Summer of self improvement. Anyone else in?

[OohAThunderstorm]

OK. I know these threads come up fairly often. I haven't seen one for a while but I'm looking for inspiration to make some positive changes to my life and wondered if anyone was up for joining me! For motivation and inspiration.

I'm a teacher and we're entering the last 5 weeks of term which is a slog of report writing, assessments, data, parents evening, end of year productions and tired, hot, emotionally disregulated children 😁😵

I need something to plan for and look forward to!

Mentally, my year runs from September to September rather than January to January and I have the 6 weeks holiday to implement real change. I'm using what little headspace I have over the next 5 weeks to think, plan and prepare!

Every year, I promise myself I'm going to do this and every year I don't!

I'm determined this year will be different!

I'm 48. As of this morning's weekly weigh in, I've lost 19lb. My goal is 22lb at which point, I'll review losing another half stone.

For the past few weeks, I've been diligent about my Saturday morning pedicure - Saturday kitchen, a rosemary and rock salt foot spa, nails clipped and painted. My feet are now ready for anything!

I eat well, don't exercise at all 🙈, drink water. Lots of 'self care' stuff i guess, personal grooming ok but could maybe be better. I need to get better organised in the kitchen - batch cooking in half term holidays for the upcoming half term is a goal I never quite meet!

My biggest thing is that I need to improve my self confidence. I just want to feel a bit more in control of myself and my life and not riddled with the self doubt that has held me back for years.

Anyone fancy joining me? Or sharing things they've done that made all the difference tp them. Thanks.

I’d like to join too!

I’ve recently been dumped so need to take some time to focus on myself and put myself back together.

My plans are:

• Get back to calorie counting and making better food choices- could definitely do with losing a stone or 4
• Do at least 3 gym classes a week
• Keep on top of the house and maybe do some decorating to make it a nice space that makes me happy
• Find and start a hobby that will get me out the house more
• Boost self-esteem: still working out how to achieve this one!

@Gazelda I have a make up lesson booked next week! I buy make up but then have no idea how to apply and end up washing it off. Will let you know any top tips

OP, you sound like you are doing SO SO well. You work hard, you are a teacher! Reading your OP just made me want to say: don’t set yourself new targets! Don’t give yourself another to do list so you can become something that’s seriously not realistic. Do something you personally enjoy with your time off and that you find interesting.

Haha make up, I've not worn it for over 4 years. Maybe about 3 times since then. I used to wear it every day, just bb cream and mascara at least. Now I don't care that I look pale, ill and awful 😂
I'd like to add saving money up to my list but I'm going to think about make up.

@dreaminginrainbows sorry that you were dumped!

Today I have:

• Personal training session *Taken my vitamins *10,000 steps *Drunk 2 litres of water

Still to do:
*read a chapter of my book
*Duolingo

Also need to cook but I’m so bloody tired! I’m doing tofu and rice which isn’t what I want when I’m so tired!

Good morning! Thunderstorms here in a Sussex so rainy walk to work. It was my partners birthday yesterday but resisted wine and it wasn't too bad.

Today will be more weights and yoga plus a run if the rain stops ... hmmm that is the same as yesterday but not in the mood for the gym.

Asserted myself at work and led a meeting. Wishing you all a terrific Tuesday

Morning!

Hope everyone is doing OK so far today.

Lots of great ideas on here and I'm feeling inspired!

Beenawhilesinceacupoftea Thanks but I get so swamped with work that if I don't actively make plans for things (even allocating time to rest and do something nice) the rime gets swallowed up with more work.

I bought a new fitness tracker which arrived yesterday so I'm going to aim to get in my 10,000 steps (which should be easily doable at work) and my partner has suggested we also start going for after dinner walks to get a bit of exercise and fresh air. As he correctly observed, I'm mentally exhausted in the evenings but don't very often get physically tired. The mental exhaustion stops me from doing anything productive and I end up feeling sluggish and as though I've wasted the evening.

I've restarted taking vitamin D too.

