A whole new world, for now

HairyHandofDartmoor

You're doing really well with your eating plan. Belated congratulations upon being overweight instead of obese .

I do think that people feel more energetic when they cut down on sugar, once you get used to it anyway. I find that sugary food makes me feel tired and drained and I'm not missing how alcohol made me feel one little bit!

in_need_of_direction

Well, so much for all the willpower. Yesterday I had a chocolate biscuit, a wafer, a galaxy ripple, a square of chocolate, a toasted hot cross bun and a mini egg cake bar. Plus a dinner with food that I haven’t eaten in ages. That said, I just about got away with it with my bs still in range though considerably higher. Today I have just had a slice of wholemeal toast with a scrambled egg. I’m treating yesterday as a one off but don’t want to slip back. I’m going to try the 5:2 for a bit and see how I get on. The plan is to also build some exercise into the 5 days. If this can be in my “outdoor gym”, so much the better. A small bit of work was done there yesterday while dh was fixing the washing line. I got the full wash out and dried and only 4 items need to be ironed. Bed was stripped yesterday and is about to go into the machine.

Yesterday we replaced a multi plug at the back of the tv for a much neater version. We also removed 4 leads from the tv and or the various other boxes that were only plugged in on one side so clearly aren’t needed. I also scrubbed the floor behind it and the skirting board. The thing is, dh had just replaced one multi-way with another and was quite happily putting it the unit back. I sometimes wish I could be as oblivious as the rest of my family!

Today I have the funeral of an elderly aunt. I then have house and client stuff to get done.

Today I am grateful
That my body is better able to cope with sugar than previously
That my bs remains in range
That my aunt who was close to 100, died at home with her family

in_need_of_direction

So, bs down 1.5 points back to safely within range. That is good. I just need to sustain it when back to a normal working week. Yesterday I stopped off at sainsbugs on way home from the funeral to take advantage of the 25% off their clothing range that includes a go to essential for me. I also invested £12 in a challenge as I bought a pair of jeans one size down from my normal size. I tried them on when I got home and they fitted. A bit of a muffin top but not uncomfortable. I was delighted. Ok, there may be a sizing difference as I’ve never bought that brand before but I’ll take it. I don’t know how many years it has been since I was down to this size in jeans. I have already earmarked the hated pair that I’m getting rid of. If they hadn’t been in the laundry, I may have taken them to the clothing bank yesterday. I never liked them but needed something and they were bearable. I don’t understand why I put sugar over feeling good about myself. Yesterday we identified more items to go so today we will take these to the recycling site. We are also opening a joint post office account today.
Last night, I took down my old vision board and have restructured it. Things will be stuck down and a smaller version will go back on the bedroom wall leaving space for other pictures to be hung.

teapot2

Well done on fitting into the jeans :j I too ate lots of chocolate, biscuits and hot cross buns yesterday must be something in the air! While I wouldn't buy chocolate bars or eggs for myself, if I'm given them then I do end up eating them. No excuse re the hot cross buns though, I definitely bought them . Still today is another day.

You are doing really well, so much is down to mind set and you seem to have shifted yours.

beanielou

Great news on the jeans.

in_need_of_direction

Thanks tp2. I just hope it can become a habit. I left my last post part way through for both breakfast and thought processing purposes. In addition to my health issues, the big thing for me to tackle is the love hate relationship I have with my home.

I moved here close to 30 years ago with my now ex husband. At the time, we thought it was our happy ever after place. When we separated, after some not very pleasant times, the children wanted to stay here. He agreed to buy me out but then claimed he couldn’t afford it. (He went on to buy somewhere close at hand, less suitable and more expensive but that’s another story!)

While our marriage was in its death throes, I spent a lot of time out of the house as he rarely went out. I also stopped making an effort with it as did he. It’s an old house that needs ongoing upkeep. I did not want to stay here, there was too much history. The only plus to that was when it came to be valued for me to buy him out, it was at the lower end.

So I over extended myself to buy him out and clear the credit card debt that had accrued over the 10 months when he paid no maintenance, refused to allow the mortgage payment terms to be changed and when my shopping habit really kicked in. I also gave him a bigger settlement than he was entitled to and accepted less child support as I just wanted things sorted and also believed that I could always make money if I needed to. My poor solicitor nearly wept.

So, here I was with the crumbling wreck and no money for repairs. I lurched from one catastrophe to another even being grateful for an insurance payout for items stolen as it was the only way I afforded the repair of a leaking roof. Of course, I had family and friends I could have sought help from but, like so many here, I let my pride get in the way. Some family were totally opposed to the marriage breakdown, clearly they knew more than I, and there would have been a lot of told you sos.

Fast forward a few years, children living here intermittently between uni, overseas work, etc and the now dh moved in. It has taken me a while to accept that he is genuinely oblivious to so many issues. He does cooking but doesn’t see when repairs, cleaning, grass cutting is needed.

I have however realised that I am probably going to be here for at least another 2 years minimum and need to
1. Make this somewhere I can love
2. Make sure the value is created so that if we move, we get top whack.

We have been tinkering around the edges getting rid of stuff but that needs to stop now. We need space to live, to work and to welcome others to our home. Step one is finding a place for stuff we want to keep and getting rid of the stuff that needs to go. I have so much unused stationery that could be used for a house list but for some reason I have been keeping it for good!

Yesterday dh and I agreed that there would be no big holiday this year and instead that money is going to our home. Today’s task is dump, charity shop stuff and getting artwork onto walls. The walls may subsequently need painting but I just want things homed first so we see what we are left with. Wish me luck and hold me accountable.

Today I am grateful for
Extra energy
Agreement re holiday
Realising that the only thing stopping me from living in a nice place, is me!

beanielou

Good to get all your pland down.
Hope all goes to plan.
The ball is in your court

jwil

Good luck with the house plans

in_need_of_direction

Well, we got some stuff done yesterday but, as usual, not as much as we hoped. We had chicken on Sunday and had left overs which we combined with veg that needed to be used and had a chicken, leek and mushroom bake for dinner. It was good. We got rid of some stuff to the recycling centre yesterday, got home and realised we’d forgotten the item that prompted the mini clear out. Still, broken laundry basket, chair, etc is no more. We also tried to open a joint treat savings account in the post office. The lady was completely clueless so I’m not sure how this will work. We finally gathered up and sorted various gift wrap items which should help keep them good until needed and also reduce the random places they can be stored. Interestingly, dh found our supplies of Christmas cards that have been missing for the past 3 years. They were somewhere only he accesses but he has no memory of or reason for putting them there. Still, it’ll be a few pounds saved.

Today I have fasting long term sugar blood tests. I am both hungry and missing my cup of tea! My bs was slightly up today and I cannot understand why. I was active for most of yesterday and, while I understand that leeks have natural sugars, bar two chocolate buttons, there weren’t any dietary mishaps.

I need to get motoring today. There’s lots to get done. I have decided to stick with the client for up to 6 months working to and directing others along a clear task list. Today is the start of clear out to then see what remains. I also need to schedule some meetings. There will be push back but that’ll just mean that I’m having an impact!

Today I am grateful for
Access to money for bank account opening when they couldn’t accept the cheques we were trying to get lodged.
Time taken away from work stuff
A clear desk instead of a dumping ground in ds’s bedroom

HairyHandofDartmoor

Your house plans sound really positive . I always think a nice environment makes you feel much better within yourself. Getting rid of clutter makes housework a lot easier and is very cathartic I think.

Well done on getting back on track with your eating after an Easter blip. It's what you do most days that has the most impact, not what you do on occasional days .