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?

Yes, enjoy stevie!
I used to live Edinburgh too - been 13 years since I was there last. Another thing to sort out - miss it!
Very envious!

The Fringe will be good, we'll be waiting for your report!

I managed to make my neck blotchy today - I put something on it last night that I knew might have that effect, but thought I could lessen it by applying another product underneath. Will I never learn! Nothing too serious, just cleansed well this morning and applied stuff I knew wouldn't set it off again. My skin is a bit sensitive anyway but my neck has got so much worse with age!

Hope you're not too blotchy this morning Cotswold

I need to go and jog but feeling really flat this morning. DH back to work tomorrow and seem to be down with back to work-itits and the weather doesn't look great either.

Off for breakfast and then to get ready and do it. Endorphins will help right???

Unconscious hope the weather improves! And sometimes it is fine to listen to your body and take it easy!

I did just that yesterday, running a couple of errands and vegging on the sofa finishing a good novel. It was sunny after a week of stormy days, and in the early evening I felt like going out, and when I got started, it felt so good that I just kept going, except for a brief stop to eat a doughnut. My first 30000+ step day!

Stevie enjoy The Fronge! Sounds great!
Cotswolds it's awful when cosmetics irritate. Hope it heals quickly. Your self-care vibe sounds great.

Fronge

Right. Today is day 1 no booze. After almost 3 weeks of booze every day (not much- maybe a large glass of wine) I'm feeling awful.
We had friends round last night I had 3 wines.
So today - lots of water. And soft drinks until October.

I've been keeping up my skincare routine. So my skin is looking good.

I weighed myself yesterday. It's not horrific but I have gained weight. I'm fairly slim but carry it around my tummy. So need to do more exercise. This will help me with the sluggishness.

Might drag Dh out for a walk later.

Oh no cotswold! Hope it's dying down a bit now. My sister takes piriton(sp?) for skin reactions. Maybe worth a go if it's still bad.

Just waiting to travel up to Edinburgh for Fringe / Fronge . Hoping we will do plenty of walking and be focused on shows rather than wining and dining... Shall see.

Funny you lived in Edinburgh too green! We would have just missed you I think as we lived there from mid-late noughties.

Hope everyone has good days!

Good luck with jog unconscious. I have brought no sportswear with me so no danger of a jog for the next couple of days.

Here are some tips how to make daily exercise easier.
I'm still new to this so apologies if things that I list are self evident

Rethink your commute. Walk, bike or run a part of it if you can. I felt really unfit a year ago. I started out by walking less than half of my daily commute (about 1 mile). No I walk the full length every workday. This means that even if I am too busy for anything else, I get some exercise. When I worked from home, I scheduled time for exercise every day.
Use an activity tracker. I find it really motivates me.
Get proper shoes. I upgraded my shoes, matching them to local terrain and weather. I tried lots and lots instore until I found ones that felt right - and can walk for much longer without blisters and pain.
Music, podcasts or audiobooks make exercise a lot less boring.
Get weatherproof gear. A light packable raincoat that I can always keep with me in a lightweight backpack has been a game changer. If it rains hard, light packable weatherproof trousers that I can slip over whatever I am wearing are fabulous too.
Find someone who shares your goals. I have two friends who sometimes walk with me, and we are planning walking holidays together. DH's running training schedule also motivates me.
Get a map. I felt really bored covering the same distance day in, day out. Then I got a map of local bike and hiking routes. I've found lots of great new places nearby. I also mark the routes I have covered on the map with a yellow marker. Seeing more and more yellow on the map motivates me.
Reading can also motivate. DH loves Haruki Murakami on running and Runner's World, I've enjoyed books on long walks and bike tours. 'Wild' by Cheryl Strayed for example, and Bill Bryson's 'Notes From a Small Island' also has a few chapters on walking. I also love books on Camino de Santiago.
Set a goal. Mine is a walking holiday - still trying to decide where

I'm going to be doing the school run on foot from September so 3 miles a day! 3 of those with a double pushchair

Did week 3 run 1 and it was fine! Whoohoo

That's brilliant unconscious! Good luck with it.

