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.)

Edna ooh hope you get under that next stone boundary soon! I was fairly close to my next one and then this week put on 3lb - hoping some was period bloat, we shall see tomorrow.

Snipples how annoying about the containers!

Day 65 I got out of the house. Also I’ve been keeping up the food diary and shorter fasts for a couple of days to ease myself back into actually thinking about what and when I eat as I’ve really done badly the last few weeks. I haven’t done any of the planning or studying I needed to though and I feel a bit rubbish about that, I’m so achy from the aqua class still!

Hopefully the swim tomorrow will sort me out, I’m looking forward to it! Need to get organised for the morning though.

Day 66
Walked to the leisure centre then swam 500m.

Yoga today, and heaven help me if I don’t do some studying later!

2 months to go only this week!! So I am feeling more motivated to step up the exercise and be looking good in time for christmas!

House is coming together
Life is coming together
Alcohol reduction would be easier without so many nights out!! But I am trying to enjoy the time with friends that has been missing over lockdown, the only problem being that it is too much fun eating and drinking and having a great time after the lockdown!! My (very) bad, so I need to get back on track.

Doing 16/8 is helping though, and eating well between nights out, and detoxing is also good. So I have four days until Friday night to really focus on these things. Also driving helps as it at least limits what I can drink.

Goals:

No alcohol until Friday
Salads or soups all day every day
Exercise every day to inc dog walking

Focus on wellbeing, the house is as good as it is going to be until decorating is finished and spring clean is completed.

Day 64

Goal Number One A pound a week, end goal date is 15th January for me (holiday).

sing 2 ounces to go till I am back in the 10s. I will soon be there.

Goal Number Two 6 x exercise sessions per week. No sessions this week. Am knackered still. Someone I saw 10 days ago has had a +ve C-19 test, but I don't know whether me feeling rough is co-incidental: I have absolutely no symptoms, apart from feeling v. tired and queasy!!! Although their symptoms were more like a stomach flu confused

Goal Number Three General decluttering. Tidied up the under stairs area and was able to put the bikes there temporarily. Put up the new coat hangers. Painted some paint squares in the hall/landing stairs for a change of colour - not keen on any. Back to the drawing board.

Keep going.

Oops my previous post I put the wrong number! So:

Day 64 (not 66) walk, then swam 500m

Day 63 walked to leisure centre again, then did a 1.5h yoga class.

Food has been a bit better this week, but MH wise I’m struggling so not sure how long that will last really.

Day 65 - baby sensory day so not much exercise. But - I sorted the kitchen cupboards and it is a thing of absolute beauty. Love them. My labels are coming soon and then I can get it finished. Next job is the fridge which I'm dreading.

Day 64 - caught up with a friend today and swam over 2000 m (over three swims) which was good. I then had a bit of a boozy evening with pizza and Prosecco which was fun at the time but feeling it now! Need to be good for the rest of the week now.

I am keeping it simple today:

Exercise
No alcohol
Salad in fridge

Thats it, on repeat, until christmas :)

What is baby sensory day snipples Sounds great!

Oh I just meant I take the little one to Baby Sensory class on a Monday morning.

I usually go for a coffee or lunch after so it's all very chilled. Normally I swim before class but haven't the last couple of weeks.

I'm on mat leave until Jan so keeping busy with lots of activities for the kids to break the week up.

Hi all, sounds like your all doing well.
I’m still doing well but lm annoyed l’m not posting on here as much as l was, the reason is one of my goals was to go to bed at 10.30pm and this was generally when l posted and had a nose around Mumsnet and now l am in bed at 10.30pm and l go straight to sleep.

I only spent £50 on my weeks shopping last night as we didn’t need much. The main thing l now need to focus on is meal planning and not wasting food. I sometimes feel like a cafe worker making three different dinners , the kids call it mums cafe l need to find dinners we will all eat.

Anyone with any ideas or pointers l would be grateful for a share.

I’m loving being organised and so much less stressed. I have loved this thread, but also been so jealous of people swimming. I don’t understand why the baths and libraries in my area are still closed.

Day 63

Goal Number One A pound a week, end goal date is 15th January for me (holiday). And I am, finally, in the 10s. Hurrah.

