New Year, new resolution, *new* *thread*: healthy living and positive thinking in 2009

[eemie]

Welcome to 2009 everyone.

This is where we try to support each other to eat healthily, take better care of ourselves and think positively.

It used to be called a 'bootcamp' but it's really more forgiving than that, especially if you're poorly or you've just had a baby.

Everyone is welcome (I would put that in capitals but don't want to shout).

Our suggestions:-

Eat healthily;
Exercise regularly;
Drink plenty of water/other clear fluids;
No alcohol during the week;
Use body lotion/hand cream/extract of donkey testicles regularly;
Get enough rest;
Focus on three (well, at least one) positive achievements, however small, every day and try to post it/them here.

Have I missed any?

Happy new thread, everyone

Well done Feetheart - the rule is 80/20 good/sinful isn't it? And that chocolate is a hussy and will flatter anyone so don't listen to it[hides creme egg]

Omg but that cake sounds gorgeous. I am fighting the urge to make a white chocolate one I saw on the front of the 'Good Food' mag. Actually dh discovered the bar of white chocolate I had bought 'just in case' but I see that he has eaten most of it now .

Well I lost the grand total of 2lbs last week. And actually I am a teensy bit disappointed, truth be told, probably because I think I am asking too much of myself (still need to lose 18 pounds in about 10 weeks to get into that bloody dress - I can't do that [wails - or should that be whales!]).

Good luck this week.

But am feeling reasonably groomed, if not younger and slightly frustrated - I'm sick of wearing the same Trousers of Punishment because the Trousers of Truth will not do up. Hurrumph.

Anyway, positively:

1. Can definitely feel an improvement fitness-wise.
2. I finally managed to do some substantial de-fuzzing this weekend .
3. I am determined to carry on.

Mmmmmm white chocolate cake sounds good. Maybe your DH eating the chocolate was a blessing ATM though I hope you gave him a hard time anyway

I also lost 2lbs last week and was a bit miffed really as I thought I deserved to lose more, especially as compensation for RUNNING. Must admit though that if I had lost much more it might have been an excuse for slacking. If you can lose 2lb a week then you'll be in that dress with time to spare and on the way the Trousers of Truth will slip on easily

Been for another run today (with DS and Lightning McQueen for company/encouragement!!) and am beginning to feel that it may not be a one-week-wonder so I'd better look for some decent trainers - any advice/recommendations would be welcome.

Today's positives:

1. 'Run' went quite well and feel ready for the next stage (ie bit more running/less walking)
2. DS had lovely time at playgroup and I got to chat
3. Had smear test and it was over before I realised it!

Well done both of you. Am not by wayside just not on here much atm.

Still working on healthy eating
No alcohol, tick
Regular exercise, tick
5 portions a day, nearly
Sunscreen, tick
Body lotion sometimes
Enough rest - hard. Going to bed early but waking ridiculously early with various worries and of course night sweats.

To be honest, not feeling much better though am probably physically fitter & have lost weight. Getting frequent sick headaches despite cutting down on caffeine - blaming them on menopause.

Positive thinking - work in progress.
Today:-
Got up and off to work at 6 am
Kept temper in outrageously trying circumstances at work
Drove over 100 miles on motorways and M25 without panic attack (used to have driving phobia)
About to walk to school to pick up dd

Keep it up! All the best

Lovely to see you Eemie - hope you can pop in more at a later date?

Feetheart - I read the same fact twice last week - that regular exercise probably accounts for only 30% of weight loss when combined with healthy eating. But I also feel a sense of injustice, especially if I have had a good session on the treadmill but look in the mirror only to be shocked to see that I haven't morphed into a Paula Radcliffe svelteness (although I would/could never be that slim).

'Proper' runners always recommend going to a specialist running shop to have trainers fitted. I'm not ready for that but often see asics recommended for quality and price and actually got a great pair of quite cheap Nike running shoes from Brantano - good place to try them out without an off-putting shop assistant hovering over you.

I know I won't be able to lose 2lbs a week (am too weak and erratic).

Positives:

1. 10 days without alcohol now (think it's a positive!)

1. Ran slightly further yesterday.

1. Found a black wrap dress in the bottom of my wardrobe which might be resurrectable.

Have a good evening

Eemie - lovely to see you post. Boo to horrible headaches but am very impressed at today's positives, especially the driving one.

