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Original poster

Anyone up for a ‘sort yourself out’ supportive encouraging thread?

405 replies

SpringOn · 06/04/2023 19:18

Hi,
I’m 47, feeing old. I’ve very much lost my way with style, exercise, hair, you name it.
I need to:
lose two stone
decide what to do with my witchy mostly grey hair (I’ve been growing out dark brown dye for 10 months, decided to go grey, but I feel so old! Don’t know whether to go back to dye or stay grey).
mu wardrobe is a disaster. I have some decent smart work stuff but my casual clothes are basically lairy leggings and hoodies. I am a size 20.
My house needs a good clean and de clutter
I want to grow veg and have lovely flowers in the garden

Good bits:
I have a great husband, three fab kids and a job I love
I walk the dog for about 20 mins every day

Anyone want to join for self- improvement on an encouraging thread?

OP posts:
Original poster
SpringOn · 22/04/2023 06:24

@ILoveNigelTufnel that’s a great step count - well done. My legs are also sore- and my knees, so I need to keep an eye out for overdoing it.

Not a bad week, water drinking has dropped off again so that needs attention today. And sleep. I am just not getting enough sleep.

Basics today as I am feeling a bit rough
Take vitamins
Drink 2l water
Read a book for an hoir

Have a great day all

OP posts:
Stressybetty · 22/04/2023 14:54

Afternoon all. Sleeping better and sticking to low carb diet but after the initial 7 pounds loss nothing has shifted. Really need to get back on 5:2 as that's worked in the past but my willpower and hunger defeats me in the evenings. I have CFS so limited energy. Really need to train myself to go to sleep when I go to bed rather than being on my phone and reading for 1-2 hours.

Handpickled · 22/04/2023 16:15

Well gave up Diet Coke but still drinking other cans of fizzy - not nearly so many. Have eaten some crisps but not my usual quantities. So now for the fizzy water and better diet week. Oh and yoga. Must do yoga.

BunsenBurnerBaby · 22/04/2023 17:12

Well done @Handpickled with the Diet Coke. That’s huge!

I feel like I have lost the will and am floundering around. BUT I have done my course homework today and am on top of the laundry mountain for now. I’m knackered and have been for days so wondering if I have a virus (or fighting one off).

IWasGlad · 23/04/2023 08:22

I've realised this week that I really need to sort my sleep out, it is seriously holding me back. It has got to the point where the days when I'm not tired and have a productive and enjoyable day stand out a lot, as they are so rare.

I'm going to work on these three things first:

  1. On days off - get up when I wake up (after a reasonable time) - no lying around in bed and then falling back to sleep.
  2. Go to bed when genuinely tired (not for ipad time) and don't take ipad (can get it to start with after 20 mins or so if I can't get to sleep though)
  3. No alcohol or one glass with meal (hours before bed)

So far so good...I got up this morning when I woke at 7.30 am (work day I get up at 6.30 am, so I'm hoping that in time these will become the same time in a week or so).

Handpickled · 23/04/2023 10:29

cheers BunsenBB but if you have sorted the washing pile you have achieved the impossible!

Iwasglad - that’s some ambition to ignore the lure of nodding back off. I need to do this too!

Stressybetty · 23/04/2023 15:07

Bad head after 1 glass of wine last night. I'm pretty much intolerant to alcohol but stupidly thought I'd risk it 😫. Got the skirting boards, radiator and back of door undercoated yesterday in lounge. Was going to do a first coat on the walls today but might not now! Facing all last nights washing up and finishing the washing as well.

IWasGlad · 23/04/2023 17:43

True @Handpickled ! I can only try...would love to nail this!

Been doing some decluttering today, well helping DS - which is always much easier. No brainer with his clothes - too small and that will never change, so off to the charity shop they go. My clothes that are too small on the other hand...

My second challenge of the day is to have no wine this evening, and hope that is is also day 1 of an alcohol free streak that lasts until the coronation weekend.

CliffsofMohair · 24/04/2023 15:04

This reply has been withdrawn

This message has been withdrawn at the poster's request

prettygirlincrimsonrose · 24/04/2023 19:40

Been tracking food/calories for a week and lost a few pounds which is good. Helped remind me not to snack most evenings, or pick at kids' leftovers.

But house still feels an overwhelming chaotic mess. I'm sure I do everything ridiculously slowly or something, but feels so disheartening.

CliffsofMohair · 24/04/2023 21:20

Down 4lbs since I joined the thread. Thank you for the tips. Upped my water intake considerably which is helping with the urge to perma snack

Original poster
SpringOn · 25/04/2023 08:06

Hello and well done to all of us still clinging to the wagon by their fingernails!

Still doing couch to 5k - have done 7 runs now.
Still trying to drink enough water
off on work trip again today. Busy few weeks. But going to use it as sleep catch up as well as to get on top of my OU course.

So my three for the next three days
In bed, phone away by 9.45pm
Drink 2l water
One hour of OU study per day while away

OP posts:
Stressybetty · 26/04/2023 08:22

Morning all. Am my own worst enemy at the moment. Going to bed at a reasonable time but then reading for hours. Keeping to low carb diet but not losing weight on it. Really need to re incorporate fasting as well but falling off it part way through the day. Basically need more self control and getting in a better routine.

sundaymorningcall · 26/04/2023 13:44

This thread has made me realise how many different aspects of my life I really need to sort out. Yesterday I started to declutter my spare room. I took 2 bin bags to the dump and have another 2 to take to the charity shop today. However, I feel even more in a guddle with it all. I really need to sit down and work out what the priorities are. I just want everything to be sorted yesterday so I go at it all full pelt then give up after a day or so as its all just too much.

