Debt and Caring

savingholmes

I can understand why you had a takeaway. Perhaps find a way to enjoy it when you do rather than beating yourself up over it?

Hope you manage to have some time for you.

KeepOnKnitting

Hi @WelshmansDaughter. I am similar in that I tend to undereat when I am stressed. I have a couple of strategies that work for me.
I take a multivitamin daily. I keep the pack next to the coffee jar so that I am prompted to take it first thing and not forget. It helps me get the most out of the food I do manage to eat.

I keep certain stuff in the freezer to make a quick meal that isn't terribly unhealthy. As a veggie, for me it is "bakes", like the burger type veggie things you get in the freezer section, some frozen potato product like waffles, wedges or hash browns, plus the microwaveable veg packs. I put the oven on, and either immediately or when it has warmed up, pop the food in with the time on so I won't burn it. Then when I go to dish up, I can sling a veg pack in the microwave and it's about ready to go on the plate by the time I've got the rest out of the oven. I know it's not the best, but I've got a couple of portions of veg, some protein and some carbs for energy, so overall I think it's a good solution and not too expensive. It's usually faster than waiting for a takeaway as well.

I also keep snacks in, like cereal bars, flapjack, bananas, fruit loaf. Stuff that I can eat quickly when I am about to get hangry or realise it is too late and I'm already there.

Also when I used to work care shifts, toast with peanut butter or spreadable cheese before bed was a complete meal. Power naps were my friend back then. I once napped in the car outside my front door while I gathered the energy to go in the house.

Wishing you all the best.

WelshmansDaughter

I am very jealous of your ability to go to sleep KoK. I did have something similar in terms of 'go to' meals. Just tended to eat the same thing over and over again. Which was fine when it was broccoli, bacon and sweet potato. Not so fine when it was pizza. On one memorable occasion I went to an outdoor calisthenics class just after eating a pizza and wound up vomiting behind a tree in the park 🤦‍♀️

I didn't feel bad about the takeaway, more interested in how I was feeling. I have lifted the ban now as going to get a cup of tea feels meaningful again. And extremely necessary for my stress levels.

The bans are always interesting. The YouTube one generally means I feel better but get overloaded because I do too much. The takeaway one basically took away my only source of comfort 🤣🤣🤣 Not so much food wise but just getting a break from decision making and 'being in charge'.

Today has been a very spendy day. Have bought a wool duvet, a new mattress and a meat thermometer. Only two of those things are related 🤣🤣🤣 It seems blindingly obvious now but part of my sleep problems has been down to the mattress in my room. It is rock solid. It rejects me like a bouncer at a nightclub. Felix Fitbit tells me that I sleep but most of it is light. Hopefully the new mattress (amazon basics) and a warmer duvet will help increase the restorative sleep.

The plan re eating is to log it for a week and see what is missing. Then make a plan for the subsequent week. Today it has told me I need to eat spinach which is quite handy as I bought a bag yesterday 😀💪

Need to buy my sister a birthday present and start my Xmas list tonight. 

savingholmes

Lots of positives in that update. Pleased about the mattress

WelshmansDaughter

Thanks SH I'm hoping it will work out. Always difficult buying online. It says it's soft to medium firm so who knows what that will turn out like

WelshmansDaughter

Overdid it today. Not intentionally but ended the day like so:


Just did not pay any attention to food today and am now eating a bowl of porridge at midnight after dad woke up. I shouted at him in my hanger 🤦‍♀️
Just general snacks and junk type food today which has contributed to my grumpiness. That and not getting time to decompress after work. 
A good day for learning but a bad day for eating 

WelshmansDaughter

Teacup took over the nightshift last night then went off on her travels today. I had the morning in bed with breakfast and full episodes of hoarders. Coached myself through a slow start to the day then went a bit mad cleaning. Put the recycling bin outside the living room window, opened it and just threw everything out the window straight into the bin. Hoovered dad's room and put everything away. Got dad up and then got the new wheel chair signed off with the OT. deposited this week's wages. 
Put chicken thighs in CiCi and used the meat and liquid for soup. Washed all my bedding in preparation for my new duvet which does indeed smell like sheep. Have apple and sour cherries in the pressure cooker now in anticipation of making yoghurt overnight.

savingholmes

Sounds really productive. 

WelshmansDaughter

I always get a burst of energy when Teacup is away, SH, run around doing a bunch of things and then wonder what the hell I've done.

Decided to 'declutter' a tree in the back garden. It has grown over the wall and into the net that protects the house from the sports field. A small tree beside another small tree has resulted in lots of spindly branches. Straddling the wall and strapping myself to the trunk I managed to pull the biggest bit out of the net. In some ways it was nice to feel like I was doing something I would normally do. But it is definitely more wearing than it used to be.

The yoghurt went on overnight and is bow chilling in the fridge. The milk stuck to the pan a bit when being scalded so I think I'll strain it and then add flavours. Possibly something involving gelatine.

Successfully phoned the diabetic clinic to get an appointment for Dad. Normally I would give up after the first try but survived 4 attempts at phone calls and then waiting for 2 people to phone me back. Personal development right there.

I think my sore muscles and I will be off to the bath tonight assuming I don't fall asleep 

savingholmes

Hope you recover quickly.

Well done on the perseverance with the clinic.