Moonshine - at only 30%, should be at least 75%!!! Believe me you don't want to morph into Paula Radcliffe, I've seen her in real life and she is VERY thin, amazing but VERY, VERY thin.
Thanks for shoes tip too, I may go and have a look in Brantano

Quick one tonight as I'm shattered and need to get to bed (so much for 'in bed by 10.30pm'!)
DH was restless last night and DS woke me 5 times so today hasn't been brilliant on the eating sensibly front - a need for something sweet and sugary turned into a butterfly bun-making session with DS, complete with much spoon/bowl licking by both of us I also have the suspicion of a cold so have dosed up on Echinacea and am hoping for the best.

So positives for today:

1. DS and I had to stay in all day to wait for the 'Sky man' to upgrade us to Skyplus HD but it meant we mooched around playing games, baking and watching 'Cars' video rather than do anything more energetic

1. DD unexpectedly went to a friend's for tea so DS, DH and I ditched the menu-plan and had sausage, chips and beans for dinner (DD doesn't like chips or beans!)

1. DH is a very happy techno-bunny with Skyplus and HD to play with, I may not get to be in charge of the remote control for weeks!

So much for quick

Ha ha, I never get into bed before 11:00pm - but once my head hits that pillow (book in hand) I'm off (and book thumps onto the floor).

Sympathies on night wakings - I've resigned myself to the once or twice a night but would feel murderous on any more. Is your ds going through the 'fear' stage?

Actually I can imagine Paula R is exceptionally skinny (annd she's tall, isn't she?) - I aspire more to an old-fashioned fifties/hourglass shape, although don't think my tummy and waist will ever cooperate! I'll settle for a well-proportioned size 12/14 [hopeful].

Did a crap run this morning but at least I have worked out this always happens if I do weights first, so will knock that bit on the head.

Dh has now given up giving up alcohol and, as I am so weak-willed, I will probably end up having a couple of glasses tonight - hope it doesn't derail me too much.

Positives;

1. I am having a proper day off work, so have several hours all to myself (and don't intend to do too much housework [lazy]).

1. Weather is lovely - cold and sunny, my favourite.

1. Managed to do an online shop being delivered today so do not have to shlep to Sainsburys.

And although I am now entering the weekend danger zone I do still feel quite positive and hope my hormones don't derail me next week (nor alcohol this weekend).

Have a good Friday.

Arggghhh, its not fair (wail) OK I wasn't brilliant on the eating front last week but I did 3 runs AND a reasonable amount of walking and I lost no weight AT ALL
Luckily I was very cross about it rather than down-hearted and have vowed to take revenge on the scales Thing is I feel much better for the running, both physically and mentally, but I want more - wail, wail, wail......(descends into 6 year old strop mode!)

Moonshine - how was the w/e?
No parties here for the first time since January! Took chikdren and a friend to see owls and have a go at pond-dipping on Saturday (DH with a firm grip on DS!!) then lazed about on Sunday though I went for a run.

Still getting woken up at night here - 5 times again on Saturday night - but am determined to get to bed by 10.30pm this week.

Positives for the w/e:

1. Were able to take things nice a slow with no deadlines to get anyone anywhere

1. Had big fry-up for Sunday lunch () but I had been for a run first

1. Cold hasn't developed

Another quick one in an attempt to get to bed before 10.30pm (and to stop my usual rambling!)

Been quite a good few days exercise-wise, ran with DS in buggy yesterday and might even get close to saying I enjoyed it, I certainly enjoy the feeling I get afterwards - a combination of endorphins and smugness I think
Really do need to watch myself though as I seem to get huge sugar/carbs cravings later in the day after I've run - gave in to it last night and pigged out on the remains of the weekend's bread and butter pudding This will not help the weigh-in.

Positives for today:

1. Managed to get house looking vaguely respectable, it's amazing the difference hoovering makes!

1. Had friend and 2 of her children round for lunch today. Lots of time for chatting and catching up

1. DS took his first proper steps since breaking his leg over 4 weeks ago. It was almost as exciting as when he did it first time round (at 10 mths ) and he was SO pleased with himself

So much for 10.30pm!!

Hello hello - sorry for slight 'radio' silence but dh has taken the laptop away with him for work and I have been too lazy and tired to get off the sofa and fire up the (crap) pc at the other side of the room (until now) .

Feetheart - you're doing really well on the exercise front - I see it as a weapon to help with mood (agree with smugness feeling!)and fitness, as it does naff all for weight-loss(imho).

That's lovely about ds - he'll be tearing off soon enough again (speaks from bitter experience).

Weekend was crap for food and drink - I am so so cross with myself as was on course to loss a respectable amount but lost one sodding 1lb. And even that has gone back on this week . Drink and cake is evil!

And I am worse than I thought I would be when dh not here food-wise so can't use that as an excuse anymore.

