One of them there "sort my life out" threads

[SteviebunsBottrittrundle]

I'm looking for one of the threads for general S&B self-improvement threads, a bit like the princess ones there used to be.

For the record I'm planning to cut out alcohol completely for a while. I have a social thing tomorrow where I'll probably have a glass of wine or two but after that will cut out. Also doing as much yoga as I can to tone up a bit (finding inner leave along the way would be lovely too).

Does anyone know if there are any threads like this running atm?

I haven't seen one. But I'm happy to join in with you. I want to sort my diet, exercise, generally make more of an effort, hopefully resulting in feeling generally happier, energised etc, etc...

Oh have I started one? Exciting!

Yes, let's join forces! I've given up "going on diets" per se as I keep losing and gaining the same few lbs I put on when I had my DD . It's annoying and I am sure isn't good to keep yo-yo-ing.

I think I'll take this in steps as I want to make some permanent changes instead of my usual 'lose weight as quickly as possible so I can go back to eating crap normally again'.

Here is my plan (for phase one):

1. Cutting out alcohol and unhealthy snacks between meals.
2. More fruit, veg and water and as much yoga as possible.

I'll be joining in. I'm trying to loose weight, 19lbs gone so far, many more to go. But my maternity leave finishes the end of August and I have a new job to go to which I'm hugely excited about but want to get some sort of "new improved me" thing for. i dream of looking like a chic and sophisticated lady, always perfectly turned and polished. But in reality I'm a fat dumpy mum of 4 who classes it as a good day if I've managed to blow dry my hair.....
First step is continuing the diet. 1000-1200 calories per day and 10000 steps.
I've measured my boobs via the boob or bust group on Facebook. Apparently I'm a 30HH (I've been wearing a 36DD) so new bra ordered from bravissimo. Desperately need my hair cut, hopefully I can get that booked in next week.
And try and wear contact lenses daily.

Wow, well done on that weight loss and the new job Teaandcake!

I can relate to the vision of a new you! I am dying to look glowing, like Ella Woodward (never going to happen - she was a model even before she gave up gluten etc ). In reality I look tired, pasty and in serious need of toning up and losing a few lbs .

I'm in. I'm trying to walk more to offset the unhealthiness of sitting at a desk all day. Also trying to avoid over-eating during the day due to boredom at work.
I too have given up on diets per se and accepted that this is what I weigh more or less, but I found 5:2 really good at resetting my appetite and eating habits a couple of years ago so may try and throw a bit of that into the mix. Would be nice to just feel healthier in general.
I've got two walking holidays coming up in September and November, both on quite steep terrain, and would really like to make the most of them.

Hi, I'd like to join in please! I feel so stuck in a rut and down on myself at the moment. Have given up alcohol and fags (although briefly fell off both wagons when I was visiting a friend last weekend!) but would love to make some lasting changes to my lifestyle and feel moe energetic. I want to

Start Yoga every day for peace and flexibility
Easy more healthily
Declutter the junk, clothes and toys
Restart 30 day shred
Be more productive the evenings as have a small business that I am just to tired to do much with lately
Be consistent with hula hooping practice as I hardly ever do it in the evenings now even though I love it so much (utter lack of energy)

Welcome jenny!

Yes! I loved 5:2. Think fasting is something that can definitely be done long term as well. I might think about it for phase 2. I wondered about combining 16:8 and 6:1 for a minimal level of slow weight loss / just maintenance.

I think I was at my fittest when I did a lot of walking up hill (I had a 45 min uphill walk to work every morning). It was great.

And welcome balti! Very well done on giving up fags and booze. I'll be joining you on the no alcohol front.

There are some great ideas on all the posts here. I actually have the 30 day shred Dvd somewhere and hula hoop practice?? That sounds like so much fun. I'll have to look it up. Is it for fitness?

Well done baltipie on giving up the fags and booze.
Yes steviebuns whenever I shut my eyes I think of myself looking like Kate Middleton. It's just when I open them I look like Kate middleton if she was fat, run down, poor and living on a council estate.
What's the 30 day shred like? I've never tried it. I do have Charlotte Crosbys 3 minute belly blitz that I try to do twice a week

30DS is great - you do have to do it all and not get bored at day 13, but I lost a couple of inches all over (arms, waist, thighs) just in time for a holiday. Not much weight loss exactly because I built some muscle from all the squatting!

I'm trying to work out for 15 minutes every morning again which sets me up for the day. Oh, and eat less pasta. No more giant platefuls 4 times a week!

