Follow the Yellow Brick Road 2023

SandyShores

Well the quiet weekend didn't quite go to plan, best laid plans and all that.  But the best thing about all the hard work we have put into being DF and now heading towards MF, is that you can take it in your stride a bit easier.  Feeling like I need the weekend to arrive quickly though for a proper R&R.

Total 10lbs lost now and my weight has stayed the same for a couple of weighs, which is good.  It means I'm not going up, my clothes have room to spare but still fit, and I don't want to have to buy new ones. I haven't done the sprint training, the dumbbells or the slendertone this week, but will get back to it next week.  I've been feeling a bit tired and looked up 'tired and weight loss' - its not unusual to feel tired when you are dieting, I guess its a lot for your body to take on.  Especially with the extra exercise and change in diet.

Whoops, also just looking at 'Jobs to do this week' from the week before last which were:  call decorator; call double-glazing co. re. a blown window; call house builder re. an issue.... and go to B&Q and get a match pot.  None of which were done.  Okay I'm going to be busy in the next few days.  Although I have a bit of socialising unusually for me this weekend, but I think it will do me good to forget about it all for a few hours.

LadyWithAPlan

I have weight trained since being a teenager and love it - it’s so important for us all as we age - strength  and stretching - so this is a gentle push to start ! 

You can do squats, tricep dips and standing press ups whilst waiting for the kettle to boil 

savingholmes

Glad you are feeling more confident. I do think decent clothes help a lot - hence some of my own recent spending. 

Great news on the H2B portion now being yours.

SandyShores

I haven't posted here for 2 weeks!  I think there is something about the weather that means I've been spending more time outdoors.

Thanks LWAP, I am definitely committed to do more.  I do a weekly weights class so I just need to start fitting those moves into a mid-week home session

Thanks Savingholmes.  I like to feel comfortable in my clothes, but as my jeggings are wearing very thin (like holes starting to form), it's a good time for a style overhaul.  I've managed to order a few things from v1nted and online for my holiday, so just another bikini to buy, some cami tops and I want to buy some of those chub-rub shorts to wear with dresses.  For the first time for a very long time, I will be going away with some nice clothes in my suitcase.

I've been gardening today.  Just tieing up roses and having a little snip here and there.  I started to edge the new bed but it was pretty difficult with hard dry clay soil.  The part I've done looks lovely so I will keep going.  Such a nice time of year and its starting to look like an established garden.

Weight-wise I've lost another 1llb but feel like I've stalled a bit - we've had a few evenings out so I can't grumble.  But I'd like to lose another couple of pounds before my hols next month.

SandyShores

Lol, don't post for 2 weeks, and now I'm posting twice.  I've been 'out' about four times in the past few weeks - no wonder I'm exhausted .  Seriously though, as someone who doesn't do many social events, I feel like all my free time has been taken up with either preparing (things to wear, how to get there, thinking about what to eat, buying presents etc.); being there; and then recovering .  Its a lot alongside normal life - smiley faces as I'm only half serious.  

Buying clothes for the holiday is adding a bit of stress too, as someone who doesn't normally spend much money on themselves.  I'm really pleased with my purchases so far, I but keep seeing things I want to buy - just where do you stop?!!  The 'problem' has partly been created by losing 11lbs and finding so many things actually fit me/feel good to wear.  I am really pleased that I've now got a few different pairs of wearable shoes, including some comfortable walking type sandals.  I don't have any work type shoes as I tend to wear my smart white skechers  with trousers and dresses these days.  Maybe in the winter I'll buy some chunky black shoes/boots.

Dug out my things to do list, everything is bobbing along nicely, to be worked on over next two weeks:

• Mortgage - complete paperwork for remortgage - done
• Clothes - sell/donate
• Create - make some space for crafting - knitting and maybe crochet to start.
• Career/work/study - think about what I want to do in life (not necessarily major moves but enjoyable)
• Decorating - decorator called and paint chosen
• Garden - ongoing
• Sort window
• Sort house builder issue

ps - we have paid c.£100k off the mortgage in the last 5 years.  

LadyWithAPlan

Congrats on the £100k pay off AND the 11lbs, you are truly winning

SandyShores

Thanks LWAP, we've come so far these last few years.  Of all the places I've owned/lived this is definitely the right one for us.  That warm feeling you get about your home definitely makes it easier to face down a big mortgage.

And another 1lb bites the dust!  Its slow going, but I'm in no rush.  The 7500 step goal seems to be working.

SandyShores

£50 PB win today - very nice

Been doing lots of weeding in the new bed mostly seems to be grass, its where the cardboard was, but we did put some grass seed down a few weeks ago and I wonder if a few bits have got onto the bed as it pulled up easily.  I couldn't work out which bits were the wild flower seeds so most came up and the bulbs/plants I planted have more space again.  

Finally got around to sorting the spare wardrobe - four bags to charity and the rest has gone onto V1nted.  Already sold a few items - not a fortune but have £12.50 in the account and another £13.50 in the mail.  I've really got to stop buying any clothes for a while now as the wardrobe is full to bursting.  Lots of bargains had from v1nted for hols.

I've been eating slightly more this week, which is slightly scary, but keeping up the exercise.  I don't think I'll go back to old habits just having a more relaxed week - I guess one week won't hurt after 4 months.

SandyShores

Things have felt really busy lately, holidays, work and getting finances sorted.  All positive stuff though so I can't complain.

Its the next part of the journey of paying off the mortgage.  Owning the whole thing and heading towards sub-£200k this year!  Can't wait to be in the £100's.  I know, its still a lot but for the first time I can actually envisage it being paid off (rather than crippled by it) by the time we reach SPA.

So, a review from last month.  No PB win this month, oh well there's always next month.

I decided to put bark over the new bed in the end.  Most of the wildflowers will have been sacrificed but a few are poking up and through, looking very pretty.  A few bags of garden rubbish dropped at the tip, and the garden is looking lovely, although clay soil is almost impossible to work with in the summer.

It was nice to read last month's post about sorting clothes out.  I'd forgotten I'd done so much hard work, although cupboards bursting at the seams again from all the holiday clothes I bought.  Another sort out needed

I managed to return from holiday only 2lbs heavier, and those disappeared in days of being back to normal eating habits.  Starting to feel confident that old habits won't return.  Would like to lose a few pounds more but it will be a slow process as I can't bear feeling hungry - it makes me tired.

• Mortgage - complete paperwork for remortgage - done
• Clothes - sell/donate (done but need to revisit post holiday/pre-winter)
• Create - make some time for crafting - knitting and maybe crochet to start.
• Career/work/study - think about what I want to do in life (not necessarily major moves but enjoyable) - current work stuff and counselling
• Reading - picked up a new book from the garden centre - Pamela Stephenson, seems interesting
• Decorating - decorator called and paint chosen
• Garden - ongoing
• Sort window - ordered
• Sort house builder issue

Still feeling amazed that we have paid over £100k off the mortgage in the last 5 years.  

savingholmes

£100K in 5 years is fabulous. Huge congrats. 

Glad you are having wardrobe / clothing wins too.