And poor dd seems to be losing her best friend atm and is a bit of a lost soul and I feel her pain so much (speaks again from bitter experience - I could never make friends easily either).

And hardly any exercise to give me my endorphin rush this week (and breathe....).

I shall attempt some positives:

1. It's the end of my (office) working week already (where the hell did the week go??)

1. Bought some jeans that are actually quite comfy (if I ignore the way they cut into my waist at the end of the day).

1. Am still gritting my teeth and determined to carry on with this bootcamping lark.

It's got to work eventaully, hasn't it?

Have a good weekend...

And omg, sorry for mega long post .

Had a lovely w/e - helped out at the local NCT sale on Saturday and had to work really hard this time as it was SO busy.
On Sunday I went for a run in the early morning which was lovely and then we took a picnic and spent the rest of the day at Whipsnade (it's only 20 mins away and we have annual passes) The weather was beautiful, DS walked lots and lots and it was great just being together and outside in the sunshine - very high on happiness
I've also been doing a lot of thinking and have got a bit philosophical - after 6 years of being Mummy (which I love) I think its about time I rediscovered me. The running seems to be helping as its something I am doing for myself that is both a HUGE challenge and a means to an end ie getting me fitter and happier with myself. Even though there doesn't seem to be much weight shifting (not helped by the carbs/sugar fixes I keep craving!) all the other benefits are very positive.

Positives for yesterday:

1. Able to walk to school with NO COAT

1. DS able to run around with the little ones whilst waiting for the big ones to come out of school - his major source of frustration has been to be struck in the pushchair

1. Vast quantities of washing done and dried outside

Moonshine - I only managed to lose 1lb last week and have realised that I really don't have much will-power at all when it comes to food, especially sweet things. I need to do MUCH better on the eating side of bootcamp
Hope your w/e was good and that things are back on track this week - we will endure, it will work, we will be smug and svelte and lovely

How is your DD? Poor wee thing.

Seem to have had a busy day though hadn't planned it!
Had a mum from school and her son round this morning, boys had a lovely time making and trashing train tracks and we had a good chat. Then managed a run with DS in the pushchair, quick lunch, Mums and Tots group, picked up DD from school and visited surrogate grandparents on way home. This evening I've been out to do my landlord bit and pick up the rent from my old flat. Now I need to go to bed!!
Positives:

1. I finished Week 3 of the running programme and haven't struggled too much so far

1. Busy but very sociable day

1. The weather is still lovely

This weather really does make a difference, makes most things seem positive, I love it

Still been rubbish with what I am eating - meals are fine but I'm snacking on biscuits. Damn DH and his need for custard creams, the sooner I've eaten them all the easier it will be to resist!

Positives for today (there are lots but I'll narrow it down!)

1. Lovely walk to school this morning and its SO much more relaxed when it doesn't take 10 minutes to put on coats, hats, scarves and gloves times 3

1. Lunch out with friends and children. Hardly saw DS as there was a soft-play area there. He has been so dependent and clingy recently that its great to see his confidence return

1. That same DS (with his leg still in plaster) scootered nearly all the way home from picking DD up from school today

Did first run of Week 4 of the Couch potato to 5k programme and am still recovering It felt like a big step up and the first run to really test me - I was knackered at the end and things still ache! At least it made me do the sensible thing and get myself fitted for some proper running shoes though I had to order them as apparantly I need a 9 I know my feet are big but I've never been a 9 before.

All of bootcamp, apart from eating sensibly, going well so feeling good and body shape feels like its changing but NOT losing any weight

Positives for past few days:

1. DS back to scootering everywhere

1. Starting to reclaim house from the chaos it descends into periodically

1. Weather still lovely so hope to attempt to reclaim garden from the same

Enjoy the w/e

Think its just me and cyperspace again

Had a good w/e on the happiness front but pretty rubbish on the healthy eating front - yesterday was a big roast dinner, yummy chocolatey/eggy/creamy pudding made by DH and DC AND wine. More pudding tonight as we couldn't eat it all yesterday though we did try!! However we had spent most of the day yomping round Whipsnade again (this time with DS scootering everywhere) so some indulgence was required!

Went for a run this morning which felt quite good. I struggled with the same run on Thursday and suffered for a few days afterwards - feeling stiff and aching and old. Did have a few doubts about the whole thing but faith has been restored today.

Positives for today:

1. Had lovely lunch and chat with a friend and children. Was able to give her a nice 'thank you' gift for going above and beyond the call of duty with our (now ex) cat whilst we were on holiday in November

1. Went into school for an Open Afternoon before Thursday's Parents Evening. Was lovely to have DD show me what she has been doing.

