Frump to Fab 2019 - Here We Go Again

silvasava

I have osteopenia in my lower back due to the side effect of medication (oestrogen suppressant) and consequently have a Dexa scan every 3 years. In the past I've had a paid for general health check but TBH I don't think the organisations that run sessions in various venues round the country would have a Dexa scanner. They can do one with a small meter on the ankle but that to me is too vague. As others have posted to ensure bone health especially as you age you need weight bearing exercise - walking the 10000 steps a day would be a great help as it also hugely benefits other organs too. I'm also prescribed Vit D & calcium tabs. I get outside in the sunshine when I can as the natural Vit D is good for your bones. So far over the last 10 years my results have been stable. Basically you need to keep moving and get outside!!!
Cold much improved this morning so a bit of fabbing in order. A moisturising facial after defuzzing and a thorough body creaming.
I do need to do a wardrobe cull over the next few weeks too

FrankieM

Morning All

I need some advice on overcoming tiredness. I think it may be stress related, in that I don't sleep very well or for very long and I'm also dealing with some after effects of jet lag, but I wake up tired, am tired all through the day and by 7pm, I'm struggling to keep my eyes open.

I have started taking vitamin D, thinking that it could be my general mood that also contributes to the tiredness, but other than that, I have no real idea where to start.

Any ideas that aren't going to cost me a fortune and that I can plan around a full time job?

Wednesday2000

Seven-day-weekend - The screening sounds interesting. I looked and my local one is at a hotel. How long do the tests take to do and how quickly do you get the results sent to you?

seven-day-weekend

lessonlearned wrote: »

Good morning lovely ladies......

Well I have definitely decided to go for that screening, I will ring them on Monday. The question is do I get it done in February knowing full well that the results will be bad and scare myself silly or do I do it March when I've had time to try and lick myself into slightly better shape. :rotfl:

I think probably the latter, because I'm such a coward. .

Moll. You are not the only one in bad shape, I know I need to act now before it's too late. However, I am resolved that this year I will definitely get my act together. By the end of this year I want to lighter, fitter, healthier and stronger. It's time to turn back that aging clock. Moll be my fitness buddy and shame me into action!!!!

One thing I will say and I know this sounds a bit new age hippy dippy but as I have made such good progress on the decluttering front I am starting to feel so much "lighter" - more energetic, more upbeat and positive.

I know it all sounds a bit airy fairy but I really do think that ditching all that furniture and opening up the rooms has done something. I feel that somehow the rooms can "breathe". Yeah I know I sound bonkers. But there's definitely something to be said for living with less.

Even just on a practical level it makes the room easier to live in, I was forever bashing myself on the coffee table for a start. I will have to replace that with a couple of fold up tables for when I have visitors so they have somewhere to put their cup or wine glass but when it's just me I have a side lamp table where I can put my coffee. I have my vase of tulips on there and they look so pretty.

In Feng Shuey they call it "chi" - energy or life force, same as in acupuncture.

Releasing the chakras innit.:rotfl::rotfl:

Are you all rolling your eyes in disbelief and sceptism.

Whatever.......this minimalism milarky is already working for me.....I just feel different.

I am also fasting today, so won't have brunch till around 12 and then try and keep my food intake into an 8 hour window. Not so much for weight loss but it will help my digestive system to recover.

Today I shall hang those paintings and Kondo my bedroom. Then give myself a facial and a manicure at some point.

Hope you all have a great weekend. Keeeeep fabbing.

I absolutely agree with what you say about 'lightness' although I would probably give it different labels to you and say 'all is well with my soul' and praise God for his blessing .

Can you let me know where to find more information about this eight-hour window for eating? I can't do the 5:2 diet because I can't cope with the fasting days, but eating within an eight hour period seems do-able. As you say, it clears out your system and 'lightens' your body (metaphorically as well as physically), in the same way living without clutter lightens your soul.

seven-day-weekend

Another debate however could be on the nature of 'clutter', which will vary from person to person.

For me it is frills, flounces, too many patterns and useless ornaments. Any ornaments we have are natural fossils and minerals and the occasional candle burner. Any artwork we have is either original paintings or sculptures. Most (but not all) of our paintings are my husband's pastels and acrylics, our 'sculptures' are a group of cats done in some sort of metal and a lovely rustic-looking vase with teasel heads in it. We also have a very pretty chinesey painted glass vase that belonged to my f-i-l. We have no family photos of any sort displayed (although of course we do have photos).

To some people that would be too impersonal, but that is our choice, that is what lightens our spirits.

seven-day-weekend

Wednesday2000 wrote: »

Seven-day-weekend - The screening sounds interesting. I looked and my local one is at a hotel. How long do the tests take to do and how quickly do you get the results sent to you?

