Frump to Fab 2019 - Here We Go Again

lessonlearned

Right so this year I spent the first half saying "No". no to aggravation, No to stress, no to people who drain me, no to negativity, no to bad food choices, no to sadness and grief and saying goodbye to the widow. You get the idea.

Now....as part of my "Birthday Resolution" I shall spend the next 6 months saying a big "YES". Yes to joy, fun and pleasure, yes to new experiences and broadening my horizons, yes to being open to new chances and opportunities.

So I shall accept any invitation or offer that comes my way that looks half way like being any kind of fun. I shall step out of my comfort zone and channel my inner adventuress.

Time to shake the tree and see what falls to the ground. :rotfl:

I have to say joining Meet Up has been a great spur and motivation. I am getting out and about, meeting new people, making new friends. To anyone stuck in a rut, or finding themselves either newly single or in a new town because of a job move I would say go for it, give it a whirl.

I have now joined two separate groups and am looking at a third.

I am attending a function today through one of the groups. A bite to eat whilst listening to live music in one of our cities trendiest pubs. Get me.

Looks like some of my new trees are dying......don't know what's wrong. I might be able to rescue them by transferring them to pots with fresh soil, loads of compost and plenty of TLC. Worth a try. A bit of a blow but I think gardening can be a bit of a game of chance. Not everything you plant will thrive. One of nature's life lessons, which applies to humans just as much as plants.

Plants need TLC and so do we. We all need nurturing.

Always remember fabbing isn't just about how we look, it's also about how we feel. And to all those who think fabbing is mere vanity I would say there is a world of distinction between self obsession and self care.

Going back to what Maman says about mutton......I think women who fall into that trap are the ones who are both self obsessed and insecure. Rather sad souls really.

Of course we all want to look and feel as good as we can. We all want to be the best we can be, that's why we are here. But......you can only go so far in holding back the years and none of us can really "Turn Back Time". Not even Cher. :rotfl:

If I could I would.....I would give 10 years of my own life if I could have another 10 years with my husband but it isn't going to happen.

So it's goodbye widow and hello solo.

Time to start saying "YES"!!!!!!

I'm 68 now and I intend to embrace the passing years with gusto, aging with grace, charm, wit, elegance and dignity. I have no intention of trying to be 30 again.

70 is the new 50.:rotfl:

FrankieM

Happy Birthday weekend LL

I spent last weekend (or should I say 'long' weekend looking after 3 of my grandsons while my DD2 and her partner had some time away.

It was lovely, but I'd forgotten how hard and tiring it was...so much crying and poo..

I've spent this week trying to catch up on sleep as much as anything!

Your post has really resonated with me LL because far from adding something to my life every month, I've let things slip and find my only real 'social' life is work and family and that has got to change!

While I've been a member of a few meetup groups for quite a long time, I've to barely any events and that has to change.

My life is not going to change unless I change it and it's time I got myself out there because as wonderful as my own space and time on my own is, it's also important to get out and meet people so, if I may, I'm going to join you LL in saying yes to more and joining in more and generally 'adding' more to my life

FrankieM

On the fabbing front, I'm catching up on housework and I need to get some gardening done (I wish I enjoyed it more ).

I've coloured my greys and I'll be doing nails and hair removal later on this evening.

My meal plan is also sorted (that also went a bit off piste) and I'm going to start planning my daily outfits for work the evening before.

I need to start using my evenings a bit more productively, it's become far too easy to just slump in front of the tv until a ridiculously early bed time.

melodyladygunslinger

Hello everyone:wave:

I have come across this thread and I'm hoping it can help me feel better about myself☺ That maybe writing down how I am doing/feeling will help me see what is wrong with me and move forward in a more positive way.

On Christmas Eve last year, I was 21st , in alot of pain and hated myself. I have suffered with anxiety and depression for many many years and it was just getting me down and I hated being that way. I have a wonderful husband, a beautiful daughter, a job and my own home so I should be really happy and I am with all of that. But I hate what I see in the mirror and for getting to the ugly me I am now. So I decided to try and change.

As of today, I have lost 1st 4lbs so I'm going in the right direction:) Its nice to have lost some weight but it's not enough so I still feel very low as I was hoping to have lost alot more than that by now:(

I apologise for the self loathing post but hopefully I can improve and get into a better frame of mind with the help of writing my thoughts down and the positiviness of this thread:j

I look forward to speaking to everyone on here and having a happier, positive 2019😀

sugarbaby125

Happy Belated Birthday Moll :bdaycake::grinheart:grouphug:

Congratulations on losing a stone in weight :j

sugarbaby125

Melody welcome to the thread.