1. Seem to be back to normal on the school runs ie DD and DS hairing off on their scooters leaving me to catch up as best I can. It's a great place to be after the previous 6 weeks.

Oh I'm so sorry Feetheart. I have been pussy-footing around this thread not daring to come on because I have been so crap and feel really bad about myself. But I know that is not the way forward.

I am still doing the right things in respect of going to the gym, moisturising (have even started body-brushing again which always has great results for me). But it seems if I odn't eat paltry portions of salad I immediately seem to put on my hard-earned pounds off, sigh. The trouble is I so desperately wanted to fit into my dress but I will never do that in time now. So I shall have to buy a new one and just try to at least lose some weight so that it is in a size I don't mind being in the future.

Anyway, sorry for being so self-indulgent. I'm glad things are nearly back to normal for you with the dcs - shame the weather hasn't kept apace (hailstones here atm).

Positives:

1. Body-brushing yielding reasonable results.
2. Still not too many spots
3. Only drank one small glass of wine last night as I was so tired I conked out on the sofa.

Gotta go - Sainsbury delivery van here!

Moonshine - don't feel bad about keeping a low profile, its hard enough to be good without feeling you have to confess all.
Sorry you don't think you'll get into your dress this time, hopefully you will find something equally beautiful and have some fun looking.

You may have picked up that I seem to have stopped mentioning eating/weight much! I have completely failed to lose anything since I started to run over 5 weeks ago and remain lurking around 12st. In am attempt to remain positive, and possibly because I'm in denial(), I have decided that I have been concentrating on the running this month and will have a go at sensible eating next month (sadly only 2 days away!) This may not work though as we have our Mum's Sunday Tea outing to the 5* hotel this Sunday (to celebrate one of them joining me in the 40+ brigade) and Easter is looming in all its chocolatey wickedness. I need a plan, or maybe just a miracle

Positives for today:

1. Am on Week 5 of the running programme and ran for 8 mins twice this morning, with a 5 min walk in between. It didn't kill me

1. DH bought a new car at last so I won't have to negotiate the use of 'my' car any more

1. Made jam from rapidly going soft plums and it tasted yummy - this will NOT help with weight loss at all!

Had a lovely day today that I completely spoiled by losing it with the children just before bedtime
I have apologised to both of them and tried to explain that spending all mealtime faffing around with the food and then repeatedly ignoring me when I am trying to get them to get ready for bed makes me VERY cross. I hope the message has got through as I really don't like resorting to throwing a tantrum to get noticed

It didn't help my 'be good in April' campaign either as I had to resort to much chocolate as I was feeling so bad

However all of the rest of the day was lovely. Some positives are:

1. Got some really good quality curtains for my tenants in the local charity shop for £6!! It's a flat in a Victorian house and the windows are huge so I have always made the curtains. However they are currently tired and rather thin Just need 2 more pairs and all the bedrooms will be sorted!

1. Had lovely lunch with whole heap of friends and only had to go next door for it. Mums chatted, children played in the garden in the sunshine

1. Went to the park after school to play on the new adventure trail thingie they built last week - I have never seen so many children in that park at one time and they played fantastically together. Most of the time DD(6) and DS(3) were on a huge see-saw thing with a bunch of teenagers who let them join in and looked after them. All of them were having a brilliant time and I just sat there filled with joy at it all

I'm sure we've all been there Feetheart - I know I certainly have many a time, especially when I have done several nights on the trot of the whole mealtime/bedtime routine alone - I'm sure kids can sense when exactly to 'push' those buttons for maximum effect.

Do you rent out lots of places then? I couldn't cope with thinking about more than one house (don't do a good job with this one).

The warmer weather is partly nice, and partly making me curse that, yet again, I have nothing to wear that fits (story of my life).

I am about 9lbs heavier than you and if I can now lumber on a running machine for 30 mins (sometimes!), I'm sure you'll be doing similar in due course. But no, it hasn't helped with losing weight although, on reflection, it probably does help me control it slightly better (have broken my usual pattern this year of going on a crash diet for 3 months, staying that weight for 5 minutes and then putting on weight at a rate of half a stone a month).

Positives

1. Finally booked somewhere for dd to have a small birthday party and wrote invitations.

1. Am moistuised and extensively defuzzed (note to self - must sort out nails and corned beef legs before they are bared to the world [shudder]).

1. One more day at work this week and the end is in sight of not having to do the same packed lunch every day for 2 weeks for ds.

How are the night wakings btw?

