Anyone fancy a bit of an overhaul before Christmas thread?

[Helgathehairy]

Please don’t throw me in the stocks for mentioning Christmas!!

During Covid everything has gone to pot a bit - I’ve put on weight, none of my clothes fit right, hair (and eyebrows) desperately need doing and I’m still a bit hesitant to go somewhere to do something so non-essential. Kids have been home constantly and Self-care & housework has become sporadic (at best!). I have elderly family members who are high risk that I’m helping and I’m wondering about exposure and contact and sometimes my mental health takes a bit of a battering due to demands from them. DH is working and we cut back spending well at the start (mostly due to me not going to the shops)but I’ve stated doing a bit more impulse shopping as shops opened and DHs job is connected to the travel industry and isn’t secure so I really need to stop. Next week my kids are back in school and I really want to get things more organised. I like a deadline to keep me on track.

Here’s my thinking - on Sunday it’s 100 days to 1st December. I really want to arrive at the start of December feeling more organised and less sluggish, calmer and just feeling more ME.

Previously Princessing threads have run on the Style & Beauty board but as this is more of a comprehensive overhaul I thought chat might be a better fit??

This is a previous PrIncessing thread for an idea, there have been lots more, including a pandemic one, but this one was started by me. www.mumsnet.com/Talk/style_and_beauty/2458842-Countdown-to-Christmas-princessing

So anyone interested?

(I’m on my phone, which isn’t great for long threads so apologies if it’s a bit disjointed, I just wanted to just get it down.)

Book read, language practice done, vitamin taken. Rubbish eating day but lunch packed for work tomorrow

Love this thread. Have been reading since the beginning and thinking about my goals. (And borrowing good ones - thank you!) Trying to make them SMART:

1. Lose 14lbs in 14 weeks by eating LFHC. This takes me to pre Christmas 2019 weight. Track using Weight Diary app. 2, 3, and 4 will contribute to success.
2. Reduce drinking by adding in one alcohol free day per week so that after 4 weeks am drinking only at weekends
3. Drink 3 litres of water a day, track using waterlogged app.
4. Fast 16:8 5 days per week, track using Zero App. Drink hot water and lemon instead of tea first thing.
5. Take multivitamin everyday, use reminder on phone to take at lunchtime and have a packet in handbag and desk drawer as well as kitchen to make sure they are always on hand.
6. Use TOMM routine to focus on one space at a time and declutter somewhere each week
7. Bulk of Christmas present shopping and buy ahead food shopping completed by 1 Dec. Add to weekly shop and create somewhere to store in garage.
8. Moisturise feet, hands, lips and face every night
9. Follow one of the recommended Christmas planning programmes

10. Do something purely for my own enjoyment everyday (and not always MNing on phone). Read papers, watch trashy TV, use face mask...Track how?

Does anyone have a recommendation for a habit tracker app? Many of mine are to get good habits to stick and I find the apps mentioned really help me.

I've made good progress with these daily habits. Declutter this week is Hallway, will sort out coat and shoe cupboard and sort out the return parcels sitting around.

Day 98-I am so late tonight, l watched a Jason Mansfield show on tv, he is so funny. Today l put my stuff on eBay, had a pamper which was my nails and a face pack. Walked 14430 steps (but don’t forget l work in retail) Also a 20 minute night time Yoga with my 8 year old.

Tomorrow’s plan is
C25k.
Sort out my bedding/towel cupboard.
Try both kids with uniformS.
Tidy the spare room (that will take 2ins max there’s hardly anything in there.
I would like to say go through my Christmas decorations as we have far too many and some are really awful but l want to have the afternoon doing something with the kids.

Weight watchers is going well and l already have £6 in my save the change account.

Sticking at it here too.

Day 98 - went for a swim and managed 520m in 22 mins so quite happy with that. Then did an online Zumba class in afternoon.

Been tracking cals and using my garmin watch to keep an eye on activity levels which is helping keep me moving.

Day 97 - I suspect will not be as productive as went out last night and feeling delicate! Will aim to do 30 mins of exercise and some more decluttering at home. Have gone through DDs baby clothes and sorted toys already.

I'm in.

