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2020 - 'Nothing in your life will change until you make the decision to change'

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  • girlatplay
    girlatplay Posts: 3,884 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    jwil wrote: »
    No offence taken at all - what you are saying is exactly what I am thinking. When people without issues eat, they just eat what they fancy. They don't think certain foods are not allowed, or make 'fake' versions of food, they just have a little and stop. That is where I want to be and that is where I am very far away from.

    I am going to make very small changes and try and make new habits and reduce everything very slowly.

    I have bought a smaller plate and am working on eating 'less'.

    This is exactly what I meant. I'm so glad it sounded as I intended. I have lived with food issues for a long time (different issues from you) but I now understand what I'm supposed to do. I eat what I fancy but a lot of the time I fancy the healthy stuff. I love fresh food and I love cooking, creating a meal from all the various ingredients. I rarely have takeaways (apart from Asda create your own pizzas and the odd Chinese ;)) because I would rather make it myself. I know what's in it, it costs less and I get the satisfaction of my boyfriend telling me how great I am :rotfl: (true story). Really it comes from being skint though and now I just don't want to spend money on something I can make myself. Also, I like the SW recipes (I have a friend who does SW) and often make something from them. We know the obsession I have with cookery books though :o

    It's all baby steps and creating good habits. Only one or two at a time until they have become habits before starting another, as trying to do it all at once just puts you back to the start.

    Totally behind you here :)
    Mortgage at 12/07/2022 = £175,000
    Mortgage today = £161,690.76
    300 271 payments to go.
    House buyout fund £21,000/£40,000
  • jwil
    jwil Posts: 21,841 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    beanielou wrote: »
    Yes. My group closed :(.

    Mind did too, it's a shame when a nice group closes.
    If it's not doing it for you then there's little point in continuing. My only tip would be to put the veg on your plate first. I don't understand the concept of being able to eat as many potatoes, pasta, etc as you like.

    Joining a gym sounds like a great idea. I go to a keep fit class once a week. Well I say keep fit its more about stretching, keeping flexible and balance. Its aimed for us oldies that have mobility problems. I have arthritis with one knee bone on bone and my replacement knee is metal on metal. Getting back to keep fit it does make me feel good about myself.

    Yes, I do eat loads of fruit and veg. That's the main principle that I've taken away - the 1/3rd of the plate of veg thing.

    That's one of the concepts about SW that people abuse I think. Although potatoes, pasta etc are 'free', you are not meant to eat endless amounts, you are meant to have the 1/3rd plate of veg and only eat enough to satisfy you.

    Your fitness group sounds great, and yes, the exercise will really help I think.
    It sounds as if you have had a really important insight and intuitive eating is a great way forward if it works for you. I wish you well with it :)

    Thank you :) I think it will take me a long time to get there, but I really hope to. I'm not going to stress about it though, just focus on making those tiny changes.
    "If you can dream it, you can do it". Walt Disney
  • jwil
    jwil Posts: 21,841 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    mnkone wrote: »
    Hi jwil,


    I had a read through your diary and wanted to say something as my wife and I are tackling the same sort of things at the moment, the financials for me are just me doing that, but both trying to lose weight and focussing on her mental health. Which took a hit around 6 months after having our daughter.


    In regards to the weight loss, what I have found to be the biggest change, is we started to plan a single meat with 5 out of the 7 meals a week we have, it sounds boring I know, but with doing that, we have a single portion of rice or potato each (very occasionally a few chips), mixed peas and sweetcorn, plus 1 other veg. My wife is quite a picky eater, so chicken really was the only option, but chicken also goes with the most powders/sauces to text, it also meant we now freeze a weeks worth so we always have it in.
    I am a big snacker, so for me its really hard to not have a bag of sweets or something savoury added to my normal lunch.


    Mental health wise. not that I can say much, as I don't suffer, only support. But again, the biggest thing for us, is that even though my wife doesn't want to be away from our daughter more than she already is, I make sure we have at least a monthly date night so to speak. Even if its just a couple of hours to go for a walk on a Sunday morning (which again helps as exercise).
    Hopefully you find something you can really enjoy which helps.