Goal Number Two 6 x exercise sessions per week. No sessions this week, will restart next week. Although Liverpool looks like it is going into a more extended lockdown, so don't know what that means for the gym and pool.

Goal Number Three General decluttering. Nothing today, prepping for a presentation at work, but once that is done I will crack on.

Keep going.

Well done @EastofEdna! So good to break into the lower stone bracket.

@Solongtoshort for meals could you compromise a bit by saying to each kid they get to pick the dinner one night a week and then you can menu plan for the week but they know they're getting their fave one night? Or maybe get them involved in the cooking (depending on ages).

@Snipples thanks that’s a good idea, l think l am going to try that they are nearly 5 and 8. I know my 8 year old would love it but l would also be worried he would want hot dogs which is his favourite (🤮) my 5 year old would like mixing the things together. I am going to pick some slow cooker meals and some of Jamies 15 minute meals and then let them choose.

So I have finished the last of my cupboards. Decluttering is now finally over. Decorator is coming tomorrow. Carpets are now washed.
We are 'winter ready' and I am definitely feeling a sense of calm slowly and gradually settling over the house again, as I am finishing now. Jobs I have wanted to do all lockdown are slowly and steadily being completed. Windows are next.

I am ill, so can't really do very much more - at least it means I can't face overeating or drinking anything. I am desperate to go to bed.

solong I have a similar issue with so many different dinners, dinners that work for me are Mexican when everyone can choose what they put on their plate, and always goes down well with the children, and made with lots of vegetables it is really healthy. Pasta works well and you can just add different sauces etc to choose from. Greek can be fun, if you just make the grilled pitta, rice, halloumi, roast vegetables and/or grilled chicken or fish and then add some dips and put it all on the table.

Basically anything you can 'put out' gives choice, and for us usually means less complaints! Good luck
I

Day 62
Got some exercise as I collected DD2 from nursery and took her to the park. Then in the evening I did something I’ve been putting off - drew a picture to enter in a competition. Not remotely expecting to win but I have let other competitions pass me by through lack of confidence and procrastination (two of my worst traits!) so the fact I actually had an idea, did it (just about) on time AND was brave enough to submit it is a big win for me!

I am super achy today so I am not expecting to do much, but Inktober starts today so hopefully I can get back into the habit of daily drawing.

Need to do my assignment too though!

How is it 1 October already! This year has just gone in a blink (a big long dragging blink 😷).

Day 63 - had to run into work for a quick meeting so got my steps up and that was about it. I did batch cook two meals when I got back though which I was happy about.

Day 62 - I decluttered and organised the fridge. It's a job I've been putting off so I'm glad to have it done! I've put a little magnetic whiteboard on the fridge door to keep track of what meals are in the fridge (leftovers wise) which will be handy when sorting food for DD (and for us to have less wastage).

One long dragging blink is so right snipples!

Day 61 forced myself out of the house as I’m trying to make sure I leave the house every day. Went to the local pub which I haven’t managed on my own since it first reopened as I felt a bit self conscious! But it was lovely as I sat and did a load of my assignment. Then in the evening I started inktober (and a twenty one pilots version so I’m aiming to do two drawings a day) which really felt great for my MH.

Day 60 I was so tempted to cancel aqua fit class today as my friend couldn’t make it so no lift, it’s disgustingly rainy here. But I missed the bus and walked instead, I’m really pleased I’ve walked there three times this week on top of the actual exercise.

My sleep pattern is going up shit creek though so that’s my next aim really. 4am last night

Day 61 - smashed it on the steps today as went for two long walks. Also had a nice foot massage this morning which was good, although the therapist asked me if I was pregnant when I walked in (which didn't really get me off to a relaxed start). Ah well!

Day 60 - but of a stressful one today as toddler overtired and not in a great mood. Husband felt sorry for me as on the verge of losing my shit all day so ran me a bath this eve. Did face pack and hair mask to unwind.

We're now 40% of the way through this project and there's still loads to do (for me anyway!!)

