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?

[MrsKellyJones]

Thanks, feeling better today. It's like my life is an episode of Eastenders at the moment and I don't like it.

Met a friend for brunch, come and sat down and eaten cake while baby has slept. Now going to clean, put washing up and then do school run, get DS stuff at Mothercare, cook tea etc etc

Baking for Macmillan coffee morning at school next week - luckily they've requested cupcakes rather than a big one, much prefer making them.

Hoping to get out to jog tomorrow, but have done about 3m today on foot with buggy so not too bad.

[FrustratedFrugal]

MrsKJ the cake is beautiful. Let's hope today will be a bit easier for you.

I've been really busy. Lost my phone, had to buy a new one, had dinner with a work guest on Wed, gave a talk after work last night and am meeting with a friend tonight. I'm getting my daily steps but the days feel rushed. Eating okay.

I found time to paint my toenails over the weekend, they were in a state but look much nicer now.

[MrsKellyJones]

Hi Frustrated Goodness, you're up early!

Today so far has been better We've been down to DS's school and had a sibling photo and a photo of me and the 2 of them done (hoping I look OK - did hair and face and laid out nice clothes). Now I'm letting my breakfast go down and getting the house straight and then going to aim to do week 5 run 1 of C25K - 3x 5 minutes.

Going to go down to a nice park..was telling my friend about the one I normally run in that's uneven, hidden dog poop to keep things interesting and nothing really to look at, so don't think that is helping the motivation.

Looking forward to kids having friends round this afternoon and we're going away early tomorrow to do a NT property/gardens, sleeping in hotel and then doing Warwick castle on Sunday. Weather not meant to be great, but can't do anything about that.

Have a good weekend! x

[FrustratedFrugal]

I'm on a different timezone

Feeling pretty good. The past two weeks have been hellishly busy, but I survived. And I've been able to build walking into my daily routine. I am sleeping better, I only need sleeping pills 1-2 times per week and am set on getting rid of them altogether. Not quite sure whether my weight is up or down - I've have had three sizeable restaurant meals in the past few days - but met with a friend last night and we went for a long walk after work (25k steps yesterday). I haven't been totally wine free but haven't exceeded three glasses per week - so that feels good too.

My new phone syncs via Bluetooth with my activity tracker so it is much easier to quickly see how the day is going. I find it motivating and even though I've been busy I've walked pretty much everywhere, to work, to meetings and to run errands. Hoping I'll still be able to do that when the weather turns cold and rainy.

[FrustratedFrugal]

My goal this weekend: to make more granola bars.

[MrsKellyJones]

Hello

We had a long and tiring week and another instalment in the soap that my life is so dealing with a further upset DD (thanks ex-H).

I've already walked just over 2 miles today but debating taking the car this pm as the weather isn't great and everyone is grumpy.

[FrustratedFrugal]

Sorry that you are having a tough time MrsKJ!

I played Pokemon Go with DC yesterday and it was great fun. We live in a city so we have lots of pokestops nearby and the boring shopping trip yesterday was a lot more lively as my six-year-old spotted landmarks and hidden critters. I've been worried that DC don't get enough fresh air but the game makes them want to go out - at least for a while.

It's stress central here too, hectic days without much time for anything extra, but the upside is that someone found my lost cell phone.

No granola bars yet. I measured the ingredients last night but did not have time to bake them.

[MrsKellyJones]

Thanks!

I clearly can't change him (God knows I tried) but I'm struggling with how to deal with it all even so long on from going our seperate ways as it affects DD. Have been contemplating going back to counselling for a while now, so maybe I should.

There's so much to do and so little time! I'm baking for Macmillan at DD's school but luckily I don't work Thurs/Fri so will find time to bake. Just doing simple vanilla cupcakes with a choc buttercream rose swirl piped on.

[FrustratedFrugal]

They sound delicious - I'd love to have some!

Yes your situation sounds very tricky MrsKJ. If you can get couselling, I'm sure it would help - being able to talk things through with someone is an enormous relief. A co-worker is a psychotherapist and quick coffees with her have helped me so much.

Granola bars in the oven! I am making a fancy batch with cocoa nibs for DD and another with cranberries. DH is very keen - apparently they are a great snack for runners. I've managed to make my activity goals but it is going to be a tough week.

[MrsKellyJones]

Well done on getting them baked. Sound good too.

I saw someone privately years ago around our break up so may look her up and see if she's still around. It's justifying the fee!

DD's just got into Minecraft, so maybe I will need to rethink her birthday cake idea thankfully we've avoided Pokemon so far.

I'm planning an early night. Sleep well Frustrated - you've done so well to wean yourself off the tablets.

