Cutting it Fine - the challenge is on!

SandyShores

Had a restful Saturday and its takeaway night so no cooking and no food shopping today.   Managed to do a quick swiff round with the brush and vacuum - its so easy with a new and more symmetrical house so it doesn't feel like a huge task to make it feel clean and tidy.  Our old house had so many nooks and crannies, plus the vacuum cleaner plugs into the hall socket and does the whole house.  We bought a shark last year and one of the pluses is a much longer cable than our old dyson.  

Running went well this week, so I'm looking forward to my takeaway later.  I've lost about a stone and a half altogether of the horrible menopause weight that snuck up on me, its taken a long time to get a grip of shifting and the same again to go.  I've kept some of my pre-weight gain clothes, but its funny because once they fit again they are tending to feel a bit frumpy, so I have been filling up those CS bags again.  I'm starting to love being able to wear jeans and tops working at home - I feel like a teenager when I used to live in Falmer jeans, checked shirts and boots.  I have a couple of projects in my sewing box so I'm looking forward to starting those tomorrow.  Another dream of mine is to be able to make my own clothes - hopefully I'll be able to make something simple soon - Malcolm Gladwell says it takes 10,000 hours to master a skill so I'd better get started

I've been on the internet today looking at furniture I'd like to buy.  Resisted it all as I have a plan to buy second-hand and upcycle (another dream of mine), although I did use my amazon voucher towards a bird feeding station.  Bought quite a tall one so that the cat can't leap up - its 2.4 m - so way higher than the fence.  Hopefully we will get some birds in the garden in a few weeks - a new estate doesn't seem to have much in the way of wildlife - I'm also planning another flowerbed to encourage butterflies and insects. 

sofarbehind

Hi SandyShores,
Lovely diary. I smiled at your list of goals because mine are very similar. Well done on the weight loss. I seem to be going backwards with running and weight loss this year though - I can't stop eating in lockdown and have put back on most of the pounds I lost after the last one! Oh dear.

I'm looking forward to following your journey, it's nice to read about someone taking on a bigger mortgage a bit later. I've been trying to pluck up the courage for a few years and I'm getting to the now or never stage.. 

SandyShores

Hi sofarbehind, thank you for popping in and I'm glad my diary made you smile.  

Nice to have someone to empathise with about the weight loss and running.  I'm starting to get really worried about the weight going back on - partly because I've thrown away my big clothes (well there's a few in the CS donation bags still) but its so much easier to run after shedding those pounds and I want to keep it that way.

During the last lockdown I did the calculations for my BMR (weight/height/age/activity), and I've just updated them for my new weight - its only a few calories less so not much difference.  My calculations say that I can eat 2100 calories for maintenance, so I will aim to be slightly under again at 1800 and see how it goes.  I used Myfitnesspal and its linked to my running app, so it automatically adds the activity calories to your allowance, which encourages me to be active if I want to have a bigger meal, say at the weekend.

Sorry if that sounds really boring - there's nothing worse than listening to people go on about their diet.  The blip for me has been moving house and although I've only put a few pounds on, it doesn't seem to be stopping or going down again.  Its good to reset and feel like I'm in control again.

I haven't done much towards my goals this weekend, although working out my BMR today and starting myfitnesspal again is working towards my weight loss goals and I am planning a run later today (I got up early but was a bit sniffly and then had a nosebleed so will leave it for a little while).  I did get my sewing stuff together ready to get started (I'm such a procrastinator) - but I know what I'm going to do now so its a start.  I also rescued a few items from CS bags - oh how I'd love to have a workroom where I could put it all, ready to go .   I also need to write to my aunt and uncle so I will pop out to get a Christmas card later - a few more steps to the post office.  Then I'll have a look through the job vacancies later this afternoon and plan how to apply for a course I want to do through work.  And I'll find out my weights routine and dumbbells - I was doing those three times a day in the last lockdown - it was helpful to get up from the computer screen and move - and upper body strength is good for running (well I guess any strength must be).

Right, off to have some breakfast and log it for the first time for a long time.

SandyShores

I feel like my diary has slightly veered off track from the mortgage, but its nice to focus on something different for a change.  

Its only been one day but I feel back in control of the weight loss again using the MFP app.  It really made me think twice about reaching for a packet of crisps or a chocolate, and my portion control was a lot better.  The app says I need to eat only 1700 cals a day to lose 1lb a week, but I'll see how I get on - I'd rather lose weight more slowly than feel deprived and start craving food.  And I've decided to keep a separate track of overs and unders i.e. 3 runs a week = 1200 cals for a weekly treat if needed. 

I'm sure I've read something about feeling out of control in one area of your life affecting other areas.  I need to read up a bit more on that, but first to tackle the ever growing list of tasks towards my actions.

ps lovely to read the 'mortgage prisoners released' article on MSE today.  Pleased for those who will benefit and its nice to think that, if things unexpectedly change for us, this shouldn't be an issue in the future.

SandyShores

Keeping up the running and managed 5 miles today!  I definitely feel stronger, but not sure on the weight front as I topped up with mince pies and chocolates - well, it is Friday

I've found another job to apply for, so I need to get an application in before it closes.  And I'm looking at a course to do through work which should help longer term.

