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.)

Ooh I've got a bit of catching up to do...

Day 59 - went out for a walk today to boost steps and generally tidied house and batch cooked a few meals.

Day 58 - did well on the steps today and had a decent swim this morning. Baby being fussy in the evening so ended up having a fast night which I think is helping with the weight loss.

Day 57- first KIT day today so just about made my steps. Took toddler to a class in the morning so that helped get me moving.

Day 56 - Aiming to get a walk in but need to go into the office again so not sure where I'll find the time. Weighed in this morning and lost a few more pounds bringing me to a total of 20lbs off since August 💃🏻

Ah we are still here; @singtothesky – love the drawings.

@snipples – good work on the 20 pounds since August.
@sydneycarlton – I am always very envious of other people’s gym kit.

Day 56

Goal Number One A pound a week, end goal date is 15th January for me (holiday). Still under the 10s but no movement; but better than it going up!

Goal Number Two 6 x exercise sessions per week. No sessions all last week, I had just about enough energy to get work done, but am back this week. Did about 3 hours of walking over the last weekend though. Back to stalking the release of gym classes online for spinning. Yoga class has closed – the instructor is concentrating on her online courses until C-19 is done. There are plenty of courses on line, but there is something about yoga practise in a room with other people.

New Goal Number Three – decluttering all completed, so a new goal – reduce credit card debt. My action for this week is to update my finance tracker; not done since August so I can see where I make savings. It might be that it can’t be done and I can work out when it can be done, but that that would be a start.

Keep going.

Also: am in a pair of jeans I haven't worn for 4 years without struggling to get in them and whipping them off after a couple of hours because they were so uncomfortable

Day 55

Goal Number One A pound a week. I am now officially overweight rather than obese.

Goal Number Two 6 x exercise sessions per week.2 down, 4 to go. Still looking for a yoga class; although with the extended extended lockdowns and expecting the gyms to be closed here as well, sooner rather than later.

Goal Number Three reduce credit card debt. Downloaded all banking data. Today's task is to import it into the spreadsheet and categorise the spend.

Keep going

Well done East!

I am 6lbs away from the overweight category so that's my next mini aim.

Day 55 - swam 1220m and got my steps in. My labels arrived for kitchen cupboards so I put those on and finished them off. I love the look so going to grab some more for the fridge etc.

thank you snipples. slow but steady eh?

Day 54

Goal Number One A pound a week. Getting there for this week. I have signed up for the low carb bootcamp as I am low carbing anyway; may as well get some support there too! Next little goal is to be in the single digits pounds wise in this stone zone.

Goal Number Two 6 x exercise sessions per week.2 down, 4 to go. Found a yoga class, will go on Sunday. Will be out walking tomorrow and Sunday. Hoping to swim on Sunday too, if I can get up early enough! So that should get me up to goal.

Goal Number Three reduce credit card debt. Everything is spreadsheeted and categorised up to mid September. Next step is to work out what is spare cash till the end of the year.

Keep going.

Yikes, not posted this week! Time is going quickly at the moment. Thank you for the nice comments about the drawings :) and I’m very impressed at the weight loss! Mine has somewhat stalled

Day 57 (I think that was Monday anyway?)
Met a friend and her DS for the first time since long before lockdown. Then organised a load of home ed resource downloads which will make planning easier.

Day 56
Yoga. Sadly the only time I’ve been to the leisure centre this week compared to the 2-4 I’m aiming to build up to. Also did loads of my assignment.

Day 55
Made time for board games for the first time in ages. I’ve started writing it into the home ed plan so we prioritise it and DS gets some guaranteed family time among the studying while toddler is at nursery.

Day 54
Bit of tidying and cleaning, that’s about it.

Day 53 (today?)
Met my Homestart worker in person for the first time which was nice. Then had DS’ autism support session and had a really useful discussion with the therapist after.

It’s been a damn long week. This weekend we are trying to put some “house rules” in place to settle things down a bit in the house. I feel like we live in chaos much of the time!

Just seen this, I need to join in too and lose weight and be more organised and do some decluttering and admin I’ve put off! As well as wanting to start a skin care routine

@daisydaydreaming - welcome. This has been a great thread to keep me accountable and has seen me through a massive house declutter.

@singtothesky I have been doing some 'draw with rob' tutorials remotely with my niece. They are very addictive and give me a nice alternative to 15 mins of creativity a day.