1. Start using skin potions to brighten up my pasty complexion.
2. Do some daily exercise for at least an hour.
3. Sort out the spare room. Don't need to have a room to house stuff I don't use. Small task each day.
4. Finish off the mini garden makeover - do a small task each day.
5. Get DSs to clean their rooms - a small task each day.
6. Measure up, prep and order a new shed.

Day four! I didn't actually think I would get this far - but here we are!

Another alcohol free night under the belt, haven't missed it at all! Replaced the G&T with diet lemonade on ice with lemon in a wine glass.

Played games with children yesterday and had a healthy day eating, but the exercise, I need to step up. This is proving to be the hardest thing to fit in with so much to do all day already.

So today:

Lemonade night again later - now no longer dreading it!
Exercise is a must today second only to being alcohol free
I have a slot booked at the local refuse centre - so all the clutter is leaving the house today - I wish I could take some of it to a charity shop as I normally would, but none are open here yet.

I have now purchased new bedding and throws for winter to update my bedroom, and slowly working through the house to refresh each room ready for the autumn now they are clutter free.

Need to buy some candles and logs ready for the colder days

Have fun with children

squirrel I pre pack my salad lunch every day first thing in the morning, so that it is ready to eat, if it is ready to go you are far less likely to reach for the bread and something fast but unhealthy. I add some dressing just before eating. Works for me.
I too suffer from lack of energy towards the end of the day, and my goals are small and achievable because for me burn out would be counter productive. I have failed before trying to do too much too soon.
Keep reminding myself we have another 96 days - so it is a working progress, and there is time to do everything I hope for.
Rome was not built in a day!

Day 98 was ok. Made flatbreads which are always too tempting so I ate more than I should. Otherwise ok and I kept up with the water. Still fasting 8pm to noon. Discovered that cold roasted cauliflower is a great replacement for cous cous in a salad!

Crazy busy at work as I am covering for my boss - including being on a panel discussion tonight for 400 people 😱.

Going to book gym slots for next week. Have booked a pedicure for tomorrow evening.

Struggling with both my decorating projects as I can't decide on colours. Most problematic is my tiny north facing office. It has a large window so it's light - but never that warm toned sunlight. I thought about duck egg blue but it might be too cold?

Failed on the excercise yeatwrdat die to a four hour car round trip but off to get my eyebrows done now so will try harder today . The fabulous app is great - thanks for the recommendation

Yesterday went more than a bit wrong.
I did manage some cleaning, my 10k steps and some reading.
I've got a bit of time this morning so am going into dc1's bedroom. It is chaos in there.

Day 97

More finishing off work going on in kitchen today, so on track for Goal number 1 (everything in it's rightful place) to be completed at the weekend.
Goal number 2 - some form of exercise 6 x week is on track. Yoga tonight. I cannot wait to say hello to the mat
Goal number 3 15 mins of translation/writing a day will be done when I get a gap in meetings today.

Am enjoying reading everyone small (and large) victories.

DAY 97

Today is going ok so far!! Healthy breakfast, dog walked, second load of laundry on. Sorting paperwork now.

Good that the back to school/preschool went well @Helgathehairy, that's next week for me, first time for both so hoping it goes smoothly too, especially as the pod set up means DS may not be with any of his preschool friends.

Productive day for me so far:
Walk ✅
Make soup ✅
Make bread ✅
Phone appointment ✅
Laundry ✅

Half an hours gardening tidy up this afternoon and it's amazing how much of a difference it has made.

Gone to the beach today since the weather is nice. Resisted the ice cream etc and have also done my 10,000 steps, so feeling happy. It helps to be looking at something other than my hometown for what feels like the first time in ages!
OTOH, going to the beach means ignoring all the house stuff that I meant to do today.

Day 97: Thanks to my dad I have three things ticked off today that I've been wanting to do for ages but needed a drill to do them.
Wall clock ✅
Spice rack ✅
Blackout blind✅

After my haircut on Monday I am getting my eyebrows done later today and then I'll be work-ready.

So expensive just to look presentable for the outside world!

Thanks for starting the thread Helga, I hope it's not too late to join you?

My list is not massive, and I have made a start in some areas.