I have completely lost track of what day we’re on! Looks like everyone is doing really well. Would love to see some of your drawings @SingToTheSky if you feel like posting them here

Running is off and on at the moment . I seem to manage two days a week and get stuck on a third day, and I really need three times a week to stick at it and improve. Today is thwarted by rain, first day of period and bad sleep last night 😟

Weight loss is going okay (9 st 11). I was 9:10 at the start of lockdown and aiming for 9:7, so I’ll keep going till Christmas. 16:8 during the week seems to be working for me.

Slowly moving clothes out of the house - last time I went to the charity shop they said they weren’t taking donations at the moment so I’ve been putting them in the textile recycling bins. I do have books and other bits to get rid of as well though, so I hope they start up again.

@Snipples and @Friendsoftheearth thank you for your tips, we have had Mexican and a pasta dish my and they both just chose different veg and prefer meatballs they have both help cook the meals the chose. Now my little girl want to try hot dog so l have got some real sausage as l don’t really want her to eat the other type and we are also having a curry and cheese burgers .

I am all tidy and still being organised do you realise we are 7 weeks in. Today l have done my run 1 of week 7 c25 k and the second work out on the 30 day shred, l thought l was going to pass out.

We had the boiler checked and it’s all good. So that’s it for another year.

I have decided to wait a while till l buy my Christmas presents. I also bought a soup maker today to make my lunches at work more interesting.

Hope your all well and being safe.

Day 59
Did some decluttering. Just finding stuff to chuck/recycle so nothing too taxing. I have added this as a daily habit to my tracking app so hopefully I can get into the, well, habit!
Went into town too, so had some exercise rather than staying home all day. But it backfired as I had a panic attack and ended up absolutely exhausted from trying to not completely lose my shit in public. I was falling asleep on the sofa by 8pm!

Day 58
First day that I’ve not left the house all week but forgave myself due to flare up. Didn’t do much except planning and admin for this week which helped calm me down a bit as it’s going to be really busy.

I’ve got a few bits done so far today so hopefully a good overhaul day! But in baby steps. Seeing a friend with DS soon.

I still haven’t managed more drawing - it feels so much harder to fit it in this year and I can’t manage when pain is bad so I am quite behind. Here are my first three since you mentioned them Sydney :o

I have the same issue with food in the house, that’s something that I really do need to overhaul as honestly we could qualify for Eat Well For Less right now - we know what we should be doing but it’s just completely overwhelming between coeliac DH, two autistic DCs with different texture and taste issues, and lack of energy/time/organisation I don’t know where to start TBH.

Day 58 (I think)

I’ve not checked in for a few weeks. I’ve managed to lose another 5lbs over the last three weeks (takes me to over a stone since the beg of July) and I’ve upped my swimming to 800 metres/32 lengths - certainly feeling like I’ve got more energy.
I’m also spending more time pampering myself in the evenings and definitely feeling better and more presentable.

Jobs for this month

• tidy up the garden ready for winter,
• clean the oven ready for Halloween and Christmas baking.
• get DD a new hat and gloves set and myself some new wellies.
• also want to start buying Christmas cards and wrapping paper and start writing a list of presents to buy for people. (I don’t normally thinkabout Christmas this early but we’re in strange times and I don’t want to be caught short)

I’ve also ordered some Christmas food from M&S and starting to get the ingredients in to make my Christmas cake at the end of this month.

@SingToTheSky your drawings are amazing l love the mask around the wrist.

Nothing to report.

I have just had a covid test!!

So I have definitely not been able to stay on track with this, I have felt so ill over the weekend. Probably just a cold, but it does mean I have done zero exercise, zero healthy eating and no household decluttering or anything productive.

So I am feeling slightly stronger. A dog walk and some cycling is my plan today. Warm soup and an early night.

Those drawings are great @SingToTheSky ! I love the skull and crossbones (we watch a lot of Swashbuckle in this house )

Went for a run yesterday, in the rain which was quite nice and cooling but I was a bit worried I would slip and have an old lady fall. Only about 20 minutes, but no walking.

Today I have dropped another bag of clothes off at the recycling, bought more socks and tights for the DDs who should now be completely kitted out with uniform for the rest of the year, and treated myself to a new running top and leggings from Primark & a little bottle of perfume from M&S (self care!)