NST August: Cut the chaff

swimminginaseaofdebt

greent wrote: »

Hello!!

As a new mum your health is very important, especially if you're doing it alone. Your goal could be ensure you go to your 6/8 week PN check. Eating is also part of being proactive about your health - as is attending mum and baby groups (possibly good for mental health) so you seem to be well on the right track

Don't stretch yourself too much, though - be kind to yourself

xx

Brilliant, I never even thought of these things will definitely be stealing these ideas!

On that note I booked my 6 week post natal check today

I was planning to take the wee man (or rather more myself) to a Cinebabies showing of Finding Dory but he woke up late and I didn't want to stress myself getting there on time so we went on a wee jaunt to the bank and shops instead. I certainly didn't do 10,000 steps but it's good to get out and get some exercise especially when your life suddenly revolves around feeding, burping and changing a baby every few hours!

Unfortunately I did end up spending some money (bought some envelopes, a bottle brush and a vegetable pasty from Greggs (yum yum)) but I'm planning to stay indoors tomorrow so it should be a NSD day.

Oh and a couple of bills which came out my of bank account today came under budget so I've paid the difference to one of my credit cards.

Eager_Elephant

Cut the chaff
… on food: not by deprivation but by replacing one ‘baddie’ with a ‘goodie’. I don’t believe in bad and good food, I tend to eat what I want when I want rather than restrict myself (I do have to accept that my weight fluctuates which this method but it's the healthiest way for me). Today I wanted chocolate which I had in my drawer at work and I was so busy I didn’t get to eat it – this would have been unheard of a few years ago.
If I am allowed to change this to drink then I need to make sure I drink enough at work, I often do home visits and get so carried away with work that I forget to drink and then I get a dehydration headache across my left eyebrow which lasts 2 days no matter what tablets I take or how much more I drink. I need to put myself first rather than my work.
… on wants v needs: each time you don’t buy a ‘want’ keep a tally of money not spent and add it all up at the end. Oohh, at the moment there is nothing I want apart from a pair of shoes for work so fingers crossed I manage this.
… on exercise: make a plan and carry it out. Focus and make it count. No time for extra exercise, I do at least an hour a day of walking/lifting water for animals etc
… on screen time: just 1 hour per day for leisure. Computer time is my downfall; I can lose hours on here!! TV I am fine with, I watch about an hour a week as don’t seem to have the time.
… in relationships: reduce time you have to spend with toxic people, those that drain you; nourish the good relationships and put time and effort in to them. Having a family BBQ this weekend which will be lovely as not seen all my brothers and sister together since our nan’s funeral in June 2015. Once a year meeting is fine by me!!
Need to make time for DS who is off to Uni next month and also for DD who is 13 going on 23 and growing up way too fast.
… on spending: this links to wants v needs. 15 NSD please. I will do this!!
… in health: we all have niggles (the older we are, the more we have!) Be proactive about them. Months ago I said I would go to the GP about some gynae issues and I still haven’t been. I need to get a grip this month – I have a week’s leave so will sort it then.
... in possessions: we usually have far too much stuff that clutters up our physical asurrounding and our mental state. Look at this objectively: if you do not love the item and find joy in it, then let it go! I need to keep on decluttering, I had been following KonMari but only got as far as clothes. I do get rid of other bits but not in the order she says and I keep coming back to clothes as my drawers are always overflowing and I need to keep reassessing my joyful clothes.

Make each day count towards the goals that are important to you. Do something every day that takes you one step closer to one of them, and tell us about it. I need to finish my treasurer stuff for the committee which I am leaving in September, the goal was to find more time for things I want to do and this committee is not conducive to that.

Budget for every day’s activities. Look ahead. Plan what is going on. Set realistic limits. The plan is no spending until w/c 22/8 when I have a week off. Need to plan some outings with DD.

Eager_Elephant

Today was a NSD.


Not done much towards my goal but have tidied the kitchen and got rid of some bits and pieces we don't need.