Thanks for the tips frustrated. I'm an exercise novice too although I do have to walk a fair amount out of necessity, because I can't drive. The one bonus of that is that I do get a little bit of exercise every time we pop out to the shops, park, go swimming etc. Downside is we end up going to a lot of the same places.

Having lots of fun at the festival, though I'd forgotten how busy it gets here at this time of year! MIL and DD are having fun at home too i think. MIL certainly says she's enjoying it and that DD hasn't really missed us .

Would also love to do some 'proper' walking though and maybe go on a walking holiday (some day - planning my next holiday from my hotel...). Let us know when you choose a location for yours frustrated!

Stevie your trip sounds fab - enjoy!

Unconscious your plans sound great! I shed my pregnancy weight pushing a double stroller. But some of it has crept back - I work FT and have less time to be active. I'm going to follow your example, I'm used to walking 2.5 miles to work every morning but a new goal is to walk back home at least once a week. I find this challenging because I have a convenient direct bus line going back and tend to feel knackered around 5 and 6 pm, but perhaps I can gradually change my ways!

My activity tracker shows that my weekly total activity has increased by a couple of hours each week this month and that on a weekly basis I burn about 3000 kcal more per week. The challenge is to maintain this when the weather turns colder and there is less daylight...

Yes, missed me stevie - I lived there in the early - mid nineties and visited last in late 2002. A visit is long overdue!

I didn't have any alcohol last night and intend to do this same tonight.
I'm off for a couple of days in a spa hotel with a couple of friends tomorrow, so will drink modestly then. I feel ready to tackle the diet and exercise regime when I get back. I really want to have something in place in time for the new academic year (teacher).

I've done quite a lot more decluttering/cleaning/organising and it seems to be making me feel less overwhelmed in tackling all the other things I my life I want to sort out too...long may this continue!

GreenHen great that you were able to resist wine!

I walked home. I realized I have never done it before (although I have had this job for almost a year now!). Eating a granola bar helped, I am usually very hungry when I return home and will wolf down anything. A fruit might be a good snack too and I should really increase my fruit & veg intake. Another option could be a yogurt or smoothie.

Day two no booze. Done!

Walked 7km today.

Healthy snacks. Loads of water

Well done on resisting the green and emem! And well done on the walking frustrated.

Today is the last day of our trip though really looking forward to seeing DD later .

I've not been terribly healthy while here, but it was a special occasion. Will be having no alcohol for a while and trying to do more walking and yoga. Also, will try to up my fruit, veg and water intake.

Hello all

I had booze and chocolate last night and an ice cream today! And I reckon it is way too hot for a jog of any sort... and the oven broke so meals haven't gone to plan.

I'm hoping it will all come together on the 5th of September.

Well done for all the good work in walking, decluttering and self care. Stevie you have done one of the most important things you can these 2 days - time for your marriage which is something we neglect so easily in the hustle and bustle of day to day life.

Unconscious I had some chocolate too last night - MIL sent us a gift that I couldn't resist.

I walked home from work via an outdoor store. My feet swell up a bit on longer walks (+1/2 size) so I tried on lots of hiking boots and finally found a pair that feels both supportive and roomy. Bought them, and today's total step count is 13+ km!

Em well done staying booze free!

New shoes - it is Style and Beauty after all!

Difficult today. We bbq'd on the beach for dinner. Dh brought Icey cold beers.

I had lovely berry water. not even a little bit the same

Morning everyone!

I've had some pineapple an about to go off for a day out wrangling 4 smalls so expecting to burn every single fat cell in this heat

Check in later

Oh emem I'm so impressed you resisted the cold beers at the BBQ! I haven't been great with diet or exercise today, though did go for a decent walk round town with DD. She was up sooooo early and is refusing to nap so we're a bit all over the place!

Good luck with walk unconscious. It is hot where we are today. If DD ever goes to sleep this afternoon I will do some yoga or have a nap.

I tested the new hiking boots this morning. DH thinks that my leisurely stroll through some parks and across the hospital parking lot does not require high-tech hiking gear.

He wears a hydration belt to work