La Dolce Vita - 2024

helensbiggestfan

Oddly enough a recent blood test done privately revealed my ferritin levels were too high.  I then had a second test done by the NHS, the readings were slightly lower and the surgery said nothing to be concerned about.  Maybe I need to get them checked again.  🤷‍♀️. 

My Vit D levels were borderline so I have been taking a Vit D supplement. 

SandyShores

I seem to talk to a lot of people lately who are all feeling tired at the moment, but its been going a while for me - since I turned 60, I wonder if there's something in that.  Although I was listening to LBC the other day and the question was how do plants know when to stop growing, which turned into how do humans know to stop growing.  It did make me think whether there is something in our brains that says you're 60 now, slow down a bit.  Probably not but it made me think.

I went on a course about aging well a few years ago, and I also bought the books that the leaders had wrote.  I need to find those out again.  I also had/have a book called Natural Highs by someone called Patrick Holford (it was 38p plus postage from Amazon) - it was about increasing your energy and improving your mood.  I didn't follow it to the letter but I did follow some of the advice - from memory I made sure I drank less tea/coffee, drank water, took vitamin C, exercised and there was another supplement (http-5?) I bought which aided sleep.  I suppose there was nothing new in there, and I wasn't running around jumping up and down, but sometimes you just need a slight change in mood and energy and then it all starts to improve from there.  I need to see if I still have that book too.

ps Helen, I do think that tiredness may be part of my problem with losing weight.  I'm trying not to stress about it - I find stressing about it makes me focus on food, then I get a bit down, and then I'm nudging up the scales.  I've got an app called nutracheck which I used religiously for a while, even when I wasn't dieting.  Its good to see the number of calories you're eating without the pressure of losing weight, I need to get back into doing that too - gosh feels like I'm telling myself a lot of must do's.  

FreetodoasIlike

@helensbiggestfan I had my Ocado delivery today, no substitutions (again) and good sell buy dates, although I put quite a bit in the freezer. Delivery was only £2, so it would probably cost more than that in petrol to travel to a store and so much less hassle. When Waitrose had Ocado, they didn’t deliver in my area (not sure if I would have liked their produce anyway) but now that M&S have it, I know what I’m getting and I like to shop there online once a month and put stuff in the freezer. I used to do my elderly neighbour’s shopping during lockdown and she liked certain things from M&S. She commented on the van a few months ago, and told me that it wouldn’t be worth it for her for just a few items, so I told her to add them on to my monthly shop. Her monthly treat is now fresh profiteroles, which she freezes and takes them out for her monthly church meeting (she is a vicar’s widow and holds an afternoon tea party once a month). They come to her bungalow as it’s one of the bigger ones on the drive and quite large (most, like ours, are small semi bungalows) and if the weather is nice, they sit in the garden (although not recently!) She asks for a nominal fee for the tea/scones etc., which then goes back to church funds or to charity. She said the profiteroles went down well! I don’t buy a lot, but bulk buy fish etc. and freeze it.

Good idea from @crazybunnylady4. Maybe a blood test might show up why you’re tired and have a lack of energy. I know what you mean about living alone. My mum became a widow in her early 50s and then went into sheltered accommodation and she loved it, it as the Warden was very good and always checked up on the residents, even changing the duvet if necessary! However, you’re not there yet! I don’t have any siblings or children but I think you mentioned two sons? Would you consider moving closer to them? 

@Wednesday2000. Enjoy your retirement with your DH. My OH had prostrate cancer (in remission now) but only when he retired (he is nearly 15 years older than me). I worked until I was 62 as I liked my job and then used draw-down until my state pension kicked in two years ago, although I received by Local Government pension at 60. I joined a gym but, although I liked to swim, the treadmill, cross trainer and exercise bikes bored me. I would much rather walk in the fresh air when the weather is nice. I also fell off a treadmill once (miscalculated the settings, and it went too fast) and I panicked and couldn’t stop it! Two young men rushed over and picked me up! I felt SO embarrassed- and very bruised for days!!!!

Wednesday2000

I'm always worried about falling off the treadmill so I don't have it on too fast. I imagine it is very easy to do!

FreetodoasIlike

Yes, very easy to do. My dignity was bruised, as well as my legs!!

helensbiggestfan

Good Morning My Lovely Friends. 

Sorry I've been awol.  It's been a funny couple of weeks, tiredness and low mood was very persistent but I'm feeling a lot better now.   Thanks for all your tips and suggestions.  I have been working on some lifestyle changes and I think they are starting to pay off.  Better sleep, resting when necessary, delegating and outsourcing some of the heavier tasks and of course enjoying the summer weather now it's finally here,  even my finances are looking healthier........

My frugal living is definitely paying dividends. I don't know how I miscalculated but I was really pleased to discover that my dental payments finished a month earlier than I anticipated.  Wahoo. 💃 so I have been able to loosen the purse strings a bit.  

Noticed a few possibles on Rightmove so am aiming to do some house viewings in the next couple of weeks, see if I can finally find "the one".  It will be nice to find somewhere more permanent and put down roots. 

This year will be the 10th anniversary of my husbands death.  I am finally ready to move forward so a house move will be the perfect start for a new life.  It's been a long time coming but I think I have finally found the inner peace that was so elusive for so long.   I will always hold him in my heart of course but I can finally "let go" iyswim.  

Anyhoo.....onwards and upwards.  The sun is shining and I'm hopeful.  💕

 

Ps I will outline a few of my lifestyle changes on the Frump to Fab thread and won't duplicate them here.  

helensbiggestfan

Hello my lovely friends..,

Just done my civic duty.  Popped into Lidl afterwards. Got chatted up by an American gentleman by the coffee aisle.  He seemed keen but he wasn't tall enough for me,  so I let it pass. lol.  

Still not bad seeing as I shall be 73 on Saturday,  😂🤣

helensbiggestfan

Good Morning my lovely friends. 

Well here we are another year older. 😱. Had a fabulous birthday weekend, spoilt rotten. Lunch with family members and friends onFriday at my favourite restaurant and then spent the weekend with my eldest son and his little family.  Got back yesterday feeling absolutely exhausted. Lol.  But worth it.  Always a pleasure to spend time with people we love isn't it.  

A bit dull and grey here, need to do a food shop later.  Other than that no special plans for today.  

Usually I like to set myself new goals and challenges round about my birthday. This year is no exception.  My goal is to drag myself out of my inertia and start house hunting in earnest.  Hopefully start viewings in the next week or so.  

I m sooo ready now to find a new home and put down some roots again.  

Hope you are all well.  Summer does seem to be dragging its heels a bit doesn't it. I'm not getting any summer vibes yet. 😂. Hey ho.  

newroadahead

Belated Happy Birthday Helen
Glad you had such a lovely time

NRA xxx

Humdinger1

Happy birthday Helen! A wonderful year lies ahead, full of excitement and sustenance.   Love Humdinger xx