(Not so) New Mums: Hand holding while we work on new bodies.

[Greenrabbit]

I filled the last thread, so here is the new one!

[Racheyg]

Evening all,

sol and green I too have a label maker brought by oh and ds's

green I'm sorry you are feeling down. Maybe just eat health and track everything on mfp? I can see the exante and such diets are truly miserable. Wow 10,000 steps is amazing. Your presents sound amazing

I took your advise and have enjoyed these last few days before my holiday then I will put my head down

beyond your birthday sounds fantastic, I'm glad you had a good time.

I read jk 's Harry Potter books but haven't read anything else by her are they any good?

Don't be so hard on yourself, I don't know many people that look good sitting down.

sol can I request a tummy tuck instead of lipo. I can do an amazing sad face how is the shread going? Is dh still doing it with you?

miffy Iwell done on the swimming. Im sure you earnt the cake


weight before my all inclusive blow out 10st 4lbs.

[Greenrabbit]

I'm in for the crowdfunding. I look like a real misery. Maybe we can get group discount too?

I'm happy that you took my advice Rachey. I think I'll follow yours too, much more sensible. Have a great holiday!

I got some sewing books Beyond (I'll start sewing one day!) I also got the new Madeline Shaw and Deliciously Ella. They seem really good, I've got lots of recipes earmarked. I usually buy fiction books just for my Kindle, I'll have a look at your recommendations.

Well done on the swimming Miffy.

[Greenrabbit]

How are you feeling now Sol? I'm slightly more cheerful, but feel enormous.

I wish the weather would be consistent. It was freezing here today.

I've seen those scales Beyond. Are you sure that it's wise? Is it the Fitbit ones you are looking at? It might spur you on (or be depressing?)

Maybe when we all get group therapy we can get lip fillers? It seems to be the 'in thing' at the moment (my area is probably 5 years behind, it looks dreadful)

Did you get your tops Sol?

DH is determined to go abroad next weekend. I'm panicking (over everything)

[BeyondTheSea]

rachey 10 stone 4 is amazing! I bet you look amazing too. Enjoy your holiday if you don't manage to post before you go. Have a fab time and looking forward to hearing about it.

Green you are right, the scales are very unwise, I won't buy! I'd like to make DD a quilt, but not sure where I'll find the time, I have got some material and a quilting book, which is a start at least. What are you thinking of sewing?
The JK rowling detective books are written under the name Robert Galbraith, I think they are fab, really recommend. The paper magician was a new style of book for me, but I also enjoyed it and have purchased the next one in the series. I like detective/mystery/thriller type books but they can't be too gory.

Well done on the swim miffy Hope your cake was nice.

Hows things Sol ? Hope you feel brighter x

I am sat on the sofa, drinking prosecco and eating crisps and hummus. Steak pie and veg in the oven and profiteroles for pudding. I will never be thin.

Could we have a chat about homes/areas? I have had an ongoing battle in my head for the past few years about moving or not. We have got a nice house in an average area and a small mortgage. Would you move to a nicer area which would mean larger mortgage = less money for nice things like holidays and probably a smaller house? I like the house we are in. but I would like a bigger garden. Our road is also nice, quiet and we have nice neighbours, we also have just fields in front which is lovely. But a few roads back, it's a bit rough. The school DS attends is great, a mix of people like everywhere (I did witness an awful mother hitting and feeling at her child on Friday :( But I would say this is not usual.

I think we will need to move in 4-5 years time for secondary schools but wondering if we should make the move sooner so we aren't outpriced iyswim.

Hope everyone is having lovely weekends.

[Greenrabbit]

Your dinner sounds nice Beyond. We've had steak. I've got wine now, I'll also never be remotely thin.

I want to start making clothes, and just being more handy at repairing things. I'd like to make a quilt. I don't seem to have any room for the machine or much time without children getting in the way. I like reading the books in the meantime.

The house thing is interesting. Are the local secondary schools poor?
Your house /street situation sounds nice. I think that there is a lot of value having good neighbours in a quiet area.
I know how you feel about the school mother. This week I've heard some parents swearing outside of school and one screaming and swearing at a child.