I am sure that you will soon find that this thread will help to motivate you and inspire you

I am sure that you feel overwhelmed with your weight loss journey and how much weight you ultimately want to lose, but the most positive thing is that not only do you want to make a change in this area of your life, you have begun to make a change.

Congratulations on losing over a stone. :j

Wednesday2000

melodyladygunslinger wrote: »

On Christmas Eve last year, I was 21st , in alot of pain and hated myself. I have suffered with anxiety and depression for many many years and it was just getting me down and I hated being that way. I have a wonderful husband, a beautiful daughter, a job and my own home so I should be really happy and I am with all of that. But I hate what I see in the mirror and for getting to the ugly me I am now. So I decided to try and change.

As of today, I have lost 1st 4lbs so I'm going in the right direction:) Its nice to have lost some weight but it's not enough so I still feel very low as I was hoping to have lost alot more than that by now:(

That is a fantastic start!:T

lessonlearned

Well done Melody.....that is a brilliant start.

Welcome to the thread. Let's turn that self loathing into self care and ultimately self love. You can do it, and we will be with you every step of the way, cheering you on and giving you a pep talk when you need one.:rotfl:

I have just been tackling some of the easy weeds, just part of my one hour a day rule.

What is this.... i hear you ask.

Well it's my rule for anything I don't particularly want to do, anything that is difficult or boring, I figure I can stand it for one hour and if I stick with it consistently then eventually that l hr a day will add up to several hours, in fact as many hours as it takes to get the job done.

It's the old "Can you eat an elephant thing" Yes, of course you can, just one portion a day. Maybe even have a day off now and again but ultimately you will eat that elephant.

You can apply the same principles to your weight loss. Instead of feeling despair at far you have to go, celebrate how far you have come already. Then just break it down, one stone at a time.

In the meantime, don't wait to "glam up" - you can start now. Fix your hair, wear some slap, wear nice clothes in your favourite colours. If you can afford it treat yourself to some nice accessories to brighten up your outfit. Bags, scarves, costume Jewellery etc.

Don't put your life on hold whilst you lose weight, try to enjoy the journey. Travel the scenic route and make it fun.

Frankie......yes definitely start adding "MORE".

More fun, more joy, more pleasure. Get on the Meet Up website and sign up for some fun and frolics.

The world won't come knocking on our door......we have to meet it half way and give it a chance to find us. We have to get out there and grab life before we get too old and decrepit. Lol.

Need to rescue rescue my nails now after that gardening. If I had any sense I'd wear gloves......

Then a cuppa and a little rest and then get dolled up ready to sashay out and have some fun.

maman

:wave: Welcome melody.

Don't be disheartened. You've made a start, that's what counts. I've come a long way since joining this thread and I have to say that weightloss was the biggest positive change for me. How are you going about it? sugarbaby has done really well with healthier eating and regular exercise while LL and I have had success with the structure of a commercial plan.

Glad you enjoyed your birthday and that the celebrations continue LL. Birthdays (like a holiday, Christmas or New Year etc) are good opportunities for reflection.

I think the worst 'mutton' example I saw on holiday was an older, overweight woman wearing bikini bottoms that were no more than a thong. _pale_ That's a look that's difficult for even a skinny young girl to take but she looked positively disgusting.

My nails grew massively while I was away. The shellac didn't chip at all but the regrowth was looking bad. The nail bar was really busy on Friday so I just had polish removed (they have a guy who just does this) and I'll go back next week to have it done again. Meanwhile I'll keep rubbing oil in to my nails and cuticles as it does them good.

The sun has really bleached my hair too so free highlights!:D My fringe needs cutting but otherwise the shape is good. Tomorrow I plan to use a deep conditioner as daily washing, swimming and the sun have left my hair fairly dry.

I read about 6 books while I was away and am now heartily sick of chick lit. I amused myself by ticking off how many elements of the formula I could spot. I did read one Joanna Trollope which is slightly better written . I have a couple of CS paperbacks left to catch up on and then I need to look for some new authors. I'd like to join a book group but the only one I know of is held at a bad time for me which clashes with dancing.

Just pottering today and I haven't washed my hair as it needs a rest.

FrankieM

Hi melody

Happy Birthday moll

Finishing up for today, about to jump in the shower and then it's nails and moisturising, my skin feels very dry.

Food prepped for tomorrow and I'll get my clothes out for tomorrow before I go to bed.

Following from LL;s example, I've booked in a couple of meetup events for the week