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.)

Day 97- didn’t enjoy today, had a bad dream last night that l couldn’t save my child even though l was really trying, l think it is because he is extremely anxious at the moment because he is going back to school and over tired from worrying.I also got my period eugh.

I completed my tasks but not until late about 9.15 pm, but l have also had an afternoon sleep and some time on the beach so lm not that bothered really. I weighed myself today even though l only joined ww on Sunday as l need to weigh in every Wednesday and l have lost 2lb which lm pleases about. Drinking all this water is killing me though l feel like l am going the toilet every 5 minutes.

Tomorrow is a work day so it’s going to be self care and relaxing l think l am going to be tired tomorrow night.
I love the tips from here l didn’t realise you could get habit forming apps l will check them out l think.

Goodnight all.

A bad, bad day food wise. I need to put diet and exercise higher up my list.
Read for 15 minutes in the sunshine, had quality time with my DDs, made a little money, sorted the garden, took my vitamin and labelled some school stuff. Just the food and the movement that was a big fail!

I struggled yesterday - plans went to pieces one after the other.

I did manage to do some school work with dc
We did a family work out - so managed some exercise
On top of the bedrooms and general tidiness
Ate very healthy meals - as nothing else in the house!! Otherwise I would have been comfort eating for England. As it was a few dry crackers really are not ideal comfort food but alas I went to bed feeling joyless but at least did not break the goal.

Realising now for a good deal of the lockdown the thing that kept me going was food and wine!! Take that away and it is quite dull, but thats okay because more exciting days are around the corner.

SO today, is a brand new day for us!! So today we can make a difference:

Tonight I am drinking lime and soda water with crushed ice
Salads are running low, so I will need to find something healthy to eat today - perhaps sushi
Exercise with dc is set up for 10am
After we are tackling the playroom, the mother of all jobs.

If I can achieve the above, that will be amazing! It is nearly Friday...

I did manage to do some school work with dc
We did a family work out - so managed some exercise
On top of the bedrooms and general tidiness
Ate very healthy meals - as nothing else in the house

Sounds like you did lots of great things!”

Thanks over it didn't feel like a good day, but probably it was the way I was feeling rather than the abject failure of my goals, I am working on some family stuff as well, but thank you for saying that as looking at it now, it wasn't a complete disaster!

I am hoping to do better today! How is it going for you?

I think that’s the good thing about writing it down and reflecting at the end of the end as sometimes realise more was achieved than initially thought.

Can’t say it’s going amazingly here but my boys are in child care term time only so hopeful when they go back next week will have more time to get some stuff done!! At the moment only have about 2 hours a day where they are asleep and I’m awake and by that time I’m so tired.

However, have tried to be much more mindful and enjoy the nature when out and about, trying to eat more healthy and exercise more. Also did manage some decluttering but by the time that was done the room the boys were in looked like a bomb went off!

Day 97

Yesterday wasn't too bad, mostly good but did share a bottle of wine with DH watching Married at First Sight (which is much better than me guzzling 1.5 bottles so i'll take that as a small victory)

Deep cleaned the bathroom, all washing and drying done and put away plus washed all bedding and back on.

Started reading a new book, went slightly over on my phone usage but I was replying to a lot of messages from a group that i'm part of.

Completed 3 Chloe Ting workouts in the morning

I cannot wait till the children are back at school to get some kind of routine back, we are all on countdown!

Plans for today

Do a small food shop
Deep clean front room
Go for a run tonight
Get eyebrows tinted/threaded

Menu for today
Spinach frittata
Lentil and ham hock soup
Pea and parmesan risotto
Yogurt & berries for snack

Have a great day everyone!

Could I please join in? Bit late in the day for the 100 days but maybe it’s now 90.
Exhausted by lockdown, working full time and kids at home - I need def help!! Got a family event in end of November that I need to look in good shape for - and sadly have put on 2 stone in lock down. Plus mess of a house ....serious motivation needed!