Carviscocker

Hi, Please can I join? I am trying to retighten the purse strings after becoming a bit to lax now I've paid the debt off


...on food: not by deprivation but by replacing one ‘baddie’ with a ‘goodie’.
I am working towards this already and have stopped buying 'crap'. if it's not in the house I can't eat it!
… on wants v needs: each time you don’t buy a ‘want’ keep a tally of money not spent and add it all up at the end.
Fab idea!
… on exercise: make a plan and carry it out. Focus and make it count.
I have booked a personal trainer so need to keep up with these appts
… on screen time: just 1 hour per day for leisure.
I do spend a lot of time on the internet so this sounds ideal
… in relationships: reduce time you have to spend with toxic people, those that drain you; nourish the good relationships and put time and effort in to them.
I had my final LBM last year which contributed to me sorting out my finances.. I also did an overhaul of my personal life i.e moved, cut out toxic people and started giving myself a break. I feel so much better but it needs attention and regular review
… on spending: this links to wants v needs. 15 NSD please.
i'll give it a go!
… in health: we all have niggles (the older we are, the more we have!) Be proactive about them.
again I regularly try and look after myself not only physically but mentally
... in possessions: we usually have far too much stuff that clutters up our physical asurrounding and our mental state. Look at this objectively: if you do not love the item and find joy in it, then let it go!
I plan to have a good clear out - tidy house tidy mind and all that!

misstara

A NSD today for me other than bills. Paid the electricity bill today as well as various direct debits going out. Walked to and from work, planning to go to the gym tomorrow morning.

mothernerd

August goals
Budgets
Food £70 Party £50 Travel £25 Extras £35 (inc £25 for a radio) Skip £100? only need smallest size (1 - 2 yards) Savings £150

Cutting the Chaff
Food cut out the carp, lots of carrots, celery, broccoli and cauli

Wants allowing myself one the per month from list written when I ahd debts. Will consider everyday purchases more.

Exercise walking, walking. more walking

Screen Time Counting this thread and a couple of others as therapeutic. Emails don't take long (will keep up my daily clicks with the Greater Good site). Can lose my niece and her wife's daily round of zumba photos and lost cats on bookface. Love my games though. I have several episodes of Beck to watch so will have half an hour for games on alternate days and watch one episode (1.5 hours) on the other days if I don't fall asleep in the middle.

Relationships Already trying to set this up. Looking forward to seeing my cousins at the surprise party.

15 NSDs Try try and try again.

Health See below.

Possessions on- going battle. Slightly worried that the day my house is sorted some one will die and I will be back to square one - I already have my speech ready, imploring my brother, sons and nieces to please say if there is anything they would like.

Making each day count Fully intend to. Three hour afternoon nap is giving me short days though.

Today Monday 1 st August
Walked to the doctor. One person in the waiting room. Chose to see the nurse practitioner. Said I wanted anti-depressants (felt weird because I was almost giggly happy today). Ticked lots of boxes on the list so have pills. Wanted to refer me for counselling but I have already sorted that.

Asked if I was E's daughter - yes. He had a request for a repeat prescription item but was unclear, could I go there and phone back with details. After more screen time, we decided which drops were needed. Gave me mum's prescription. Also wanted me to see the practice nurse for diabetic review. Back to reception to make repeat appointment in 2 weeks (check the pills and that things aren't any worse).

Asked to sit down again and wait for practice nurse. Sugars were fine but they had missed cholesterol off my last blood tests so could I go and get that done. Another appointment to see her next week when bloods are back.

More people in blood clinic than I have ever seen (people in the corridor) so took my ticket and went to the pharmacy to get mine and mum's prescriptions. Queue had moved from 11 to 20 when I go back (I was 37). Blood taken (bruise from last time just fading).

Took diagonal shortcuts across town centre and bus station. Very sorry apple but I bought a meal deal. Travelling to the house of white bread, biscuits and cakes where food labels are ignored. Chose healthy food over my purse (diverting back to home would have added a further 3/4 of an hour). Over the dreaded bridge (not too bad today, I must be improving).

Eye drops handed over, ate lunch, listened to mum chatter, refused a taxi home and walked all the way back (very slow, bridge no more trouble than the rest of it). Arrived home at 2.30pm and had a nap. Been out to post 2 more invites (people already know about the party but haven't had their invite) and another little walk to the SM for apples, bananas and crispbread (very little ys and not very interesting).