[FrustratedFrugal]

Thanks for your kind words MrsKJ! Hope you slept well and that there will be less drama!

My sleep is improving. Normally when I'm stressed I use sleeping pills nearly every night, but now I've fallen asleep naturally and have only occasionally needed half a pill if I have woken up in the early hours.

Today I have not met my exercise goal. I stayed at work late and took a bus home - I think it's the first time this month! It's rainy and cold and miserable and I just wanted to get home quickly.

This week is full of tough deadlines. It's maybe the most stressful week this year, although there are a couple of really tough ones in mid-October as well. But I've made good progress and have been able to reach out for help. And to my surprise people have helped me in unexpected and wonderful ways. I really think I am onto something, allowing myself to be vulnerable. (In the past I would have just suppressed all negative emotions.)

[MrsKellyJones]

Our Internet has died (external problem) and they're saying it won't be fixed till next week!

Today I haven't eaten anything that doesn't contain chocolate apart from fat coke it's been a hard one!

[FrustratedFrugal]

Chocolate is my drug of choice too
Hoping tomorrow will be a bit less hellish for you!

I helped DD2 with her homework, walked for 30 mins in the rain (just until I barely hit 10000 steps) and then had a cup of hot sake and watched a reality show. Feeling much better.

[MrsKellyJones]

Thanks, I hope so too. Locked myself out of my online banking as the cherry on top of the rubbish day! Going to bed now!

Glad you got out for a walk x

[MrsKellyJones]

Hope everyone is ok? Better start today. Had a hot choc and a mushroom and cheese croissant and a lovely chat with a good friend.

Made cakes for Macmillan, a quick scoot round with the hoover etc.

Off for school run, swimming lessons etc and tea, homework bed time routines.

Take care!

[MrsKellyJones]

Hi

Where are you all??? I'm wondering if it means you've all been stuffing your faces with cake or so busy exercising and drinking green smoothies that you've not had time to post.

I've been walking lots but food has been quite appalling really.

Having a long overdue haircut tomorrow and have laid out a nice outfit as DD's school has parents afternoon thing is it just me who's mad like that???

[FrustratedFrugal]

Hi all! I'm just back from Greece. Went there for work but it was really relaxing. We worked quite a bit but because we started working on Sunday, I could take two half days off: I had enough free time for for two 10 km hikes, a visit to a local historic site, and long beach walks every evening.

Ate a ton every day... But because it was amazing fresh vegetarian food, I didn't gain any weight. Also had some chocolate and quite a few aperitifs plus two glasses of wine every night.

During the trip, I felt I really had time to de-stress. Simple daily routines, fresh food, lots of sleep and lots of time spent outdoors recharged both the body and the mind. I wish I could keep doing these things at home as well...

[MrsKellyJones]

hi

Sounds amazing!

[MrsKellyJones]

Anyone around?

Still walking miles and managed C25K on Sunday but having a painful back this week. Have gone down the route of keeping active, doing pilates and this mornig a yoga session for it too but not massively better.

Still walking miles but food has gone down the pan as everyone full of cold and sleeping badly = sugar!

[FrustratedFrugal]

MrsKJ I'm still here - your walking and yoga and pilates sound great.

I've had a stressful week, lots of deadlines and I spent a day on work trip to Copenhagen and the 5am to 12 pm day was way too long. I've walked 10000+ steps on every weekday except yesterday. The weekends are really challenging: when the days are dark/wet/windy, it's very tempting to stay indoors.

Next week, I'll have just one day of work: we'll travel with DC for a few days, and after that I'll face the toughest week all year.

[FrustratedFrugal]

Oh and hoping that your back heals soon!

[MrsKellyJones]

Hi

That sounds really busy! Is it half term for you next week? We've one to go!

[FrustratedFrugal]

Yep, half-term here starting tomorrow! I've a full workday tomorrow, and it's going to be a tough one, but I managed to de-stress today - 23.5k steps or over 17 km! Super pretty fall foliage, bright skies and some sunshine. My feet felt weightless, I could have continued for much longer.

I was reading the paper and turns out Simone de Beauvoir was a hiker as well. Who knew?

I've decided to combat winter blues by walking whenever I can, but will not be forcing it - I did nothing at all yesterday and really needed a good rest. So when I'm too tired, I'll stay indoors and soothe myself with tea and candlelight

[MrsKellyJones]

Well I'm stuck home with 3 under 5 (one of which poorly DS) so not quite the day we had planned. Constitutes about 0 steps walked today and same tomorrow/Wednesday as he'll need some recovery time.

Enjoy the walking and the half term where you can! We're having a Halloween party on Sunday as a bit of fun with some friends.

[KikiNeedsABroom]

Anybody here? MrsJones with a NC. I've completely fell off the wagon!