Did you have an area in mind to move to? I suppose the best thing would be to visit during different times of the day to see what parking situations etc are like. Check if the local schools have vacancies?
Would you cope with less space in your house?
Is it worth having a bigger garden if you were surrounded by more neighbours? We were very overlooked in our last house and found some of the neighbours overbearing. DH hated going out to garden or clean the car as they'd want to talk and give advice. (Or that might have been the excuse he made to not mow the lawn)
But if you love a new area and it feels right it might be worth downsizing slightly. Especially if you feel like the quality of everyday life is generally better.

It's a difficult choice to make. My waffling on is probably of no help at all.

[Greenrabbit]

Oh and we booked a holiday. For next Sunday, how do I look less fat by then, my stomach is huge at the moment. (Actually I know the answer to this question- eat less and move more)

I ordered loads of emergency holiday clothes last night and they came today. They all fit, hurray! Plus it solves the 'nothing to wear when the weather warms up' crisis.
I need to go emergency swimming costume shopping tomorrow. Luckily we have booked a villa with a private pool so I don't need to worry too much, although we will be going to the beach too.

Although I was putting off going anywhere I'm pleased that it's booked now. Then I might feel suitably motivated to diet properly again when I get home.

[Miffyandme]

Green, holiday sounds lovely. I bet just being away and having new clothes will help you feel better about yourself.

I had my first run for ages over the weekend. But I weighed myself beforehand. Too much. I really want to feel better about my figure before I go back to work.

I have many jobs to do today, presently sat on sofa watching breakfast news about a man who decided to live like a goat....wtf??

[SolitudeSometimesIs]

HI all,

Your holiday sounds fab Green, I will join you in a very strict week of Exante if you fancy it? I'm terribly bloated and could use the break from my crappy diet of chips and guac. You must be delighted that you have a new wardrobe of summer clothes, is where you are going hot? There are some lovely swimsuits in the shops, I think one pieces look great now, lots of lovely colours as opposed to a few years ago when they were very athletic looking and that was it. Don't forget to book yourself in for a wax! I forgot one year and I had to get one done in Spain, it was...interesting...The language barrier meant lots of gesturing and a very bald bikini line at the end of it

Your house problem sounds like a bit of a dilemma Beyond. Is there any way you could convert your attic to give you some more space so you can stay where you are? We are dipping our toe in to the housing market and our policy is "wrong house, right area". I would rather have a smaller house somewhere that I felt happy, than a perfect house in a crappy area or somewhere that involved a huge commute. The school system here is quite different than England as you can pretty much send your kid to any school you want so I don't really understand the moving so you have access to a good school. Is your local secondary school crap?

I like to look at property websites in the evening, could you do that and decide on the perfect area for you and watch for available properties, it might take years to find the right one, but if you have the time now it would take the pressure off. To me, holidays aren't a necessity so I would be willing to cut back on them, providing a good home/school for us all would be a priority. How small is your garden? Is there anyway you could re-design it to maximise space? We have recently removed tons of enormous bedding areas that were a waste of space and put down new lawn, we also removed a rockery and put lawn down, even though it's only a few feet of space the garden feels huge. We need a MN diagram of your garden and house

I got a few new tops for Summer, just long shirts that I can wear to work and not be too hot in. I'm afraid to buy too much as the weather is very changeable and I don't want to freeze myself solid if the weather turns crap. We are off on holiday in June and I have a M&S voucher that I have been saving for a pre-holiday shop, I need a swimsuit too so I think I will go alone one morning and try a load on. I have lots of sarongs so I can hide my cellulite with them. Holidays with kids are so different to my pre-children ones - I'm not even considering a bikini as I don't think I will have a second to lay out, I'll be too busy charging around after the kids. I need a sturdy swimsuit that won't leave me a wedgie or let one of boobs fly out when the kids are swinging out of me. So glam .

[Greenrabbit]

Thanks Miffy. I think you're really displined with all the exercise. How long till you go back to work?
I also have lots to do today. But I'm drinking coffee and messing about on here! I will have to check out that goat story too.

I've already ate breakfast Sol and took stuff out of the freezer. I'm not going to stress too much. Just try to avoid junk and alcohol this week. I might try Exante when I get back. I think I need to commit a full month to it really.