My aim is to get ideas sorted, formulate some sort of SMART targets and then spend the summer hols getting things in place and forming new habits for September. I can try things out and see what works over the summer.

Asserted myself at work and led a meeting.

That's brilliant! How did you feel?

Teacher here too although we finish in two week’s time. I always find I lose impetus in the summer holidays as I slow down and don’t do most of the things I planned. This year I’m going to join the gym so I can swim regularly, go for more dog walks, do some gentle prep for September, do the Zoe programme and do some decorating/diy.

I lose impetus too. I spend the first week recovering, the second week relaxing... and before I know it, its September again!

That's why I want to have some rt of structured plan for it!

I've been thinking of the gym too and swimming. There's a fully refurbished pretty nice council run gym within easy walking distance of my house. I've got no excuse really!

What's the Zoe programme..?

I just looked it up. It's true - Google was friend 😉

Looks interesting!

OP I am blatantly placemarking to catch up later but you could be me! I am the same age, on a weight loss plan and was thinking this morning how to improve my footcare as I haven't done any for ages !

❤️

I swear by rock salt and fresh rosemary foot soaks. That or apple cider vinegar.

Dead skin is easily removed and it leaves your feet feeling relaxed, refreshed and smooth!

I did try footner fairly recently and it good to use after the winter but full of chemicals and not really any more effective.

Now live lost 1.5st, I've decided to rely on measurements rather than the scales. Which is a good idea during the hot weather as your body retains more water when it's hot and so fucks up the scales a bit!

I had an unexpected Date Day with Dah yesterday. No DC tagging along.
I was a little worried we'd have nothing to talk about, but made the effort and we had a great time.
Kept reminding myself to sit up straight in the restaurant, on tube etc.
And drank loads of water (alongside cocktails).
I've been using cream in my heels for about a week and it's definitely making a difference to do it regularly rather than whenever I remember
Dental hygienist and opticians check up booked.

Sounds like a lovely day!

How do ypu make the foot soak?

Can I ask you guys soMething?

There seems to a lot of teachers on this thread. I'm a school governor (primary) and I'd like to get a gift for the team in my linked subject to mark the great (but hard, incl Ofsted inspection) year they've had.

Can you recommend anything that would feed their soul or help them feel like they're on top of life?

I'm thinking about this thread and wondered about a beautiful sept-aug organiser. But would that be something they'd already have by this time in summer term?

Apologies for going off topic!

I personally would love a fancy planner!!

Following!

I always join in with these and do nothing.

So I’d love to join in (again) and each one of you is free to harass me and give me a massive kick up the arse.

Main areas will be drinking water, eating less, doing more, regulating my schedule, and just being less of a loser really.

This is definitely something I need to do. Since I had my DD nearly a year ago, I feel like I'm just in survival mode. I find myself waiting for things go "back to normal", which of course they never will and I'll have a new "normal, and as a result ive neglected myself massively.
I don't have any hobbies or interests anymore. All I look forward to is food which is why I've put on 2 stone since having her. Ive just started the Fast 800 diet, so hoping I stick to it. I used to do lots of theatre, so hoping to find a local group and get back on stage!
Like the idea of better posture and also being more patient - I'm sometimes not as nice as I should be to my DD - I'm so moody all the time!

@OohAThunderstorm wear the bikini 👙 Don't wait to be your ideal weight (remember the Baz Luhrman song).
How have you lost the weight? You've done very well.

In terms of building confidence, there are so many self development books out there. I like Ryan Holidays books that are all about the stoics. Wise words for today's busy world. I'm reading Stillness is the Key and its good.

I'm up for this too, thanks OP.

My skincare routine is pretty good and I am a disciple of Queen Caroline Hirons but I have a few issues still to conquer.

I really must do better with my body skincare and need to use my IPL machine.

Would love to lose my mum tum but recently had a c section so will get on that when I am able. I hate my thighs. They're so wobbly and have loads of stretch marks and lumps.

Full of good intentions!

Good luck, everyone x