cruises....... Paying all that money only to get sick.:o

I often suffer from "travellers tummy" but it usually passes quickly enough, however this time it's been 2 months and I'm really getting very fed up with feeling below par.

I have been experimenting with both Paleo and FODMAP. The problem for me is that FODMAP allow grains and they don't suit me so basically I'm sticking with Paleo but taking into account FODMAP guidelines on "gas inducing vegetables".

Working my way round the two systems seems to be helping, although I think the biggest help has been reducing dairy and switching to lacto free milk and cheese. The cramps are much easier.

I'm still taking buscopan and peppermint capsules and replacing some of my normal teas and coffees with herbal teas. Fennel is very helpful and camomile is also good.

I ve also started drinking lemon water to help combat Gord. Apparently although lemon is a citrus fruit when it hits the stomach it becomes alkaline (who knew) and therefore helps neutralise stomach acid.

Crikey reading all that back I sound like either a hopeless case or a hypochondriac. :rotfl:

The problem is I think is that I am determined not to go through the drug route the way my parents did. I want to get to the bottom of the matter rather than merely masking symptoms by taking drugs.

Mum had diabetes and dad had Gord, IBS and high cholestrol. They ignored all dietry advice and refused to make any lifestyle changes, relying instead on their GPs to wave a magic wand, alas with predictable results.

I saw the catastrophic effects of uncontrolled diabetes on my mum and have sworn to do better. So far not too much to worry about, because I'm only borderline. I should be able to pull back there.

Reducing cholestrol without drugs is going to be much harder but I'm going to give it a damn good try. I don't want to end up on a cocktail of drugs.

It's a lovely bright day but a bit "crisp". Am wearing my nice cosy grey fleck jumper.....

Off to dads to help him pack up his stuff........dreading it.......:rotfl:

sweetcheeks33

Hello all. ...

Hugs to all Those feeling rubbishy and under weather at the moment.

LL fingers crossed for test results too.

As for the kale, I quite like it in smoothies- although I only put in a very small amount in green smoothies- that it spinach.

Been trying to do body moisturiser once a day and do a really good cleanse when in from work.

Hair appointment booked for next week too. Time for trim and highlights to brighten things up as Spring is coming. Due to get eyebrows waxed last week however had to change appointment. You don't realise the difference it fully makes till it's overdue. Feel lighter just by having eyebrows done lol!!

Nothing much else to report other than trying to drink much more water and consume much less juice & tea & coffee. It really does plump skin....

I also need to get my steps up..... My Fitbit is highlighting exactly how lazy I am becoming...;;

beluga

Thanks LL, I'm cutting back on the coffee, wheat and dairy and feel a bit better. Still finding my feet with it all but hoping it helps. Good luck with your diet LL.

So yesterday's postgrad fair was rather a waste of time. I need to make some decisions but am just not sure what to do! Funding is an issue, and no one seems to know exactly how the new postgrad student loans work. I'm getting conflicting information. Oh well, I've got to finish my degree before I do anything else, got an assignment due on Thursday so the weekend will be mostly spent doing that.

I'm tryingto make a bit of an effort with myself, dyed my hair and painted my nails Had a bit of a shopping spree online (oops!) and treated myself to some new boots, a jumper, cardigan and a necklace. I had a gift voucher and some birthday money, and the boots were half price plus 10% student discount so it wasn't too bad.
Today I'm off to an awards ceremony with work, I'm finally receiving my certificate for training I completed last summer, so I'd best make an effort since I'll have to get up in front of an audience and say something brief, and there will be photos taken for the company website.

Have a good day everyone

maddiemay

Fab Friday for me was casual, but pulled together, shopping at market then osteopath. I wore dark denim jeans with a slight bootcut, longer length black cashmere roll neck and my red ankle boots and red pashmina, I felt good about myself:D

I have been a little naughty and bought this in Boden sale. I chose the pale grey version and it looks good on my colouring. In my defence I needed a funeral/special occasion coat, but have been unable to find anything that I like/fits well at a price I was prepared to pay, so having one or two lighter weight jackets I decided on this. I think that I will get a lot of joyful wear from it and as bonus is that OH likes it too.:)

Lots of great dietary and lifestyle advice to think about, thanks everyone. Onward towards better health:D:

Floss

I did Fab Friday slightly casual as there were no bosses in the office grey Monsoon jumper dress, black patent flat boots & white, black & pink scarf with usual makeup & perfume.

coppers

Hi all, I'm getting over my cold now, but DH has caught man flu. Hope everyone has a fab weekend, I'm looking forward to a weekend off, it'll be great to have some family time.

sugarbaby125

Ellsbel wrote: »

Hugs and well wishes to all who are poorly and/or feeling low; I have to confess I'm feeling a bit below par myself today and have been "out of sync" these past few days - feeling a bit like I'm coming down with something, although maybe I need to remember to take the vitamins that I've spent a small fortune on, to boost my well being, instead of forgetting every morning!
Joking aside - I could do with improving my concentration/memory; I'm finding it hard to focus on one thing at a time lately and it's getting frustrating.
Anyway, back to fabbing - I'm not quite keeping up to scratch this week but I'll be back on it soon, and I'm wearing perfume!:)

Ellsbel just wanted to recommend Eye Que fish oils. They come in capsules or liquid form. They enable me to have really good memory, concentration and focus and my hair, nails and joints also benefit as well.

greenbee

Concentration and memory issues can be linked to iron deficiency, so worth getting your ferritin levels checked. You don't have to be anaemic to be iron deficient (i have non-anaemic iron deficiency), but ferritin isn't always tested for (there are also issues around what are considered to be acceptable/healthy levels)

Ellsbel

Thanks so much sugar baby. I was thinking of trying a fish oil supplement, as I've read that they help improve concentration and mood, so I'll check them out:)
Hope everyone is well and that you all have a good weekend planned.
Nothing planned here other than installing new furniture in DS1's room. Had my hair highlighted yesterday and blonde and gold highlights put in so feel like I'm back to being "me" again:)
I'm seriously considering some Botox though!! Or a face lift
It's not so much that I'm wrinkled, to be honest, but things to be "sliding" ever so slightly:eek::D
ETA - thanks greenbee - you could have a point there; I do have trouble absorbing iron, and I'm constantly tired lately - I've started taking vitamin C to see if that helps with the tiredness!