We are going to Lanzarote, I've never been. It was DH's choice in the end (so I can blame him if it's rubbish!).
We did a mad dash round the shops yesterday and a managed to find a swimsuit in Asda. It's tummy control, but a 1950's style. There wasn't much in stock above a 14 (all the fat people must live in my town). I've ordered it in another colour too, so that's sorted. Plus I don't think my boobs will escape. I forgot about hair removal. I better sort that out.
M&S had some nice swimwear on their website. If I'd had more time I would have gone to look.

I better go and sort washing out.

[BeyondTheSea]

Exciting to have a holiday booked Green Pleased your new clothes fit. I ended up getting a really good (no chance of boob popping out) swimsuit in Sainsburys for around £10. Your swimsuit for Asda sounds really good. I always think it's not worth spending much as the chlorine ruins them. Are you going for a week?

Well done on your run miffy How long did you manage to run for?

Where are you going in June Sol ? Will it be hot? Lovely to have an M and S voucher to spend. They often have 20% off weekends on bank holidays too (can order online), So maybe check next weekend? I amazed at your communication skills to attempt to explain a bikini wax . Sarongs are good, I also got a beach dress which I used loads as a cover up walking to and from pool etc
A bit like this but T shirt material
www.next.co.uk/x572198s3#847871
I can't them on the website but they had loads in store, it think it was £15

Thanks for all the house advice.
The primary school here is really good, the secondary is ok but I feel a bit dubious about it although it's got a new head and so sometimes that makes a real difference. We've also got an option of a grammar (but that feels like a lot of pressure maybe to put him under) but theres a really nice school about 4 miles away. We'd consider living there but I wonder if I'd find a village to claustrophobic. It's very private here and people are friendly but keep themselves to themselves which we really like (anti social!).
Our house is big enough, we are going to take the shed down in the garden and so that will make more room and we've done loads of planting and so I think that will help. I'll see if I can link to a house like ours for layout perspective! I think you may be right though Sol and we are in the right house, but slightly wrong area. I do keep having a browse on right move, I think we might need to make this a project and look further into schools/areas. Great as I have loads of free time - not!

Ok this is similar but we don't have a study or lounge on the ground floor (there a garage instead) and it just a kitchen/diner, utility and bathroom on that floor. The rest is pretty much the same.

www.taylorwimpey.co.uk/find-your-home/england/buckinghamshire/buckingham/clarence-park/the-stanton

[BeyondTheSea]

But only 1 bathroom on the 1st floor and theres a study there instead of the 2nd.

This isn't where we live..... I didn't want to post our actual house in case anyone other than us reads the thread and I out myself!

[Greenrabbit]

That's a lovely style of house Beyond.

Sometimes a new headteacher can turn a school around quickly.

As a teacher I think parental support contributes a lot towards a child's success. The school I worked in was always satisfactory. But the children who had parents who helped then generally did well.

I think it's wise to keep a watch on the areas you like the idea of living in. you might be able to get a bargain property and make your own mark. Plus you can see what the neighbours have done in terms of extending.

Sainsburys didn't have much left in my size, they had some really nice things online. I've bought another of the Asda swimsuits in a different colour. Asda have much quicker delivery for online shopping!

We are on holiday for a week. I've execepted that I will be fat and I will deal with it in June and July.

[Greenrabbit]

Or move up North, you'll get a great house in a great area for 450k. (Not helpful, but we can meet up to drink prosecco )

[SolitudeSometimesIs]

Hey Hey Hey! There will be no meeting up for boozy fun without me!

Probably a stupid question, but can you not just let him get the bus/drive him to the school 4 miles away? Or do you have to live nearby? I have been on our property websites over here, smaller houses and ok gardens are the way forward for us.

[SolitudeSometimesIs]

As for dieting? It's shot to shit!!!

[SolitudeSometimesIs]

So, the dieting hasn't been going great. I haven't stepped on the scales as I don't want to make myself feel any worse. My friend has lent me a copy of the Insanity workout dvd's so I'm going to start on them next week, I need to do something. I haven't any motivation but feel crap being so big, it's like a vicious cycle.

Work has been very busy as some members of staff have gone on holidays so I'm running around a lot but eating crap. I had a bag of chips and a glass of wine for dinner last night . I'd planned to work out but DH brought home chips and I had no will power. An exercise class for Mum's has started up in our local community centre, you can bring your kids and there's a play area set up for them, I'm thinking I might go once I get paid and see if DS2 likes it.