Bit late but can I join?? I started on Monday £1 a day going AF great tip and husband will match it I've been following 16:8 but last 10lbs not budging and guzzling wine at the weekend not helping! Been on Pinterest and YouTube as want to dress my wardrobe instead of buying crap and rotating what I have! Cleared out tops and jeans today onwards and upwards thank you for starting this thread 🥰

Fairly good start to the day. Had a healthy, plant based, refined sugar free, grain free breakfast .

We are going for a walk soon and I will do some strength training later.

I'm really not into my book. I don't often abandon books unfinished, but I think I might do that on this occasion! I'm over a third of the way through and I don't have strong feelings about any of the characters yet, so I think it isn't for me.

I've downloaded a parenting book on kindle today, about setting boundaries and establishing a good routine for young children. So I will read that instead. I don't normally buy parenting books these days tbh. Not since the baby days, when I bought all the gentle sleep manuals and baby led weaning books etc. But, in the name of getting organised and trying to get us all in a good routine for going back to school, 'proper' mealtimes etc, I think reading up will be a good thing.

I'm still streamlining my wardrobe and replacing things which are past it or too small for me now . Time to let go of the teeny jeans and clubbing gear Capsulate! Those days are gone .

I've bought an interview suit, (not expensive), in the hope that I can get back to work this year 🤞. Need to brush up on my CV though and I'm also a student, so I have that to do as well, but we'll see.

I am actually going to do a little inventory of what is in my wardrobe to keep on my phone, so the next time I think about shopping, I can stop and think, "no, I've already got x and y. I do not need z!"

Oh and I've taken all my vitamins and probiotics today. Also stayed within my 5 unit limit for alcohol for last week, (Thursday to Thursday). So, a few little wins here .

Day 96

Yet 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 last night and gym this morning - might have to reassess when I can go for a swim as back of knees and hammies a bit achy.

Goal number 3 15 mins of translation/writing a day wasn't done yesterday but will do 30 mins today.

baby steps.

Had back to school going here the last few days so havent been 100% focussed on my list but have done some small bits for the house so not a complete write off.

Need to focus on my food a bit more, although dinner today is a take away so maybe ill plan to start from tomo and plan properly .

Does anyone else find when their husband is off work during the week that all their plans go to pot, I end up doing bugger all and eating the same crap he does

Trying to empty / eat up what's in freezer so can defrost, so healthy eating goal not happening, though I've been out for meals twice this week with family and stuck to healthier options so not a total disaster. Not had a drink of wine all week until just now (end of work week for me) and haven't missed it. Inspired by pps goals I think I'll just buy one bottle a week and wean myself off. Unfortunately clearing one of my drawers at weekend just led to many odd bits going in my make up drawer, which is now rammed and needs sorting! Not sure that was the point!? Another birthday celebration weekend and bank hol coming up (though it looks like winter outside here) so will start in earnest next week I think! Have sorted my home office space and got organised with my two jobs, and can't wait for kids to go back next week! Well done everyone!

Day 97: Did a lot of tidying up in the garden. Day 96: Got a haircut and some lovely new trousers. Have 2 bags of clothes sorted for the recycling centre.
My DC are back to school on Monday and Day 95 will be getting the last of the books, stationary and uniforms. I'm usually better organised about school stuff but I think on some level I didn't actually believe they'd be going back.

DAY 96

Started out well, was going fine. We have a septic tank as we’re rural. Had it emptied this evening. Noticed a bad smell in the house, my 3 year old commented “Bailey is muddy”. Yup the dog rolled in it. He’s a golden retriever, he’s big and he’s hairy. DH has now washed him outside once. We’ll prob need to do it again tomorrow.

Oh no @Helgathehairy - that sounds awful!
I've been productive today, powered through work tasks, picked up DD's new glasses and sorted out the kitchen.
Booked myself a manicure in a weeks time as a little treat, meaning that I must get some gardening tasks done this weekend so I don't spoil my lovely nails. The weather has been dreadful here today, just constant rain

Room for another please? I’m up for all motivational threads at the moment!

