All change..... Determined to be solvent, single and successful

mumblingtaff

Back from the dog rescue mission - traffic wasn't too bad today thankfully.
Had some lunch then took the dog to the park for half an hour for a stretch of the legs and some fresh air for us both.
He seems really well and I'm very glad to have him home.
Mum gave me £30 that I'd forgotten that she owed me so that was a nice surprise that will swell the coffers a bit.

I'm officially on a diet now. I weighed this morning and was not best pleased. I need to lose at least a stone, preferably a stone and a half. My medication hasn't helped at all (one of the side effects is weight gain) but I haven't helped matters either. I'm using MyFitnessPal again as its worked for me before, tracking calories and exercise. I'm aiming for 1200 cals a day and 30 mins of exercise 5 times a week. Feeling quite determined about it and I can be very single minded when in the right frame of mind so hopefully my resolve lasts

I'm going to go for a run in a minute to get the ball rolling - that will make 6 out of the past 7 days doing at least 30 mins of exercise either in the gym or running.

Right, better strike while the iron is hot......

mumblingtaff

Run done - feel better for it too. Good to get a sweat on and stretch my legs.
Also made leek and potato soup with dumplings for tea (all within cal allowance) - was actually really nice and have another portion for an easy quick tea tomorrow after work. The diet has gone well so far today - am full and feel quite positive.

Have changed the bed and done the last load of washing - everything is now washed, clean, dry and put away, all nice and tidy again.
All the clocks and timers are now the right time too - got a bit confused mid afternoon what time it was but all sorted now

Caught up on corrie while pottering about this afternoon - it's all been happening! Planning to get my clothes ready for work tomorrow, do a face mask and watch a bit of telly before attempting an early night.

mumblingtaff

Managed to get a fairly good sleep last night and felt quite refreshed this morning.
A really busy day at work doing one performance management review after another for eight hours and I still haven't finished them! Admin staff still to do.....
All that followed by a 90 min SLT meeting then a trek home in rubbish traffic. Managed to get back at dusk (it's so early now!) and shoved the dog in the car and took him straight to the park for half an hour.
Have done an hour and a half of work this evening after tea (thankfully made it yesterday), walked the dog again for another 20 mins and had a bath and cleaned both upstairs bathrooms, got my clothes and packed lunch ready for tomorrow and cleaned the kitchen. Think I deserve a sit down now!

The diet has gone well today - stuck to my cals, done 10000 steps and no wine! Let's hope I can keep it up.

joeyjimbles

I'm with you on the threading, love the results but walking around Selfridges (SIL buys me a voucher every year as Neice used to work there) with the glowing pink eyebrow area isn't a favourite look. It's never actually hurt though - weird buzzing feeling but that's all - the ladies there are amazing but it's quite a bit dearer.
Good luck with the diet. Menopause is definitely hitting my waistline and I'm trying to fight back but the cold and the lure of carbs and stews is trying my determination. Soup is my friend.

mumblingtaff

I know exactly what you mean Joey! Cold weather turns us back into cave women ! Had a nice simple tea of chicken breast, new potatoes and peas - sounds really boring but was actually really good. Good for the diet too.
Whilst I was waiting for it to cook, I cleaned the wooden floors, put the suitcase back in the attic, got tomorrow's clothes and packed lunch ready and tidied out the fridge and froze some bits I won't use in the next couple of days. Felt quite productive

Had a soak in the bath as its pouring down and the dog won't go out for another walk this evening in it (already been to the park with him after work) and have moisturised everything and cleansed my face properly (don't do that enough ....). Am trying to use up lots of half used bottles of moisturiser to declutter a bit.

Felt like I was on a roll so have finally tackled the underwear drawer and binned a huge carrier bag full of manky old bras that haven't seen the light of day for years. Felt quite cathartic! I can actually shut the drawer properly now. I'll buy one or two new basic everyday bras soon to replenish and maybe chuck one or two of the older ones. Found some insoles while at it saving me buying some for some work shoes that are getting a bit whiffy but have plenty of wear left in them.

Had a busy day at work, lots of teaching and meetings but I did manage to also get next week's lessons planned out and practical requests in to the technician and a full set of books marked - unheard of!

I'm within cals for the day with a bit of room for some strawberries later if I fancy them and have done 11000 steps so far.
I'll be home earlier from work tomorrow so will do some sweaty exercise then.

Been listening to another audiobook - it's the third I've listened to by Denzil Meyrick - he writes Scottish crime novels that are very easy to get into. Having them whilst walking the dog and on my commute passes the time.
Been watching a couple of new Netflix series - Mindhunter and House of Cards. I'm very late to the latter but have quite enjoyed the first couple of episodes. Just finished Mindhunter - would recommend it.
Am also reading a new book - Hitman Anders and the Meaning of it All by Jonas Jonasson. Very entertaining even though it doesn't sound it

Had a complete no spend day yesterday and only spent £5 in change from my purse today on a box of diet cokes for work, so not doing too badly on the economy drive this week so far.