House is a work in progress. I'm managing to superficially tidy and clean, but all cupboards are full to bursting. Although I can see the benefits of Kondo-ing the whole lot, I'm just not in the right headspace yet, and am tackling the odd drawer or shelf. I need to up my game at some point.

I need to lose a stone. The same stone I have been trying to shift since 2005. . And it's stopping me from moving forward. I can't declutter clothes until I can finally throw out the fat stuff and fit into the thin stuff. I need to eat sensibly, no snacking, no crap and no processed carbs. Cut down on the caffeine. Increase water intake. Eat more fresh salad and veg. Remember to take my vitamins. I'm going to dust off my Fast800 book and give it 100%.

I take care of my hair and skin, epilate, moisturise and do lots of walking. I stopped drinking during lockdown. But I feel a flabby mess.

Tonight, we're having a curry, it's already arranged, then I start in earnest tomorrow at day 96.

Another bad eating day🙄 language practice done. Book after supper but I did take my vitamin

Sadly committing to do this has made me binge on biscuits for some reason

It's great to get some things done that you can't do yourself isn't it @Allmyfavouritepeople. DH finally fitted the replacement light that's been sitting in our en-suite for about a month today and I'm very happy about that!
My issue with food at the minute is that we have started eating earlier with DC a lot since lockdown and I find myself getting hungry again and eating before bed, then not feeling hungry for breakfast and being starving mid morning instead. I need to either stop eating at that time completely or find something light and healthy to eat.
Need to do my supermarket order once bedtime is done.

gassylady I do that too sometimes - like I have to eat all the ‘unhealthy’ food to get it out of the house.

Oh it's brilliant @beautifulshoes you get to tick it off the list without actually doing stuff yourself.

So I've done well with intermittent fasting..... eating 2 takeaways in 2 days is okay if it's between the hours of 12-8pm right? Tomorrow I must get back on meal planning!!

Oh heck, today was manic at work and I have managed to eat far too much. Tomorrow's another day though right? At least I got lots done and have got school uniforms laid out for the morning and some healthy packed lunches made up which will save time tomorrow. I have been doing a hot cloth cleanse every night and I think my face is already looking brighter. I'm enjoying reading about everyone's progress to date though, its really motivating

Hi all. Day 4. Checking in.
Sounds like you're all doing well so far. Don't stress yourself with slips in your eating, as they say- tomorrow is a new day, this shouldn't be a race, just one step at a time.

I'm on day 4 of no alcohol, day 3 of intermittent fasting, day 2 of exercise... and disappointed that I haven't dropped a dress size yet unfair! I do feel less bloated though which is a start. Didn't manage all my water today but still better than I have been. Baby steps. £4 in the Christmas frock fund

to all those who are having a rocky start. Keep on keeping on.

Extremely busy day here, but also extremely fun! Did really well with food until this evening, when we ordered a curry, which I devoured . Oh well. Tomorrow is another day and all that.

On the plus side, being out and about all day meant that I ended up being quite active, so, swings and roundabouts.

Had my photo taken a few times and the lack of exercise is definitely make its presence known in my flabby face and ill defined jaw. Definitely need to get back to some sort of regular exercise!

No alcohol today either though, so not an altogether terrible day.

DAY 1

1. Start using skin potions to brighten up my pasty complexion. Located my potions bag and found it didn't contain some good stuff from The Ordinary I'd expected to see in there, so need to search elsewhere. But found 5 small samples of an Esther Lauder serum so will use that up.
2. Do some daily exercise for at least an hour.

Did 10 mins yoga and a 20 min walk.

1. Sort out the spare room. Don't need to have a room to house stuff I don't use. Small task each day.

Tidied the bookshelf and threw away a few bits.

1. Finish off the mini garden makeover - do a small task each day.

Did about 5 mins of weeding.

1. Get DSs to clean their rooms - a small task each day.

Mentioned that DS2 might have a 10 min tidy up. Didn't work - new tactic needed.

1. Measure up, prep and order a new shed.

DS2 helped to measure up the base and decide where to put new shed and agreed to clear the overgrown bushes. Investigated a couple of sources for purchase.

This is probably boring as hell to anyone reading it, but might just be what I need to get these tasks ticked off my list.