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?

[SteviebunsBottrittrundle]

Thanks unconscious. I feel ok today though my throat is still being a pain. DH now has it too and was up in the night all shivery and feverish. He's off work today but actually seems better than he was in the night. Just keeping everything crossed that we're all feeling well enough for the weekend!

[FrustratedFrugal]

Stevie' - hope you'll get better quickly!

Unconscious don't worry - you can repeat week 2 if week 3 feels too bad. I was deeply unfit a couple of years ago and still not exactly an athlete. But I have discovered that I have to do something to stay reasonably healthy. Over the summer read a couple of travel books written by ordinary people with desk jobs who've made long journeys on foot or by bike. And I realized I would really enjoy something like that too.

If the weather allows, I am going to go on my first ever overnight hiking trip tomorrow! I am aiming to walk 20-25km over the next two days.

[FrustratedFrugal]

Unconscious sorry about overlooking your question earlier, here is the granola bars recipe I've used for years. They are 200-300 kcal each.

[GreenHen]

Had an extended family meal out last night - I didn't overindulge and I drove so no booze (which is very good for me!). I downloaded the drinkaware app a few weeks ago and I think I have completed the baseline assessment now (not good!) - definitely time to seriously cut-down, even if I am still 'on holiday'.

I am going to set myself the challenge of going swimming this evening rather than G&T ing...

I desperately need to get on top of the housework today - I consider that exercise in this heat!

Managed to prize a few 'important treasures' away from my DS yesterday unconscious - not nearly enough (he is 12 and these were mainly early reader books so we are working about 6 years behind here...). His room needs a complete overhaul but I just cannot face moving all that excess stuff and furniture out to put it all back in again...carpet is beyond disgusting though! The room is a good size, 5 m x 3 m, but not big enough to kit if out with all the stuff he wants now whilst also accommodating a massive cuddly toy collection amongst other things...so there is another stumbling block!

Hope you and your husband feel better soon Stevie

[UnconsciousCoupling]

Thanks for the recipe and have a lovely walk. I'm doing as much as I can and building up from there.

I fell off the wagon today food wise, but I survived 3 under 5 and this afternoon we had visitors including another 3 year old and a new born Taking it as a win.

Have all the good stuff back in the house after a food delivery but we're off to a theme park tomorrow so imagine ice cream will be consumed. Sure I will walk it off!

[UnconsciousCoupling]

PS I think children are little hoarders as DD is the same

[Ememem84]

Whilst on holiday I have kept up my skincare routine. And that's about it. I have gorged on carbs (pizza pasta rissotto etc) and gelato biscotti cannoli and have had numerous wines proseccos and beers.

As of Sunday (because I've got a drink planned with a friend on Friday and people round ours Saturday) I'm booze free until my birthday (early October).

I will gym. I will eat healthily.

[UnconsciousCoupling]

Welcome back Ememem I think cutting out the calories consumed in drinks really helps. (I rarely drink alcohol but have a very unhealthy love for hot chocolates and full fat coke)

Hope both you and DH are feeling better Stevie - do you know where you're going or is it a surprise?

[SteviebunsBottrittrundle]

Hi all! It sounds like everybody's doing brilliantly. I agree re alcohol. I did dry January and ate like a horse but kept getting told how much slimmer I looked at the end of it. I don't know how much I actually lost but got lots of compliments.

We're much better thanks. DH is back at work, DD doesnt seem to have really been effected by it except for having a mild cough which she always seems to atm (I've got another thread about that), and I had an epic sleep last night (went to bed at 8:30), which I think has helped a lot.

I don't know where we are going at the weekend! It's a surprise . He's organised it all and HR his mum to come up to watch DD which is wonderful. I'm excited, but also a teeny bit concerned that I don't know where we are going and also re leaving DD though I know she will be in very capable hands. For a start I'm at what clothes I need to wash. So far all that DH will give away is that I do not need a sports bra - I wheedled that out of him when he was sick in bed (mwahaha).

Yesterday was a good day diet-wise but no exercise except a bit of walking with DD. I'm using the bastard summer cold as an excuse for that! Plan to do a jog and some yoga today. No booze obviously as I don't feel like it at all.

[UnconsciousCoupling]

I've walked up and down the dreaded hilly theme park so feel like I earned my ice cream.

I wouldn't cope with a surprise like that. It's only men who go with jeans and T-shirt whatever the occasion who would think that's a good idea

I wouldn't be too confident about leaving DS with MIL (or DM) for a weekend either. How old is DD?

Rain forecast for tomorrow so think I need to get out tonight for a jog.

[SteviebunsBottrittrundle]

Well done unconscious! Definitely deserved your treat.

The surprise location is a bit terrifying really! Have no idea where we're going, though I'm positive it will be within the UK as we did a trip to Italy recently and were happily saying how we were glad we wouldn't have to do passport control again for a long while. So surely not abroad..? But then who knows? It is quite exciting though and I can suck it up if I have the wrong clothes really but still. He's planning to tell me where we're going on Saturday and we then travel on Sunday. Apparently this is plenty of time to wash and dry anything I might need .