Few hobby bits to do this weekend and a bit of gardening too.  Will be daydreaming about planning my garden room office at the same time   Ooh that's just reminded me that its time to buy a lottery ticket for tomorrow - £11.8m to be won, so its got to be worth a couple of quid just in case.  I've probably mentioned before that I put £25 into premium bonds and £10 into the lottery each month - the £25 will always be there when I want it and it could win me a prize, but I like having at least one lottery ticket a week - you never know 🤑🤑  and I can dream   

SandyShores

Saturday was a lovely homely day.  Even peeling the potatoes feels better in your own home   (I can't imagine what it will feel like in your own home that's completely paid for!).

Payday has been, so its time to update the signature too.  Mortgage overpayments are on hold at the minute, until I can get into the BS and get my account online.  I've 'cashed in' my £370 from the save a £1/day for xmas.  I've set it against a couple of annual bills due in December and still have some left over for xmas spends.  

Then Sunday will be focussed on progressing my targets.  Writing them down has made me realise that I'm a procrastinator - so that's one thing I need to focus on.  Slow and steady progress - like paying this mortgage off

SandyShores

Oh my goodness, what a difference just a few hours can make.  From being very zen, I quickly went to being very dissatisfied and tetchy.  I was trying to add a post to someone else's diary and it took me three goes as I kept getting interrupted.  Then DH went to sainsbugs and came back with an opened packet of sausages.  He 'thought' he had checked them so it 'may' have happened in the carrier bag.  I'm just fed up of this recently - it seems that every shop I come home from there is something wrong with something.  The other day it was ham from Sainsbugs where the edge of the packet had been sealed over a bit of ham and it had gone off, a pizza from Aldee had black bits on the bottom, a loaf bought by DD the other day had a hole in the bag and I picked up a pack of pigs in blankets from Arsda cold aisle only to find out a couple of days later they belonged in the frozen section!  I need to up my game with checking stuff before it goes in the basket.  I think the mask wearing has made everything a bit harder so I've slipped a bit, but I've never had so much carp happen - what's going on?!  I've got to admit to being a bit lazy recently as well and just throwing the stuff away - but from now on it will all be going back!!  I have really had enough of it.

I feel better for getting that off my chest.  Anyway, while posting on the other person's diary I realised that my lack of fulfilment in my job ties in with Maslow's triangle and the 'Esteem' level.  I'm not sure how helpful it is to know that, although it feels good that there is something to measure against, but I'm off to read all about it and plan some actions - if I don't get anymore interruptions

SandyShores

Monday hasn't been so bad but I have been a bit achey today.  Probably whatever is causing that affected my mood yesterday.  I was mostly back to zen today thank goodness.  I had planned a trip to the shops for dinner, but cooked up spaghetti and tomato sauce from the cupboard/fridge - together with frozen garlic bread DH brought home a week or so ago - package was ripped of course (see my last post).  Honestly, I'm really not sure what is going on with the quality of packaging at the moment.

Not much movement in any of my targets, budgets or bank accounts today - which is good.  Almost at the £1,000 initial emergency fund and my other pots are looking quite healthy.  Trip to the supermarket will be tomorrow after work so I need to do some menu planning tomorrow.  I have to take a credit card with me, as I paid the wrong one and have ended up with a credit balance on one - in too much of a hurry.  I've also got cash again, which I can use at the self-service checkouts

SandyShores

Oh my goodness, I have been a bit spendy this month (and last).  Cupboards are full to bursting - some treats but some staples too.  Plus a biggish purchase for the house (early xmas present for us) and a few things from Amazon which needed purchasing, but it all adds up.  We're just waiting on a tax refund which we decided will cover it all and provide a bit for the emergency fund, but it is a very weird feeling when you are so used to saving every penny.  No regrets on the purchases, but  I've been feeling a bit overwhelmed and out of control these past few days.  I've just updated the spreadsheets, which made me feel a bit better then thought I'd have a look at the targets I set myself on here earlier:

• Lose Weight/Get stronger
• Get a more rewarding job
• Improve my running
• Add some depth to my life - hobbies, giving back etc.
• And my sort of fantasy goal is to build a garden room and/or buy a holiday property.  I just imagine having a garden room (for some reason its all white inside) where I can go and sew or paint, or a holiday apartment close to the sea where we can walk by the beach and relax.  Neither of these will probably happen, but then I never thought I'd pay my debts off or ever own a house again, so they are in the list as you never know 

and its brought me back to earth again.  I think sometimes I feel like its all out of control and I imagine it all going wrong/being in the same position in a year (or worse).  But I have to remember (I read this on someone's signature) that the mortgage will never be as big as it is today and we have a plan to overpay.  So all I have to do is to keep doing what I've been doing (wise words someone posted on my diary) plus watch my weight, keep running, apply for jobs and then add some hobbies etc. in any left over time.  Simples

couth

SandyShores said:

the targets I set myself on here earlier:

• Lose Weight/Get stronger
• Get a more rewarding job
• Improve my running
• Add some depth to my life - hobbies, giving back etc.
• And my sort of fantasy goal is to build a garden room and/or buy a holiday property.  I just imagine having a garden room (for some reason its all white inside) where I can go and sew or paint, or a holiday apartment close to the sea where we can walk by the beach and relax.  

Good luck OP! I have very similar long term goals - lose 1 st, job change, run more/better, more time for hobbies, even the last one - for me is sell my flat and buy a small house mortgage-free.

Please don't say it may never happen... you never know! As long as we still have dreams to chase we are alive!