Frump to Fab 2024

2Scratters

Made a note of that film thankyou.

 Oh @helensbiggestfan your style is the same as me re wool/cashmere coats, cardigans and jumpers. Penchant for leather gloves too. Figure wise shorter neck too with boobs of more than a handful. I do have 1 polo neck jumper which is a quality Scottish vintage  cashmere jumper which was my mums. It is my mission to purchase a new one from a trip up to Scotland and purchase one. (not from a high street store more a local shop or factory 2nd)
 I'm adopting you as my big sister 7 years my senior and my height 5'4   

I did a review of my makeup and not disposed of any items. Some are that old there is no guidance of date. I still ignore them. Its common sense if the product doesn't apply as it should then it is time for disposal. Perfume however can "go off" I remember my mum having this problem with an estee lauder one many many years ago. It was sent away and checked and they validated the complaint and a new bigger bottle was repurchased. I wear perfume daily and a lip product is always about my person. I use conditioner or a tinted balm all the time and that is worn till empty. I prefer to use a lip brush once it gets to the carton and use up the other half.

If I wear a dress I tend not to do dirty jobs so do the smaller bitty ones. I have pinnies to wear also. I am sure I was born in the wrong decade, even as a young girl I wore mums old shoes and the clothes she made at Technical & Grammar school when I was 18/22 years old.

2 Scratters xx

SandyShores

I managed to watch the film on Saturday night, had to fork out £3.49 as I couldn't find it on my subscription channels.  It was very different, really enjoyed it.  Won't say anymore at the risk of ruining it for others, but it was worth the money.

helensbiggestfan

Sandyshores......Glad you liked it, especially as you had to pay for it.  Watched Boudicca the other night.  Absolute tosh and not in a good way.  Just blood and gore and endless boring battle scenes. I fell asleep it was that good. 😉

Scratters.   I'll happily be your big sister. Lol. 

All good here, had another sweep through my wardrobe.  Still need another go next month or so when the weather turns. Have ordered a couple of long sleeved t shirts.  Just basics but find them useful for layering.  

Having a housework and gardening day today, just catching up with myself.  

Thinking of ordering a mini trampoline,  I think it was Wednesday who said she has one and uses it quite regularly.  Apparently it's easier on the joints than walking or jogging.  I have cleared a space in my spare bedroom. It's becoming quite a good little home gym now. Such a pity I have neither the room nor the money for a nice indoor heated swimming pool.  😂

My grandsons have a trampoline now and love it.  It is really noticeable how my eldest grandson seems to be developing stronger leg muscles since using it.  He's 6, very tall for his age and really skinny so it's good to see him developing some muscle at last.  Anyway it got me thinking that it might be good for me to help me get stronger leg muscles as well as helping with balance.  

No other news, viewed a house, not "the one". Never mind, I'll find it soon enough. 

helensbiggestfan

Good Morning Lovely Ladies. 

Well here we are, almost the end of August and slipping into Autumn already.  My favourite time of the year.  It's glorious here today.  

Time for a quick catch up.  

All is well.  It's a fortnight since my dental implants were completed and they have settled down nicely.  They feel just like my own teeth and I am absolutely delighted with the final result. I feel so much more confident. I am no longer ashamed or embarrassed about my teeth and I know I am smiling more, talking to strangers more easily. I have even started wearing red lipstick again, Lol whereas I was more or less sticking to fairly neutral lip colours in order not to draw attention to my mouth.  Just need to go back to the dentist next week for a check up and a deep clean and that's it. 🤞.  

I have been watching some horror stories about "Turkey Teeth" on you tube.  I know dentistry here in the U.K. is expensive but I am so glad I wasn't tempted to try the cheaper options.  I know some people have been delighted with the results of the treatments they have received abroad but knowing the poor state of my teeth I was just too nervous to take the risk.  It took me £15k and almost two years of treatment.  I don't think I would have had such a successful outcome if I had paid £3k for a weeks trip to Turkey.  

Anyway.......no regrets.  Yes I am £15k poorer but I now have a nice smile.  I know this is a money saving website and I like a bargain as much as the next person but maybe there are some things, such as healthcare, that it's best not to skimp on.  

I am still using the prescription retinol.  It's been about 4 months and I can definitely see a real improvement in my skin. I did take it very slowly to begin with and there was some skin peeling and slight soreness at first but my skin has adjusted now and if I do say so myself, it's looking much better.  Softer, nice texture, plumper and the discolouration caused by sun damage is definitely fading. 

I have this week introduced castor oil into my nightly face routine, applying it to my upper eyelid, lashes and brows and outer eye (the area where you get crows feet).   Apparently it helps thicken the brows and lashes and can help reverse cataracts.  I do have the beginnings of cataracts so I shall be delighted if I can avoid surgery.  I am a little sceptical but it's worth a try....  Apparently it also helps reduce fine lines so it will be interesting to see if it works on those pesky crows feet. 

Massage booked for next week, still struggling with my neck, right shoulder and right knee but I am now exercising every day so hopefully I will see some improvement at some point.  

Not bought any clothes recently, very slim pickings in the chazzers at the moment, perhaps there will be more choice when the winter stuff gets put out. I don't actually "need" anything at the moment so I shall save my pennies.  I do have a £30 voucher to spend at Next so will treat myself to something next time I go into the city centre.  Maybe a nice pashmina.  