    Hi mnkone, thanks for that. It makes sense to base meals on one meat, it would certainly help with the finances. Thank you! I'll have a think about that. The snacking thing is a big one for me too.

    The 'date' thing is definitely something we should look at too. We don't have any childcare help, so have been out alone probably less than a handful of times in the last 7 years. It does have an impact and we should make more of an effort, thank you. Sounds like your wife has great support from you :)
    Hi JWIL - I related on SW too - I'd lose weight - drift off - get heavier - lose weight but not getting back to the original starting point - drift off - restart etc. I've decided to try the gym route instead this time - in the hope that boosts my metabolism, improve my figure, fitness, breathing - and reduces the spare time available for stuffing my face! I'll let you know how I get on.

    Check out whether there are any health based reduced price plans - there are where I live - and it can save a lot a month forever

    I'll be really interested to hear how you get on. Thanks for the health-based info, I'll look into it, it's not something I've heard of. Regardless of whether I lose any weight, it will only benefit me to exercise more.
    girlatplay wrote: »
    This is exactly what I meant. I'm so glad it sounded as I intended. I have lived with food issues for a long time (different issues from you) but I now understand what I'm supposed to do. I eat what I fancy but a lot of the time I fancy the healthy stuff. I love fresh food and I love cooking, creating a meal from all the various ingredients. I rarely have takeaways (apart from Asda create your own pizzas and the odd Chinese ;)) because I would rather make it myself. I know what's in it, it costs less and I get the satisfaction of my boyfriend telling me how great I am :rotfl: (true story). Really it comes from being skint though and now I just don't want to spend money on something I can make myself. Also, I like the SW recipes (I have a friend who does SW) and often make something from them. We know the obsession I have with cookery books though :o

    It's all baby steps and creating good habits. Only one or two at a time until they have become habits before starting another, as trying to do it all at once just puts you back to the start.

    Totally behind you here :)


    Thank you :) It all makes lots of sense, and correlates a lot with where I am moving towards with my thinking. There are some great SW recipes out there and I shall continue to cook with them. I'm not a great cook though so often things don't turn out like they sound :rotfl:
    "If you can dream it, you can do it". Walt Disney
  • jwil
    jwil Posts: 21,841 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    Thanks everyone for all the posts, it's really making me think!

    I went to aqua aerobics last night, and absolutely loved it. I used to, and haven't lost that. It's just amazing it had completely fallen off my radar! I'll definitely be going again. If I'm still as keen at the end of next month I'll look at the membership option.

    Two more days til payday, I can't wait!
    "If you can dream it, you can do it". Walt Disney
  • savingholmes
    savingholmes Posts: 28,953 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    Hi JWIL glad aqua aerobics went well. I always found them full on so respect!

    Council based gyms often have schemes - you have to say your inactive or have certain health conditions but quite often can get on a reduced rate programme. Your doctor used to have to refer you - but now you can self refer
    Achieve FIRE/Mortgage Neutrality in 2030
    1) MFW Nov 21 £202K now £174.8K Equity 32.77%
    2) £3K Net savings after CCs 6/7/25
    3) Mortgage neutral by 06/30 (AVC £22.5K + Lump Sums DB £4.6K + (25% of SIPP 1.1K) = 28.2/£127.5K target 22;12% updated 6/7
    4) FI Age 60 income target £16.5/30K 55.1%
    5) SIPP £4.6K updated 6/7/25
  • Great that you enjoyed your aqua aerobics class :)
    If you have built castles in the air, your work should not be lost; that is where they should be. Now put the foundations under them

    Emergency fund 0/1000
    Buffer fund 0/100
    Debt March -1,119 (April) -889 (April) -498 (April) -378 (May) -875 July (190)
  • jwil
    jwil Posts: 21,841 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    Hi JWIL glad aqua aerobics went well. I always found them full on so respect!