@snipples - I am hoping my pool doesn't close this week, I am supposed to be doing a 'swim the channel' challenge.

Day 51

Goal Number One Starting the low carb bootcamp today; which I am all ready for. Today I got dressed properly for work - I am usually in jeans/leggings + jumper.

Goal Number Two 6 x exercise sessions per week. All done for last week. I might need to revise this as am in the north west and it is looking likely we are going into a stricter lockdown and I am expecting the gym to close. I might convert it to 6 hours a week.

Goal Number Three reduce credit card debt. Need to switch to a balance transfer card to reduce interest payments; will research today.

Keep going.

Day 54 - day at the pool today with kids. Almost had a heart attack as we momentarily lost the 2 yo (for about 40 seconds but felt like an hour) so def burned a few stress calories!

Day 53 - chilled day. Went to ikea to grab more drawer organisers and containers. Loved the labels for the kitchen so ordering more for other areas of house.

Day 52 - didn't do much today as potty training eldest but managed my steps. I melted down almost used up candles and recycled into wax melts.

Day 51 - going for a big walk to get steps off and burn some cals. Have fallen out with scales as they keep showing a loss and then adding on 4/5 pounds within days. Little bastards.

Day 54 - day at the pool today with kids. Almost had a heart attack as we momentarily lost the 2 yo (for about 40 seconds but felt like an hour) so def burned a few stress calories!

Day 53 - chilled day. Went to ikea to grab more drawer organisers and containers. Loved the labels for the kitchen so ordering more for other areas of house.

Day 52 - didn't do much today as potty training eldest but managed my steps. I melted down almost used up candles and recycled into wax melts.

Day 51 - going for a big walk to get steps off and burn some cals. Have fallen out with scales as they keep showing a loss and then adding on 4/5 pounds within days. Little bastards.

Sorry for double post. Phone being as much of a dick as my scales apparently 😒

Hi all , your all doing great by the sounds of it. I’ve lost a total of 22lbs but still have a bit to go before l am classed as overweight sadly.

@Friendsoftheearth l hope your well.

I have been busy with life but kept on track with all my original goals, but over the last week l have let my admin slip so l am going to save time aside on Wednesday to sort it out.

My shopping bill has come down as l am now planing better and we have had a Mexican chose by my son and pasta chosen by my daughter and the both helped prepare it so that 5 nights a week that we all eat the same thing now. It’s so much easier.

My stress levels have come down so much since we started this, l now sleep so much better and as much as l don’t post everyday anymore l still jump on and read.

I have also had the courage to send a idea of mine into work which might make a difference, the head of the department rang me to discuss my idea and loved it. So when life is a little less restricted l get to go head office to discuss it further.

Day 52 (yesterday?) - went for a run making it three times in one week for the first time in ages, plus got a PB for 5K, so feeling pretty good about that. Now to keep it going! Also tackled some of the clean laundry pile and made homemade pizza (which the children mostly failed to eat, but I enjoyed it

Day 51 - another bag of clothes dropped off in the recycling bin, bought a new phone case as the old one is looking a bit battered, a new tablecloth (likewise) and slippers. I am slightly annoyed with myself for buying cheap Primark ones which will fall apart in a few months rather than spending a bit more and getting a decent pair but hey ho, I now have warm feet.

Day 50

Goal Number One 1 pound a week - slowly moving towards the next pound off.

Goal Number Two 6 hrs a week exercise. I hour done in the gym today, but as am in Liverpool, gyms will be closed for the next 4 weeks at least.

Goal Number Three reduce credit card debt. Can't find a balance transfer card; have wacked up monthly payments.

Keep going.

Day 49 & 48

Goal Number One 1 pound a week - slowly moving towards the next pound off. My god, it IS slow though.

Goal Number Two 6 hrs a week exercise. Still only the one hour down. Today need to find some online yoga and then check the weather reports so I can get out on the bike.

Goal Number Three reduce credit card debt. I was looking to offload some of the books I've got through Music Magpie - some of the more obscure ones only get 22p; my sibling's escapist chick lit novels were coming in at half price ! :-)

Wee bit of catching up from me...

Day 50 - half way there! - took toddler to her class this morning and then had a nice lunch with DH which was a bit of a rarity these days.

Day 49 - not much going on. Had a bit of a walk but that's about it. I've fallen off the wagon diet wise so need to get back on it. Also def need to exercise more. Baby not sleeping well so just feeling a bit knackered.