Today I am grateful for health professionals who listen, for the sight of a beautiful butterfly (first large one seen this year) and for a lovely notecard from the cousin who lives furthest away.

thriftylass

Nsd today. Probably not tomorrow though as I'll need calpol (and other bits) for DD. Will be home with her tomorrow as she has a scratched cornea after DS threw sand at her on a beach on Sunday. She'll hopefully be better soon. Will have to see how she is in the morning to decide what i might get done while home. I might do a Jillian Michaels video while she naps at some point to kick start my exercise again.

I will update my signature to August when I'm back at work

greent

Reporting in for day 1.
- did not eat of the cookies we took out with us today (Also did not eat my bag of cherry tomatoes, either - but didn't replace them with a 'baddie')
- n/a today - out all day with children at a waterpark. Nothing to buy. Managed to accidentally get free parking. OH bought some lunch food there as not allowed to take full picnics, just a few snacks
- exercise (not showing on my fitbit as it was at a waterpark ) - quite a bit of walking. No real swimming but lots of playing in pools with smallest 2 children/ wave jumping etc.
- screen time - less than an hour on here/ fbook today. No tv.
- relationships - am spending all holiday with my husband and children - and it's mainly been argument free! Eating together, playing together
- health - some exercise taken. Food choices not bad overall. No alcohol. (Can't make any appts until back home)
- possessions - will leave currently-reading book in villa's bookcase when I leave. Have also decided to get rid of a vest top that I brought with me as the lace edging is quite scratchy and therefore not joyful (plus I noticed earlier that it (the lace) has come apart slightly from the top in one area, making it not fit for donating)
- making each day count - spending fab time with family having fun. Taking only a few select pics and choosing the best of those on an evening to upload to online storage.

Wishing us all an amazing August
x

apple_muncher

Ccl - just some thoughts re food when you are in Lunnon with the children. Will the hotel room have a kettle - I would assume so. You could bring down packets of foodstuffs that only require boiling water - oaty thingies for breakfast, pasta things for tea? Brings crisps and cakes and biscuits to take out and about. Tea bags/coffee and a flask. Nuts, sweets. I know that much of this is not healthy, but it saves all those pennies when you guys are needing some munchies.

Have an amazing time!

dolly84

apple I would like to join in again. Some of you may remember me, I used to take part in NSK's day and the NST challenges and even ran the challenge a couple of times. I intended to pay off my debt by December at the latest, was hoping for November but actually did it in July. I want to join in again to keep me on the straight and narrow and help me to boost our savings.

August is always a tough month with the kids being off school, day trips and a holiday but here we go:

Cut the chaff
… on food: not by deprivation but by replacing one ‘baddie’ with a ‘goodie’.
I will go for crisps and tackle chocolate later.

… on wants v needs: each time you don’t buy a ‘want’ keep a tally of money not spent and add it all up at the end.
Beauty products and foodie treats are a problem for me.

… on exercise: make a plan and carry it out. Focus and make it count.
I cycle and run regularly plus lots of dog walking.

… on screen time: just 1 hour per day for leisure.
I only watch about an hour of tv in the evening but it is on with other people watching more than that, will try to limit internet time mainly.
… in relationships: reduce time you have to spend with toxic people, those that drain you; nourish the good relationships and put time and effort in to them.
I lost my dad quite suddenly in May which has thrown my sister back into my life after barely speaking for 13 years, she requires a lot of pity and attention and brings out the worst in me.

… on spending: this links to wants v needs. 15 NSD please. This will be very difficult with the kids being at home for the holidays, we have a holiday this month but I won't count the spends from that as they are budgeted for.

… in health: we all have niggles (the older we are, the more we have!) Be proactive about them.
I am very lucky to be robustly healthy physically and mentally and make an effort to keep it that way.

... in possessions: we usually have far too much stuff that clutters up our physical surrounding and our mental state. Look at this objectively: if you do not love the item and find joy in it, then let it go!
I am a fan of a good clear out but we do still have too much. I have a few bits to put on ebay this month so will get on with that - I do hate ebaying though.