DD is 20mo. Thankfully, DH was sensible enough to ask me well in advance about leaving her with his mum for two nights, so that part wasn't a surprise. It's the first time we'll have left her overnight with anyone else. I went abroad last year for a long weekend with friends and DH looked after her, but this will be the first time neither of us are around overnight, so yes, it's fair to say I am a bit anxious! It's for two nights as well . MIL is great with her though, and looks after SIL's DCs overnight all the time, so she is definitely capable. Also, I keep saying how much I would like her to see more of PILs as they are so involved with their other GC, so have to put my money where my mouth is! My mum sadly isn't around so she only has the one granny.

[UnconsciousCoupling]

Aaaaw, I'm sure it'll all be fine.

Sorry about your mum too. My mum is not close geographically but at least I can text and phone. Must be hard without

I went and did 9 minutes of jogging and 30 of walking in total. I was a bit scared of the next run which involves 2x 3 minutes jogging so I had a go and it wasn't easy but the world didn't end either so quietly optimistic about Sunday.

[SteviebunsBottrittrundle]

Thanks unconscious .

My dad's pretty great, though he's far away geographically. I do miss my mum being on the other end of the phone to help with random parenting questions, but it's ok. She died before we'd even started ttc our DD so I didn't expect her to be around iyswim. My MIL is really great too.

Will let you know when I find out where we're going! Eeeep!

[FrustratedFrugal]

Unconscious great progress - way to go!
Ememem at your carbfest...
GreenHen the room scenario sounds familiar I've postponed sorting it out until next summer...

I'm back from my hike: 10k yesterday and 17k today with a 7kg backpack. It was amazing, some rain but not too bad. Lush mossy forests, heather in bloom, remote beaches. I ate some wet blueberries today with my snack - probably the most delicious meal I've had in weeks. I spent the night at a field station with a bunch of marine biologists - fascinating. Physically exhausted but feeling calm. This is definitely my thing.

[UnconsciousCoupling]

That sounds like an amazing way to spend a few days Frustrated I really don't even do camping but nevermind

[Ememem84]

Home and got up early and went to the gym. Only 45 minutes but it was something. Have drink about 1.5l of water so far today. And had scrambled eggs for breakfast.

No carbs today.

Am out for a couple of drinks and dinner with a friend later. It will be an early one. I'm exhausted.

[UnconsciousCoupling]

Well done. Better than nothing! Well done.

I've also tried to drink water.

I'm not eating less but I'm certainly eating better... things like eggs, jackets and salad or salad, granola, yogurt and berries. I'm really not that fond of fish but dH likes it so tonight we are having salmon with ginger and sweet chilli sauce.

Have a good weekend all!

[UnconsciousCoupling]

Ha ha, I'm obviously very impressed hence double congratulations not at all because I'm being distracted with a small child climbing over me

[GreenHen]

Sound lovely frustrated - bet you are sleeping well!

I've spend most of the day cleaning and decluttering (largely focused on DS's room so significant progress made there) and feel much better for that.

I faced the scales this morning - it isn't good news but I wasn't expecting it to be. Think I am a week away from thinking seriously about starting to lose some weight though.

DS want to make macaroons now - I want to carry on cleaning/decluttering but I guess I had better do something fun with him today!

[UnconsciousCoupling]

I have just chucked out a pile of clothes that I never wear. Things in the wardrobe like 4 similar black dresses - choosing one and getting rid of the rest. Quite liberating.

We bake frequently - probably why I'm so lardy to start with!

[CotswoldStrife]

Can't believe I haven't posted all week can I blame the summer holidays? I can't wait to hear where you are going, Stevie.

Concentrating on the self-care this week, and doing some stretches in the morning which has really helped. Also been wearing more make-up. Got a bit of decluttering done (and actually got the bits out of the house, a novelty there!) Not a bad week overall and something to build on.

[UnconsciousCoupling]

Waves Cotswold I'm finding the decluttering quite therapeutic.

Morning stretches are good. I'm waking up quite stiff at the moment - might go do some now!

[FrustratedFrugal]

Unconscious well done decluttering.

I'm feeling a bit listless. Busy days, barely had time for 10000 steps yesterday and not sure I can reach even that today - slept too little after a night visiting friends. I've lost 3 kg since I started.

[SteviebunsBottrittrundle]

Finally know where we are going! To the Edinburgh Fringe festival. Should be good though we used to live there and went every year, so not entirely sure why it was such a big secret !

[UnconsciousCoupling]

Well done Frustrated I'm sure your weekly average is nothing to worry about!

Ah, that sounds exciting Stevie enjoy it!

We've done a bit more sorting but just feeling sitting down doing nothing to be honest.