Very quick one tonight as I have a horrible sore throat, very little voice and NEED to go to bed!
Inspite of that it has been a much better day as I haven't even got close to having a tantrum
However I will not mention food

Positives:

1. Managed to get 4 children out of the door and 3 of them to school/pre-school on time this morning - the 4th one is a baby so I got to play with her when all the others were sorted (2 were mine, 2 were a friend's)

1. Helped DS finish his Easter bonnet. We may not make the pre-school 'parade' tomorrow if the fracture clinic takes as long as last time but he is insisting that he will wear it to show the doctors/'x-ray lady'/'plaster man'/etc

1. Made it to PTA meeting inspite of no voice and seemed to have a lot to say for myself

Just looking in to say well done for persevering and hope better weather encourages us all.

Have had best part of two weeks wiped out by repeated headaches - seems to be migraine. On medication now, which is some help. Difficult to exercise & bad for healthy eating as getting at all hungry seems to bring it on.

So, resolutions partially in abeyance - but still doing the sunscreen and trying to think of positives .

Happy Easter

Omg have been hunting for this thread for blimmin ages (note to self, must post more often).

Hello Eemie (waves).Sympathies on the debilitating migraines - is it true that chocolate makes them worse (horror emoticon?). Just a flying visit I presume?

Feetheart - thank the Lord that our school has never asked us to participate in making Easter bonnets - I can do some arts and crafts up to a point but would not relish that....

Well it's been 2 steps forward, 1 step back for me over the past few days. Went to the gym 4 times last week (more than usual), was strict in the week and 'only' drank on bottle of wine over about 10 days, but went to my mums this weekend which always results in a feeding frenzy (and reminds me how I got to be such a 'disordered' eater in the first place ).

Positives:

1. I actually stopped taking my anti-rage/pms pills months ago but it has definitely got better naturally. The start of my period yesterday was a big surprise as I didn't get my usual depression/rage and crop of spots.

1. Only working 2 days this week.

1. Finally did some gardening so simultaneously burnt some calories, played with dcs and started sorting the garden in my usual haphazard fashion.

Am slightly dreading the next few days, what with visitors to cater for + extra wine and food in the house + my weak will.

I did actually try on 'the' dress and actually managed to (just!) do the zip up so have not lost hope completely, but a bad weekend will probably scupper that again....

Sneaking on whilst Dh is in the office playing computer games with the children, probably should be doing ashing up but heyho

Eemie - lovely to see you. Sorry to hear about migraines. Not sure if you want an 'alternative' remedy but my needle-phobic friend swears by acupuncture. Unsurprisingly she had tried everything else over the years but this really worked.

Moonshine - Easter bonnet was not a work of art(unlike some of the others!) as I made DS do most of it(as some of the others very obviously had not) He did get to do the parade though I had to carry him round as he wouldn't put any weight on his newly freed leg.
One week on he is back to near normal though has quite a limp and his leg gets tired quite easily. He is still very pleased at having'snap shoes' again (ie ones that match rather than one ordinary one and a huge one to go over the cast)

Its been about 3 steps back here as I have had a rotten throat, cold and cough for well over a week and haven't run for nearly 10 days. I have really missed it.
Do you think we can go back to serious bootcamp next week (after the mad chocolate fest) as I feel I need a bit of a kick to get going again? How long is it until your 'do'? Can we get there together?

Positives:

1. Had fantastic afternoon tea in 5* hotel last w/e with 5 friends - 3 hours of chat, laughter and cream cakes

1. Did a huge Easter Treasure Hunt for 17 3-6 year olds in the rain yesterday - that's my 'entertaining the masses' duty over for another year!

1. Dh let me stay in bed all morning and lie on the sofa all afternoon as I was feeling rough. Hopefully that will see off the germs now

Happy Easter

Right. Easter is over though there is still plenty of chocolate in the house and I NEED to take myself in hand again!
My coldy/chesty thing has almost gone but I feel sluggish and lumpy. The weather is getting so much better and I want to match it! We also have a LOT going on re DH's job and I need the head space to be positive, think clearly and be able to support him.

Going to have a gentle start back into bootcamp this week - ie MUCH less snacking, a little more care on the lotion and potions front and hopefully fit a gentle run or two in. Then next week when school is back I'm going for serious effort

Positives:

1. Had a fantastic day at Whipsnade yesteraday with a gang of friends - 4 adults and 8 children. We walked for miles, chatted for ages and most of the children played brilliantly all day.

1. Getting the garden under control, just need to do the same with the house!!

1. Feeling keen to get back to taking a little more care of myself though rather daunted that I need to make some permanent changes if its going to be a sustained effort!