I'm in as well! This is what I need to keep me motivated. I'm trying to lose weight & doing ok, slow but steady, but the overall maintenance as I'm getting older is time consuming! I'm like a rusty old car, no matter how much money you spend on it it still looks knackered!!
I'm off work for the 6 weeks hols so am dramatically cutting carbs, it's going ok so far & im honestly not hungry between meals.
I'm seriously considering a massive investment of a Lumea to deal with hairy legs & bits, I swear to god the day I turned 40 hairs started sprouting of places they'd never grown from before.
Clothes wise, I'm very presentable for work - but am a 34FF & things can look a bit Hattie Jaques, I have to be careful. Outside of work I want to feel a bit more stylish, not sure how though.
Hair was cut & coloured yesterday, nails are shellaced ( best money I ever spend) doing a massive walk later with the kids...but out with friends tonight so may have a couple of drinks!!

I think I'd like to start yoga - any DVD or YouTube recs for beginners? Something gentle like hatha but up to date and trendy?

Hi minnie and PN! Glad to hear 30DS actually gets results if you do it properly. I gave up after about a week last time .

I've never used a Lumea. If you do decide to get one minnie, let us know how it is. I use a bikini trimmer at the moment and just shave my legs. I am blonde but have those awful looking fuzzy blonde hairs on my lip and chin. I tend to wax them, but I'm not exactly proficient at it and always miss a few. Would love a better way to get rid of them.

I have just done an hour and 13 mins (not that I'm counting or anything) of yoga. It was lovely and relaxing but I did work up a decent sweat and definitely feel more bendy now. I also feel like going back to bed which is the only problem!

Yes jmangel, I'm doing a dvd called 'elements of yoga: air and water' by Tara Lee. I really like it so far. She's very easy to listen to and I enjoy the yoga. The last section is far too hard for me but I'm just carrying on with it (not forcing myself into any weird positions but just doing what I can). I'm hoping after a few weeks I'll be able to manage it. The first two sections are just right for me.

Steviebuns - will check it out - good feeling about it as my DD2 is called Tara - could be a good omen for my future success with yoga!! May rethink when I fall over lots but we'll see.

Sorry, meant to say thanks Steviebuns.

Haha, yes I keep nearly falling over. I think the neighbours must wonder what on earth I'm doing when they overhear me stumbling about and listening to the affirmations at the end of the second section.

That is a good sign! Tara is a gorgeous name btw.

It's £10 on Amazon I think, which is less than the cost of a single yoga class where I live. I think I'm getting more out of it than the last class I did as well.

Oh and you're most welcome!

Ok, I've taken my vitamins (Angus castus, zinc, vitamin d, multi vit and omega 3) for the first time in ages.
Im drinking water (have a 1.5L bottle in the fridge), I've eaten a dark mint kitkat omelette with tomatoes, spinach and goats cheese and salad.

I'm going to break this into phases too.

I'm terrible for starting these things and giving up on them, but I'm so fed up with myself, so lifestyle change has to be the way forward.

Phase 1 - increase energy.

1. Take vitamins.
2. 30g almonds.
3. Eat fish twice a week.
4. Drink 1.5L water.
5. Reduce sugar - no sweets/chocolate.
6. Eat more protein - include 2 eggs a day into diet.
7. Eat every 3/4 hours.
8. No fizzy drinks, even diet ones.
9. 30mins exercise 6 days a week.

10. At least 5 a day.

That's a good list karcheer. I've kind of fallen at the first hurdle by having some not to healthy bits at lunch. I feel ok about it though as it wasn't between meals and also I felt ravenous after yoga (that's my story and I'm sticking to it ). Planning a veggie filled tea for DD, DH and me. Just have to prise myself off the sofa to make it!

"Not so" not "not to"

Re the yoga you tube, I recommend yoga with adrienne, she has some beginner vids and always suggests alterations. She is all about "find what feels good" rather than the position itself.

I've gone from trying to force myself to do yoga, to doing it every day. Love it.

Oh that's a good tip, thanks chipsahoy.

Hi ladies.

Can I join you? Me and DP are having 2 weeks alcohol- free in the lead up to our holiday and are eating more healthily too. Want to make some changes we can maintain after splurging on holiday.

I agree about the diets..went to SW on and off for 2 years and went up and down by about 12 pounds ..and spent about £500!

I recently saw a hypnotherapist specialising in weight loss. One recommendation she had was the Joe Wicks "Lean in 15" book. Full of recipes you can knock together in 15 minutes ..tonight we'd had a warm duck breast salad (had asparagus , tender stem broccoli and some raw veggies like cucumber and spring onion). Would def recommend it. The key for us is planning ahead and doing a weekly online shop so we don't load the trolley with biscuits.

My work has started laying in a Pilates session once a week which I'm enjoying but need to add some more exercise into my life (hardly done any in last 4 years), the wobbly belly and intoned abs need to go. DP has started running but I have a weak ankle so not really an option.

Hopefully we can all encourage each other?

Hi purple! Yes, please join us! It'll be good to have some other booze quitters to keep me on the straight and narrow...

Yes, I've done SW, WW, slim fast and pretty much everything you can think of since having DD. Weirdly, the only time I lost a significant amount of weight, I wasn't even trying. Just working hard and walking a lot. Plus I was a lot younger then!