La Dolce Vita (The Sweet Life) - on a tiny budget.

helensbiggestfan

Fabulous Friday. 

.............and I don't think I have ever felt less fabulous in my life.  😁.  

The other day I went shopping in our. Local ASDA, the nearest branch to me, not  the big flag ship store across the city. Not sure why but I never get good vibes from that particular branch.   I always feel "impoverished" and "poor". Not a nice feeling.  And yet, although our local Aldi and Lidl are both cheaper, I never get the same feeling of lack or that I am making do with second best in  the way that particular branch of Asda makes me feel.  

In fact, quite the reverse, the produce is always excellent, the stores are always immaculate, the service is first class and I always enjoy shopping there. I always feel a sense of abundance rather than that awful downbeat feeling I get from the local Asda.   Interesting.   They do say that our environment affects our mood, I guess that also applies to where we shop, the cafes we frequent and not just our homes.  Our environment can enhance our mood or bring it down.  

  Anyway, because I had only "nipped out" so to speak I hadn't really paid much attention to my appearance.  It was cold and I was in pain and I only went to buy a Christmas tree.  It was one of the most depressing shopping trips I have ever undertaken. I looked and felt like a bag lady....... not a good look.  Lol.  I came away feeling really down in the mouth. Didn't help that only two of the checkouts were manned. 

And to make matters worse I don't like my new haircut.  I tried a different hairdresser because I couldn't face going into the city.  It was less than half price than my usual hairdresser but never again.  The old adage you get what you pay for never rang more true.  

And the final icing in the cake. ....I plucked up courage and weighed myself this morning, 😱🤣.   I knew I had put weight on again but I was very shocked and disappointed. And yes, unfortunately, my scales are accurate.  🙄.  

So feeling less than fabulous might be an understatement.  I feel  fat and frumpy, my hair looks awful, my skin is begging for better care, my body is a mass of aches and pains. I have a wardrobe full of nice clothes I can't fit into.  I feel utterly demoralised and so cross with myself for allowing this to happen again.  And I have no one but myself to blame.  I no longer have to care for my husband. I have no responsibilities, there is just me. I am as free as a bird, so I have absolutely no excuse. I'm not in debt or struggling to make ends meet.  How could I do this to myself........

Oh dear this post is all a bit  "Woe is Me" isn't it.  The thing is it's all my own stupid fault.  I did it, now I have to undo it.  So no more procrastination......my road back to fabulousness starts again today.  

It's a nice day. I am going to Aldi later and this time I will make more of an effort with my appearance.  And I will buy myself some flowers to lift my spirits. 

Thanks for "listening". Just writing it all down has helped me to let off steam and has strengthed my resolve to do better.  

Have a great day y'all.  💕

Wednesday2000

Helen - I'm the same with my weight. I have gained a stone and half since I moved here. Basically I have gained half a stone every six months that I have been here!

It is completely my own fault from ordering so many takeaways and eating out every week. Leigh-on-Sea is known for having lots of little cafes and bars and I have been indulging far too much. Realistically, I think I will have to start making some dietary changes after Christmas as I can't see myself doing anything before then. I hope the pretty flowers cheer you up a bit.

I can't stand when they have self service tills either. I really find it annoying!

Makingabobor2

Sorry to hear you're not feeling too fabulous. I think writing it all down is a great motivator and once you see how you perceive yourself to be, it makes you want to do something about it.  I've been feeling a bit like that lately, but more in the sense that I don't feel I have been achieving enough throughout the day...getting up too late, too much time spent online, etc etc,  It was almost like I was giving myself too much self care and not doing any of the things that really should be done.  So I have started the new month with new resolve. By 8am this morning I had done an online exercise class, made some money doing a decent online survey, had the washing in the machine and planned my day.  
I'm sure the flowers will cheer you up, I love treating myself to flowers. Our local Co-op often has reduced ones, that they say are near the end of their life, but actually last at least another 7 days, 

leftatthetrafficlights

@helensbiggestfan - I don't post often but I read along and I just wanted to say please don't beat yourself up about letting things slide - you have had a lot to deal with over the past year and not having a grip on absolutely everything is nothing to be ashamed of! 