    Council based gyms often have schemes - you have to say your inactive or have certain health conditions but quite often can get on a reduced rate programme. Your doctor used to have to refer you - but now you can self refer

    Oh I didn't know that, it's the council one, so I shall definitely ask. There's a really good offer showing in my account at the moment, unlimited swimming, gym and fitness classes for £30 a month. With 4 x aqua aerobics and one other session, that would be money saving. However, I suspect the deal is a January sale type one, and I can't do it this month :( I'll see what's on there at the end of Feb and also ask about whether there is a referral scheme or not.
    Great that you enjoyed your aqua aerobics class :)


    Thank you :)
    "If you can dream it, you can do it". Walt Disney
  • jwil
    jwil Posts: 21,841 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    Decluttering categories (roughly following Marie Kondo) with my own sub categories.

    Clothing
      [STRIKE]
    • Mine[/STRIKE]
      [STRIKE]
    • Little Jwil[/STRIKE]
      [STRIKE]
    • Little miss[/STRIKE]
    Books
    • Mine
      [STRIKE]
    • Kids[/STRIKE]
    [STRIKE]Paperwork[/STRIKE]
    Miscellaneous (Komono)
    Kitchen
    • Cutlery
    • Crockery
      [STRIKE]
    • Pans[/STRIKE]
    • Equipment
    • Food
    • Cleaning products
    Toys
    Stationery
    [STRIKE]Christmas Decorations
    [/STRIKE]
    Airing cupboard
    • Towels
    • Bedding
    DVDs
    Toiletries
    Accessories
    Nick nacks
    Electrical
    Computer files

    Sentimental
    • Photos (hard copies)
    • Photos (digital)
    • Holiday stuff
    "If you can dream it, you can do it". Walt Disney
  • jwil
    jwil Posts: 21,841 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    My targets for Jan:

    Money:
    • Find 5 things to sell on eBay (and list them!) - done :T
    • Meal plan for the month - Done weekly :T
    • Budget max £25 pw for any top up groceries - nope
    • Keep up with surveys and cash out if possible. - cashed out a few times :T :)

    Health:
    • Stick to SW plan for 30 days - 5/30 hmmm...
    • Commit to at least one x 'Active 10' each day - 34/31 :T Not every day, but with a day to go have managed 342 mins, so achieved overall target :T
    • Achieve SW 'Bronze' body magic certificate - N/A now
    • Complete 4 x full body workouts - 2/4 ok
    • Finish taking anti-depressants (GP approved) done :T
    • Complete 1 x mindfulness activity each day - mostly
    • Listen to weightloss therapy each day - not really achieved

    Decluttering:
      [STRIKE]
    • Complete 'clothing' sections[/STRIKE]
    • [STRIKE]Complete paperwork[/STRIKE]
      [STRIKE]
    • Complete Christmas decorations[/STRIKE]

    That's not too bad really :T :j
    "If you can dream it, you can do it". Walt Disney
  • jwil
    jwil Posts: 21,841 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    Debts 2020:

    1. [STRIKE]£8,309[/STRIKE]/£8,308
    2. [STRIKE]£3,778[/STRIKE]/£3,777
    3. [STRIKE]£1,872[/STRIKE]/£1,871
    4. [STRIKE]£4,759[/STRIKE]/£4,758

    Car: [STRIKE]£1,600[/STRIKE]/£1,550
    HMRC: [STRIKE]£288[/STRIKE]/ £0 :j

    Mortgage: [STRIKE]£112,675[/STRIKE]/£112,302

    Other 'debts'

    General emergency Fund - [STRIKE]£1,000[/STRIKE]/£999
    House emergency fund - [STRIKE]£4,000[/STRIKE]/£4,000
    F&F fund - [STRIKE]£10,000[/STRIKE]/£10,000
    Mortgage overpayments - [STRIKE]£20,000[/STRIKE]/£19,999
    House renovation fund - [STRIKE]£20,000[/STRIKE]/£20,000
    Car replacement fund - [STRIKE]£3,000[/STRIKE]/ £3,000

    'Official' debt of - [STRIKE]£20,606[/STRIKE]/£20,264
    = £342 paid, 1.66% cleared :T

    Unofficial 'debt' (aspirational savings targets) of - [STRIKE]£58,000[/STRIKE]/£58,000
    = £2 paid, 0% cleared
    "If you can dream it, you can do it". Walt Disney
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