Weight loss is going ok - slowly slowly, I have a good few stone to go but I’m doing 16:8 (more realistically 14:10) and it’s gradually coming off, I’m exercising more as well.

But self care is atrocious as is my housework. I’ve never been good at this stuff but since the toddler arrived I have let myself be entirely (Other than recently getting a grip on the food/exercise) consumed by looking after others and not myself or my environment.

We are just starting to think about Christmas now after my middle child turns 11 on Sunday so that’s a great motivator. I’ve been on a big drive to try and organise the house and routines and stuff but actually I mustn’t let that be another excuse to neglect myself.

My first self care targets:

• to actually use the body brush I bought a couple of weeks ago. I will try before my shower tomorrow (followed by the moisturiser I bought at the same time, which I have at least used a couple of times!)

• to get a clear nail varnish and do my nails. Much as I love coloured nails I know it just doesn’t work with life (because it gets smudged etc) but I’d like to have looked after, shiny nails :o can anyone recommend a decent one for just using on its own please? Could be a treatmenty sort of thing if that keeps them stronger?

• to write in my diary once by the end of the month - I greatly reduced this in lockdown as there was less going on, and I’m meant to be doing a monthly summary just so I don’t get completely out of the habit, as it does help me.

Not read thread yet but since you are doing the daily achievements can I post mine to catch up 😳

Day 100 - this was an easy day for self care, as I stayed at mum’s for two nights, so it was the first entire childfree day for goodness knows how long (well the last time would have been when I was being induced with DD2 who is nearly three but I don’t think that counts 😅) - it was so refreshing and desperately needed to just have no demands on me.

Day 99 - filled in DD1’s new calendar with her, this is part of hopefully reducing my stress levels as we encourage her to take more responsibility for her schedule

Day 98 - attended a lovely yoga class with a friend

Day 97 - put my MH first as I was really stressed, and insisted on hogging the telly for a bit :o did some exercise and then watched several episodes of a comedy show (with ice cream) while the toddler napped

Day 96 - went to the gym - hoping to increase my use of my membership now, so yoga weekly and gym at least once a week

Hopefully now I can try and do at least one good thing to look after myself each day for the next 95!

(BTW one very important thing I am already doing as autumn/winter approach is to take a high dose of vitamin D - maybe this year I can stave off the winter blues?!)

Oh that sounds horrific @Helgathehairy!
Stressful day for me for a variety of reasons, hopefully tomorrow will be better. Got some admin tasks done though so that's something.
I've been thinking about goals and I want to reduce my caffeine intake so I'm going to start that tomorrow. I know I'll get migraines if I do anything too drastic so I will do it slowly and gently.

I don't know if you're a tea drinker @beautifulshoes but I really recommend clipper decaf tea.

Day 96: planned to have a chill day. My only extra aim was to clean the fridge but instead I had some last minute work so the fridge did not get done. More money though.
We've also managed to sit down and go through the calendar for September so that's some much needed life admin done.
Fridge is on the list for tomorrow.

😱 at the stinky dog. Food better today but did buy a sandwich in work 🙄 language done and book chapter read

Day 96 - l have some nice soft skin going on at my elbows and face. I haven’t spent any money for 3 days.
Today’s food and vitamin’s has gone well and l have done over 16000 steps and a 20 minute yoga session. So l think l have had a successful day. Same again tomorrow.

Night all.

I've just watched two episodes of Marie Kondo for the first time and I'm itching to ransack the whole house! My children are back to school on the 7th so the proper overhaul will begin then.

Vitamin ✅
Fasted breakfast ✅
Healthy lunch ✅
Child focused time ✅
Language learning ✅

No reading, no decluttering and a little whiskey and lots of chocolate consumed!

Sounds like everyone is getting on well.

Day 96 - Swam 800m and did an online dance workout. Really trying to stick with pushing myself to exercise.

Also managed to clear some drawers and made a big pile of clothes to give away.

(On Day 97 I dragged self to pool and managed 600m which was great as was feeling knackered).