I think a lot of us feel the same - I bumped into someone yesterday who I haven't seen for around 18 years and I could have died of shame...last time I saw her I was about 3 stone lighter and looked pretty good - yesterday I could have passed for the dodgy old woman in the pantomime!! 😳🤦‍♀️ sometimes a moment of clarity is needed to spur us on to better things - I know that once I get through this weekend (prearranged stuff I can't avoid) I'm taking back control of my life and changing my day to day existence so I'll be here to cheer you on with your move back to fabulousness 😉😁

Makingabobor2

Great post @leftatthetrafficlights, think we are all here to cheer each other on.  I sometimes bump into a lady I used to work with and think she must think I look awful now as well. I used to have died blonde hair and never go out the door without make up. Now I have let the grey grow since lock down and hardly every wear makeup. 
 I must try and post more often. Its such a pity we don't all live local, we could have a little coffee morning every week

Katiehound

Makingabobor2 said:

  I used to have died blonde hair  

I had a quick snigger here- hope the blonde hadn't actually died as we would be having messages via Madame Arcati!!

Hope it was just dyed.........

OpalGirl

Sorry that you are feeling down in the dumps but don't feel guilty about posting about it. or beat yourself up over it. We all need to vent sometimes and here amongst like minded friends is a safe place to do it. You have had a lot going on the last few months and there is only so much any of us feel like doing when we have other things going on in our lives. It's a cliche but tomorrow is another day ...

helensbiggestfan

Wonderful Weekend 

Good Morning Lovely Ladies. What a fabulous lot you are.  Your messages of hope and positivity cheered me up no end.  Thank you.  I felt oddly reassured hearing that some of you are feeling the same way.  I confess I felt a bit ashamed about my little rant  and that I was being a bit self indulgent. When I look around I realise just how fortunate I really am.  The world is not in a good place right now, yet here I am - warm and safe, plenty of food and  warm clothing, but most of all people who love me and care about me.  I know I am blessed and I'm eternally grateful.  

Yesterday was the 3rd day of cutting out sugar and I really did feel awful. As well as feeling so low and out of sorts I had a banging headache and almost flu like symptoms. Out of curiosity  I googled symptoms of sugar withdrawal.  And there it was - all I was feeling and more can be  symptoms of going cold  turkey and that the worst effects are usually felt on the third day.  Anyway I feel much better today.  Day 4.   I discovered a little trick.....if I eat a small piece of strong dark chocolate with my sugar free coffee it tastes much more palatable.  Less bitter.   Onwards and upwards.......I will stick with it.  

And yes, let's continue to support each other, especially as winter closes in .....😱😂. 

Anyhoo......some nice things happened yesterday. I gave myself a facial, I bought some flowers and my lovely new coat arrived.  Unfortunately it's  bit snug but it is nice so  I'm keeping it. I have a wardrobe full of clothes which I can't really wear at the moment. I am really restricted with what fits me but I refuse to buy larger clothes so I'm just going to have to make do until I lose some weight.  Thinking about all my lovely clothes just waiting for me might help me stay motivated.  😉

No snow here, but very hard frost and foggy,  I'm supposed to be visiting my son today. I don't feel like driving in fog so I'll probably get a taxi.  It wont break the bank and it's a lot  less stressful than navigating the city and the Christmas shopping traffic. I shall relax and let a professional driver take the strain. 

 As my husband used to say. "Why have a dog  and bark yourself".  Although I value my independence the older I get the more I see the wisdom of his mantra.  😁. 

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend.  💕

Ps. My son has just texted  me to say - don't drive in this, I'll pick you up.  Bless his cotton socks......

Makingabobor2

Katiehound said:

Makingabobor2 said:

  I used to have died blonde hair  

I had a quick snigger here- hope the blonde hadn't actually died as we would be having messages via Madame Arcati!!

Hope it was just dyed.........

Oops can't believe I put that. Obviously wasn't concentrating....lol

Katiehound

Makingabobor2 said:

Katiehound said:

Makingabobor2 said:

  I used to have died blonde hair  

I had a quick snigger here- hope the blonde hadn't actually died as we would be having messages via Madame Arcati!!

Hope it was just dyed.........

Oops can't believe I put that. Obviously wasn't concentrating....lol

Hey, just blame it on predictive text!