Going to sort through some cupboards, I've no idea  how they get so messy.  No one to blame but myself.  Lol. 

Stay well, and happy.  Keep fabbing.  💕

helensbiggestfan

darlings, it's a disaaaaaster!!!!!

I knew things were bad but I've just put myself on the scales😱. And just to really depress myself I also took my measurements.  I wished I hadn't, lol. However, my clothes have been feeling more and more snug and I couldn't delude myself any more,  Time to face facts, I've become a sorry sight. 

So, with just over 3 months till Christmas, I have decided I DO NOT want to go into 2025 feeling and looking like a decrepit old crone.  I wish I had £1 for every time I have made a fresh start, I would be seriously rich by now.  

What is wrong with me that I just can't seem to find the will and motivation to get my act together.  Yes, I managed to persevere with the dental work but that's all I've done.  Im still a massive FRUMP.  A long way from being the chic and stylish woman that I want to be.  

So here I go again, with yet another attempt.  I feel like I have a huge mountain to climb. Can I find the energy to get to the summit or I will I give up again before I even get half way there.  

Chiro yesterday, getting my hair cut today.  It's (yet another) start.  😟

OpalGirl

Don't be too hard on yourself @helensbiggestfan, remember you were ill not that long ago and these things take time to get over and get your mojo back. Getting to the end of your dental work is a major achievement so don't undersell what you have achieved this year.

Makingabobor2

I'm sure you can do it. Once you get started it will become 2nd nature. Apparently habits are formed afer doing something 5 times

helensbiggestfan

Good Morning Lovely Ladies. 

Thank you for those kind words and encouragement.  I needed a vote of confidence, lol.  .   I'm don't know why because nothing bad has happened but I have been feeling pretty low recently, not just the weight thing but also a lot of aches and pains and "life" in general.  Maybe it has something to do with just passing the 10th anniversary of my husbands death and the realisation that I have been drifting and not actually achieving much.  

Never mind I just have to keep going and remember the old mantra. "Persistence Pays Off". 😉.  It's not often I feel so down in the dumps, I'm sure I will perk up soon.  Luckily I don't stay defeated for long, I usually bounce back pretty quickly. 

I will choose Resilience as my word. To avoid overwhelm I will make a few positive changes each day and trust in the compound effect. Yesterday I had my hair cut and I must admit it looks heaps better.  Surprising how such a simple thing as a good haircut can make such a difference to how I look and feel.   

We have about three and a half months until 2025. I have set myself a challenge to lose 1 stone by then.  That seems like a sensible and achievable goal. If I can do that I am sure I would look and feel a lot better.  

So here goes, I start today.  🤞

Sorry the last couple of posts have been so downbeat and all me,me,me.  Normal service will be resumed shortly. 😉. 

In the meantime ....stay well and happy and keeeeep fabbing. 

Makingabobor2

I am currently doing a 30 day reset on the FB exercise group I belong to. She calls it Drab to Fab. You make yourself a chart and colour in green the things you achieve and red the ones you don't.  The first 5 are what she calls the "Non negotiables", then you can add as many others as you want. 
Non negotiables are -
At least 5000 steps a day ( I always aim for at least 8-10K minimum if I can though)
Drink 2L of water a day
12 squats
10 mins exercise with weights
15 mins fresh air  ( I have amended mine to 30mins)

After these I added -
Turn light out by 10.15 at night
Eat 2 squares of really dark chocolate a day
No cake
At least 30 mins "me time" a day
Increase protein - ( aim for some at every meal)
Spend less time online
Write 3 gratitudes in journal each day

You can add as many different ones as you like. It really does help to keep you focused on what you are doing.  She says do it for 30 days and you should be back in good habits, but I may just keep it going as I actually think it makes me feel guilty the days I colour some in red....lol.  She reckons aim for 80% greens and that is good

Don't know if its any help, but it might be worth a try.
Oh and put the chart somewhere you can see it, no point hiding it in a drawer or inside a cupboard door. ...lol

helensbiggestfan

Thanks MB Some great ideas there. I haven't joined any groups as such (just posting on here) but I'm aiming to do some of the tips you've outlined.  

 More water 
Reintroduce exercise - lots of aches and pains so easing in gently 
Earlier nights 
Reduce carbs, increase protein. 
Less time on social media 
Stop doom scrolling and watching the news 

I think more than anything the constant stream of negative news is having a deleterious effect on me. I'm only going to watch and read content which is uplifting.   

Currently watching some fashion videos whilst I have my coffee.  

Weather is grim today so I am going to go through my kitchen cupboards, fridge etc and ditch all the bad stuff. 

On a positive note I am keeping up with the new evening routines - resetting the house before I go to bed so I don't wake up to mess and clutter.  It makes the mornings a lot easier.  

I will try and post my progress on here each day to help stay on track.  

I looked at holidays the other day but didn't book anything. As crazy as it sounds I just dont feel in the right frame of mind to go on holiday, although it would probably do me good.  

Maybe after Christmas when I've lost some weight and feel fitter.  At the moment going on holiday just feels like a chore.  How mad is that.  🤷‍♀️