Day 48 - had a busy day of classes with toddler and then had to pop into work for a panel discussion. Afterwards I nipped to shops and treated myself to a lovely dress I've been eyeing up and some new tops for back to work. Sized down on a few which was a nice feeling.

Day 47 - very little exercise today but made huge progress on the house. Cleared lots of space in living room/ dining room. Sorted a few decorative bits for Halloween so it's all looking nice and cosy.

Day 46 - have hit almost 20k steps today so that's good. Also organised lots more clothes and cleared another big pile for donation.

Now over half way through - the house is definitely starting to take shape. Aiming to get a lot of decluttering done by the end of this month. In November I want to really focus on diet and exercise to make sure I'm on track for a stone off by Christmas.

Eek. Behind again.

Day 52 (last Saturday!) met a friend for breakfast at my local. Ended up there for four hours chatting - possibly not the most productive use of time but I don’t care as it was soooo good to catch up in person!

Day 51 not much, just planning for home ed.

Day 50 got through the day. That was about it - DH had a procedure at hospital and it didn’t go well, and then we got a call saying nursery was closing and toddler has to self isolate due to a positive test result from the nursery, so it was quite a depressing day really.

Day 49 got a bit organised for Christmas, that’s about it.

Day 48 made some phone calls I’d been procrastinating over - booked the youngest two in for flu spray, booked myself a phone appt, and phoned the market research people we are on the panel for although DH thankfully took that over after a while!

Day 47 tried my new watercolours - normally that’s the kind of thing I’d procrastinate over but I’ve been meaning to try painting for ages so I’m glad I forced myself!

Day 46 did my practical assessment for my course! I was so nervous but it went really well. I then got straight on with more written work related to the practical.

Day 45 (yesterday?) had a proper discussion with DH about house rules and routines to hopefully get us a bit more organised. It’s a contentious issue as we always try these things and fail quickly, we all struggle a lot with routine. I also started tidying our room a little.

I really need to think about actual aims going forward as I feel like I’m just existing at the moment! I’ve put on weight again and my sleep although longer (I recently weaned the toddler so now DH is sitting with her if she wakes overnight) is not great as I’ve got very reliant on having Netflix on to help me sleep and I keep waking up a lot. Motivation is really hard!

@snipples - that is excellent news re clothes - and a size down :-)
@singtothesky - hope you can stick to your house rules - we are spending so much time inside it is nice to have a comfortable environment. Hope sleep gets better

Day 47 & 46 & 45

Goal Number One 1 pound a week - hopefully will be there tomorrow. God, it's slow. But I have lost 12" overall. I did have an eye rubbing moment when I measured my hips - the old lady hips are going!

Goal Number Two 6 hrs a week exercise. 3 hours done this week, 5 miles on the bike, 5km run and one gym session before we went back into lockdown.

Goal Number Three reduce credit card debt. This is the blooming worst goal to make every day, incremental changes which is what I use this thread for. Anyway, there is a plan to pay one credit card off by the time we get to Day 1.

Day 44

Goal Number One 1 pound a week - done.

Steps for today:

1. Keep busy with DIY - today finish the plastering patching up under the stairs.
2. No trek bar when I have my daily exciting walk to the shop
3. Up my water to 2.5l
4. Get out for a longer walk later, or maybe a 30 min run to keep me out of the fridge
5. Continue to go through all my clothes as incentive. There is nothing left to throw out/recycle now. I can now zip up all the size 14s. They don't look great, but once I have made amendments to lengths etc, most of them will be good office clothes (If we ever get back to an office). I have chosen the 'goal' dress.
6. Sort toiletries into 'Day' and 'Night' boxes and work out a routine.

Goal Number Two 6 hrs a week physical exercise/wellbeing. Am aching today after run yesterday and climbing up and down ladders doing some DIY. I have a gym session tomorrow - although I only do 1:1 sessions in there with a PT I am not sure if that is allowed; the current rules imply that indoor workouts on a 1:1 basis are allowed. I will turn up regardless.

1. Do a yoga session this evening after more DIY
2. Do a Headspace meditation

Goal Number Three reduce credit card debt by paying off one credit card by 1 December.

1. Shift a daily amount that I would have spent on commuting/food in the office into the savings account
2. Work out the earliest it can be paid once bills and CT have been taken into account.

That seems a lot for one day; but all doable.

Lost count of the days (again!) but EastofEdna is inspiring me to set some goals to break it down a bit.