Today I have meal planned all meals and snacks until Friday and stripped the bed. I also watched the Lewis Capaldi documentary this morning. I feel a bit guilty about wasting time but I know that's silly as I need some time to chill.

Hope everyone is still chipping away at their goals

Stressybetty · 26/04/2023 17:45

3rd coat on lounge walls today, going from grey to an icy white. DH thinks it's fine now but still looks pale grey to me! Still need to gloss the woodwork in there, put up the new wall lights, touch up and varnish the built in cupboards but will be done over next couple of days. Fasting going well today, seems easier to just not eat then have an evening meal. Going to really try to get to sleep at a reasonable time tonight and not start reading and get up and going tomorrow.

Original poster
SpringOn · 29/04/2023 16:06

Oooh sounds lush @Stressybetty - is it finished now or is that a bank holiday job?

How’s the decluttering going, @sundaymorningcall ? It feels like an ongoing battle here too.

so a busy day today - football this morning and then a big garden job this afternoon that has been on the list for AGES! So glad to get it done!

And from now on the rest of the day is about chilling out. About to have a bath and hair wash, then clean soft clothes and a long read in the hammock. Bliss!

in other news I have got my new glasses which I love, and new sunglasses 😎, both of which I really needed. And my wardrobe is so much better now. My linen wide leg trousers and denim jacket are getting lots of outings.

I feel MUCH better than 14 pages ago.
Anyone else have victories to report?

OP posts:
Stressybetty · 29/04/2023 16:43

Lounge slow going as tired and have doggy guests for the weekend. Walls done, settling for the 3 coats of white as not enough paint for another coat! Skirting nearly done. New wall lights drilled and fitting today. Still got cupboards to touch up but found the paint we used. Had a whole house to do and time pressured but have a detailed list for every room which helps. Lots of other stresses also. Getting on better with MIL, biting my tongue and making an effort to remember she's frail, elderly, muddled and not thinking about what she says. Managed a successful 500 calorie fast day and will do again tomorrow so very pleased with myself. Love to hear about others successes too.

Mybestusername · 29/04/2023 17:36

I've fallen off and feel terrible about it. BUT I have been for a facial and haircut today (first proper haircut in about 4 years!) and am going to get back on track food and exercise-wise this week - I promise!

Original poster
SpringOn · 29/04/2023 21:09

@Mybestusername absolutely no feeling bad about falling off the wagon. Jump tight back on with your glowing skin and freshly-styled hair. You look fabulous, by the way 😜

OP posts:
SydneyCarton · 01/05/2023 10:28

I’ve been lurking on this thread since the start and have been so impressed with everyone’s success. I’ve also started listening to Nothing Much Happens and I absolutely love it. The whispering ASMR style has never done anything for me but her voice is so soothing.

I’m okay generally with vitamins, exercise etc but something I do need to do more of is drink water. I’m not even a water hater but recently I’ve let it slide (it’s harder in the cold weather!) and have really noticed the difference to my skin when I made an effort to hydrate properly.

So, for the moment, my daily goals are going to be drinking at least 2L of water throughout the day, and doing up to 3 practical tasks or jobs that need doing. I may not get round to 3 every day but 1 should be manageable. I also want to do 1 self care thing a day as it’s an area I tend to neglect.

Stressybetty · 01/05/2023 21:01

Finally finished the lounge, all painting done, lights up and 8 foot v heavy curtains hung back up using a too short ladder 😫. Tomorrow moving fridge etc, cleaning and starting painting utility. Not fasted since last week but will pick it up this week. Have hurt foot and PMT also v tired.

SydneyCarton · 01/05/2023 21:22

Had my 2L of water and have done the sort-of-practical task of making some cookies to use up ingredients which are approaching or have passed their BBE. Self care thing has been to shape my nails and do my cuticles; didn’t quite get round to the full manicure yet…

Brighton2019 · 01/05/2023 23:09

I'd love to join... I'm 40 with two children, a ft job, partner that works longs hours a d I feel completely miserable😭 I've fallen out with a lot of my friends or just stopped making the effort. But enough is enough and I'm done with feeling so shitty all the time- mentally, physically and emotionally. Long term goals:
Loose weight (probably 10 Stone needs to go)
Become much more organised at home and house proud
Find a style that I enjoy wearing and suits my body shape. Improve my make up look
Find an exercise I enjoy and get better at it
Get myself a hobby - I love singing and would love to join a choir but lack the confidence to do it

My 3 steps this week to start off:
Start calorie counting - even just writing everything down so I know where to start
Drink more water
Try to get out for 20 mins walk -everyday

Looking forward to seeing where we all get too!

Handpickled · 03/05/2023 18:38

Well am stiff off the coke - not really done much else but have had a busy phase at work and had a good handover. Busy with the kids and booking social things out but non of that exercise stuff!

Brewskipa · 03/05/2023 19:41

I fell off the wagon for a little bit with the diet and gained 5lbs…got back on it yesterday and then came down with a stomach bug - plus side is I lost the 5lbs I gained 😂 managed a bagel today and then back to low carb tomorrow. I’ve at least been taking my meds and vitamins and keeping on top of my skincare!