Going to check a few work things and settle down with some telly and try for an early night. Work will be a bit bonkers tomorrow so need a good sleep.

mumblingtaff

As predicted, work was mad yesterday with lots of issues to sort out. Was shattered by the time I got home and still had a load of exam papers to mark (it's mock week:()

Today was a bit better, very busy but have finally finished the performance management stuff for everyone and it's all written up and submitted so I can forget about it for a while now. Throw in some teaching, three duties, a load of meetings and invigilating an exam and that was pretty much my day. I managed to leave at 3.30 to make up for yesterday's madness and was home by 4pm, took the dog to the park for 45 mins before it got dark and then scoffed a ready made tea of veggie chilli (I made a vat of it last night) and then hoovered and dusted the whole house, tidied the bedroom, sorted the bins, got clothes and packed lunch ready for tomorrow and cleaned the kitchen and wooden floors (mucky woofer in the rain this morning). Everything is nice and clean and order is restored

Good news about next week at work though - I've managed to get all of the lessons needed all sorted out and so don't need to do them on the weekend. I'll have some admin and a report to finish (if I don't get any time tomorrow) but it's not too much.
I'm going to try to have as much of a weekend off as possible, hence the cleaning etc this evening. I'll need to pop to the supermarket for fresh bits at some point but need to write a list after doing a bit of a stocktake - I want to minimise spending on groceries until payday so will root around in the freezer and cupboards to see what needs using up.

Trying to summon the oomph to mark some more exams this evening but failing miserably so far - will whip the dog around the block again and then have a bath and see if inspiration strikes........not holding my breath ......

mumblingtaff

Having a well deserved day off today - spent last night at OHs and was a bit groggy this morning but it cleared after a dog walk in the park.
Popped to sainsburys for groceries and spent £40 but that did include hair dye and a pack of tights for work. Got £40 out of the cashpoint for the week - not going out tonight (OH is cooking Greek) so no big spends planned.

Good news - I weighed this morning and have lost 6lbs this week
More than happy with that. I have stuck to it apart from a couple of glasses of wine that I counted into my calories and only went over my cal limit of 1200 once (wine day...). It's given me the motivation to carry on - I know the first week is mostly water weight and bloat draining away but I feel like clothes are a bit looser too. I'd like to lose 2lbs this coming week to tip the total over half a stone so fingers crossed.

Have just had a nice warm bath and done a few preening tasks (defuzz, moisturising, deep conditioning of hair etc) and look quite presentable now. I'm still trying to make the best of myself and got a lovely compliment from two female colleagues this week saying that I always looked "put together" and had nice work clothes and I don't look my age. If I didn't put things ready the night before I'd go into work looking like I'd dressed in a jumble sale!
I have been trying to make more of an effort with skin and hair etc and a bit of a tan doesn't hurt and seems to hide a multitude of sins
I'm still working on a non-work wardrobe that's age appropriate but not boring but I don't want to buy anything else until I've lost around a stone (especially jeans, trousers or skirts as I seem to put weight on on my hips, bum and thighs). Mum wants to buy me something nice for Xmas when she comes up to do the shopping in a couple of weekends time - I'm toying with the idea of a new winter coat - she usually wants to spend about £100 so I could get a nice one for that and maybe a pair of boots for my birthday (which is just before Xmas).
I struggle with knowing what to wear in the winter - I don't like jumpers and don't know what else to wear when it's cold - will have to have a browse online and maybe a wander round some shops for inspiration.

Right, I'd better get going - supposed to be watching the rugby with OH!

mumblingtaff

Morning all!
Up fairly early this morning after an alcohol free and fairly good diet day yesterday. Stayed at OHs and left him in bed - he's going to see his son today so I'll be amusing myself for most of the day.
Have taken the dog to his favourite park for a good walk to blow away the cobwebs and put diesel in and hoovered out the car on the way back. I wanted to car wash it too but it was closed. Never mind. Have also spoken to mum and cleaned the wooden floors again (almost a daily occurrence in the winter with mucky paws ).

Today will consist of a little bit of work (only the bare essentials, I'm trying to have a weekend off as this last week was bonkers and the coming week will be just as bad), dyeing my hair, exercise of some sort (a run or some exercise dvd if it's raining), a bit of washing and cleaning the conservatory. Rock and roll ! Other than that I have no plans apart from another dog walk later. Just want a bit of me time - will probably be bored stiff by lunchtime!

crazy_cat_lady

Pleased that you've managed to get a bit of me time MT - hope that you've enjoyed it. Congratulations on the epic weightloss

mumblingtaff

Thank you Cat. Have just about managed to bore myself now.
Have cleaned the conservatory and a few other bits and bobs, done a 45min cardio workout (will be stiff tomorrow) and dyed my hair and sorted my nails, face mask, moisturised everything and sorted out clothes for tomorrow (digging a suit out that I rarely wear so it will look like a new one at my new school ) and made a packed lunch.
I've also made a nice Sunday lunch for me and the dog staying well within cals and walked him again.
Had a little sort out of my make up bag and jewellery drawer too.

Amongst the pottering, I've managed to watch the last three episodes of Line of Duty series two. Didn't watch that series the first time round and really enjoyed it.

Going to watch a bit of telly and then try for an early night - this week is promising to be a tough one and I need to be on the ball.