Goal 1: run 10k by the end of the 100 days. I’d hoped to crack this a lot sooner but I’m currently doing around 6.5k on a long run, so I’m confident of doing it by 1 December. Just finished a 5.5k run with a PB for the first mile

Goal 2: at least one carrier bag a week for charity or recycling (not many shops are taking stuff at the moment so it’s mainly clothes I can get rid of). Dropped two bags off yesterday

Will try to think of some more goals later!

Loving the goal talk, well done!

Day 44 (Sunday) did quite a bit of sorting in our bedroom to prepare for building new wardrobe, got rid of rubbish etc, quite a good housework day. Also left iPad downstairs to try and wean myself off Netflix to sleep (which I’ve managed 4 out of the last 5 days as I’m writing this - mostly using audiobooks but still it’s an improvement)

Day 43 cooked lots and did loads of laundry so another good day for the house.

Day 42 did some more decluttering in our bedroom and did final submissions on my course which is now signed off! Also finally returned my library books :o

Day 41 found out I won a little art competition with one of my drawings and had a nice walk to and from the supermarket

Day 40 did loads of planning for after half term, and decluttered my downloads on the iPad (it’s all educational resources for DS but then I don’t use them that well because the folders are such a mess!)

Day 41 (today) had a really nice meet up with a friend and our boys, lovely to catch up.

Struggling with the overhaul idea TBH - it is too much effort just to stay afloat ATM, let alone improve anything, and yet I know I can’t make life easier without putting the effort into improving! I do need to set some specific goals.

I have had a little success with Habitica though, as there are a few small daily tasks that I’ve managed more often since adding them on there to tick off when done.

Next I do need to decide what course to do now I’ve finished the first one so hopefully that will inspire me a bit.

@singtothesky - congratulations on the winning the art competition

Day 37

The time is flying by!

Goal Number One 1 pound a week - done. I will soon be into the single digits for this stone zone I cannot wait.
Steps for today:

1. Keep up with water - days when I drink more water, the ounces lost increase.
2. The days it looks impossibly slow check in with the 'Happy Weight' app for motivation.
3. My skin is looking a bit spotty/rubbishy from mask wearing when out and about, need to be a bit less slap dash about cleansing.

Goal Number Two 6 hrs a week physical exercise/wellbeing.

1. On track for the rest of the week - Gym this morning, spin class last night, gym again later (this morning was weights, tonight is to sit on an exercise bike and get some miles in and keep my sibling company)
2. I am listening to the Headspace app on Healthy Eating first thing in the morning and a soundscape at night to help me drop off at night. May as well get my money's worth out of my subscription. Goal for week to continue.

Goal Number Three reduce credit card debt by paying off one credit card by 1 December.

1. All my finances up until the 1st December are sorted out and allocated.
2. I have unsubscribed from lots of clothing sites so as not to be tempted
3. Check my Experian score - it fell into the OK category last time I looked.
4. Sort out the pin number on my debit c - maybe that is a good thing - no random purchases can be made!

One of the consequences of the declutter I started at the beginning of the thread has been that it's highlighted bits of the house that look a bit shabby! We have been decorating the hall/landing/stairs using the principles of the thread - slow, steady steps every day, so we are getting there.

Day 38 (yesterday)

Goal 1: run 10k by 1 December. Did 3.5 miles in the morning after nursery drop off.

Goal 2: one charity bag a week. Started one off with a couple of outgrown children’s clothes.

New goal 3: 15 minutes of non-essential housework (although is any of it really essential? ). A bit of time in addition to the basic washing/cooking/cleaning to focus on one space or task and slowly chip away at it. I spent 15 minutes putting away a pile of clean laundry that had sat on a chest of drawers in the children’s room for ages and I even had a minute left to give it a quick wipe and polish. Looks so much better.

New goal 4: one bit of self care each day. Gave my feet a soak and scrub before bed, trimmed my toenails and put some cream on them.

Day 39 (yesterday, always behind!)

Goal 1: 10k by 1 December. Rest day

Goal 2: 1 charity bag a week. Nothing added.

Goal 3: 15 minutes extra housework. I cleared the top of the chest of drawers in my bedroom which has the TV and some toiletries and cosmetics on it. So dusty . Much better now plus several bits moved or thrown out so it looks tidier and less cluttered.

Goal 4: self care. Borrowed a new library book (working my way through the Cormoran Strike series about five years after everyone else ). Also took a bit of time to blow dry my hair and put some mascara on