It took about an hour and the results should come through in three weeks although ours took longer because of Christmas and New Year. You get a 26 page report.

Hope it helps!

lantanna

weighed myself today, first time this year. I’ve lost anything I’ve put on over Xmas so I’ve set myself the goal of 4lbs by the end of the month. I will keep you updated.

it’s saturday so there can be wine today. Doing well staying off it during the week. Not long in from work so a soak in the tub and a face mask are on the cards. Tonight will be a cozy night in.

Going to go through my cookery books and make a list for payday next week. Making chow mien for tea.

lessonlearned

Hi SDW

I can't remember where I found the info about 16:8 but I'm sure if you google you will find plenty. I think Michael Mosley mentions it but I can rember which book.

It works very well for people who can't manage the 5:2 because I don't think you have to be quite so strict about restricting calories. 5:2 for women usually means around 500 calories and that can be tough for some.

The reason I do it is not for weight loss (although it does seem to help) but to help me control my blood sugar levels and also to "rest" my digestive system when it's out of kilter.

It's pretty straightforward, basically you fast for 16 hours and then eat within an 8 hour window. Don't go mad and be tempted to "stoke up" though because you will feel very uncomfortable. Go easy on the carbs and make sure you get sufficient protein.

I find Eating between noon or 1pm and 8pm or 9pm seems to suit me best but obviously we are all different. I am a bit of an evening nibbler so 9 seems to be my optimum. Some people prefer to eat their last meal around 6pm but it's too early for me. I would be ravenous at 10pm.

If you struggle to go 16 hours straightaway just start at 12:12 and gradually increase. Even a 12 hour rest is good for your digestive system. If you can't get beyond 14 hours that will be fine. Fasting is for health, it's not meant to be a punishment. . A 14:10 fast combined with sensible healthy eating would be good enough.

If you eat carefully, simply reducing the food window should help you to reduce your calorie intake too which is why it can help with weight loss.

I do find 16:8 easier than 5:2 but I can actually combine the two without feeling too hungry on the the 5:2 days. Once I've done roughly 2 weeks on the 16:8 I will then crank it up and combine it with 5:2. The reason being I want to tackle my blood sugar levels for once and for all and actually reverse my diabetes to completely normal rather than languishing in the prediabetic range.

I know the 800 diet is quicker at reversing diabetes but it would be unsustainable for me. I would crack. Michael Mosley says that 5:2 is a viable alternative to the 800, but it just takes longer.

As you know I do try to eat a largely paleo diet because I am grain intolerant but I also try to have a couple of veggie days each week, as well as a couple of fish days. When I do 5:2 I don't combine fasting days with veggie days because I would be too hungry. I usually make them meat days rather than fish days. I know both fish and meat are proteins but I find fish doesn't fill me up the same as meat. I normally eat chicken on 5:2 days.

The next thing I have to tackle is dairy. I do love cheese and milk but realistically I don't think it's good for me. I think I am low on the enzymes required to digest it properly.

This week I have switched to lacto free milk and almond milk and have reduced my cheese intake . Lol. I might even need switch to lacto free cheese again for a while and basically only use it for cooking rather than eating it "au naturelle".

It's all a bit of a faff but if it keeps me pain free and comfortable and if it gets my blood sugars back to normal then it will worth it. My poor stomach has taken a real battering of late and I don't feel at all comfortable, first the holiday and then the antibiotics. It's going to take a while to get back to rights.

And of course any weight loss would be the (metaphorical) icing on the banned cake. :rotfl:

maddiemay

seven-day-weekend wrote: »

I absolutely agree with what you say about 'lightness' although I would probably give it different labels to you and say 'all is well with my soul' and praise God for his blessing .

Can you let me know where to find more information about this eight-hour window for eating? I can't do the 5:2 diet because I can't cope with the fasting days, but eating within an eight hour period seems do-able. As you say, it clears out your system and 'lightens' your body (metaphorically as well as physically), in the same way living without clutter lightens your soul.

In the last few months I have read many books regarding health, the digestive system, the gut biome etc, time restricted feeding has been mentioned in most of them, I found an explanation here by Dr Chattergee, I think it comes from "the four pillar plan" I found this an excellent read, easy to understand and follow. A very good IMHO website too.

lessonlearned

I've got that Dr Chattergee book too. I am trying to put some of his suggestions into practice, bit by bit. I found his sleep advice very helpful.

Apart from the odd restless night - usually my own fault - I am sleeping really well these days and I feel better for it. A good nights sleep makes a huge difference.