Do you think I will see any changes if I work out and try desperately to change my eating habits? Have you noticed any changes since starting your running Beyond?

Sorry for the epically self-indulgent post, I just needed to get it all out. Poor DH has to listen to me whinge and it's not fair on him.

[Greenrabbit]

I'll join you on the bench Sol. Moan away.

The exercise class is a great idea. It's worth a try and if DS doesn't like it at least you've tried.

I'm making some radical changes when I get back from holiday. I've been constantly ill since Easter. I'm sure part of it is due to my unhealthy lifestyle at the moment.

I hope you enjoyed the wine and chips, sometimes it just has to be done. I had Chinese and cider on Wednesday.

There's plenty of houses here for you too, so you can come to prosecco meet ups.

[BeyondTheSea]

Can you both budge up to make room on the bench please?

I've had cake, bread, crisps and loads of other yumminess - I did manage to 800 cal days.

I do think dieting/non dieting is a vicious cycle. Exercising does make me feel better Sol. Having said that I'm so exhausted at the mo, I haven't been for a run since last Saturday. I am planning on 1500 cals this weekend and runs both days.

When Green gets back from holiday, shall we all have a strict few weeks?

Re school, I'd need to live well within a mile for DS to get in.

I don't think we can move North, tempting though it is to drink Prosecco with you and Sol I think you should both move here, I know rachey isn;t that far away either.

[Racheyg]

Day 5 of holiday

I have literally eaten everything and anything in sight. I have never felt so bloated in all my life.

I hope you guys are all ok?

green have a great holiday.

Will post and catch up on my return back to London on Monday.

[Greenrabbit]

Are you having a great time anyway Rachey? Don't worry about bloating. Just enjoy the rest of your time away.

I would let you on the bench Beyond,but my bum is taking up most of it. I should sit on the floor.

I've already put on 7lb and I'm not even on holiday yet. I'm a disgrace,

I agree about the dieting/non dieting cycle. I need to learn how to have control again.

I'm already panicking about secondary schools too Beyond. It's crazy.

[Miffyandme]

I lost you all for a few days. Not done any more exercise as baby been poorly and now I have a stomach bug. So guess that may have some effect on my weight!

Holidays are not the time to diet people!

[SolitudeSometimesIs]

So we're all doing a bit crap at the moment. I am definitely up for being a little stricter, I have 3 weeks until I go on holiday and I need to get something sorted. I went to sign up for the exercise class and it turns out that I have to pay 45 euro per month in advance for 2 classes per week, which is a bit of a disaster as I'm not sure how DS2 will cope with any noise as he has some additional needs. I asked could I pay as I go or do a class to try, but the lady wasn't too keen on that, it's a bit annoying.

Shall we all try to be a little healthier for the next few weeks? I'll let you know what the insanty dvd's are like.

The school system in England sounds very stressful, I can't imagine how difficult it must make choosing where to live. Do schools have huge waiting lists? Do you have to pay for school? We have to pay for books (and now iPads and stuff in some schools) and make "contributions" that are supposed to be voluntary but they put some pressure on.

As for house hunting, I may put up a few pics of the houses I want versus the houses I can afford, I love a bit of property porn. I found a real castle for sale in Dalkey, I would love to live in a castle. You could all come to stay and we'd get a bit pissed and eat loads of food.

[Racheyg]

I'm loving this bench, make way for me and my wobbly bum

I am having a good time sort of. Ds1 is being very difficult and oh is finding it all a bit stressful. I won't go abroad for a few years now and wait till ds's are a little older. We have centre parcs and butlins coming up later this year.

The food has been quite nice....... Had curros and chocolate sauce for breakfast..... With a little bit of fruit to make it not so bad.

green glad all your clothes fitted. I brought a nice swim suit from asda also, with little tummy control. I say little as I think my tummy is to big to fully control hope you have a great time with the family.

beyond sorry if been mentioned but can u extended the house if your happy there? I guess writing a list of needs and want and work out areas suitable for you. Do you have an area in mind?

sol It's a great idea that exercise class. And might be a great social too. I do love exercising but I think I'm going to find it hard getting back into.

As I type my new kitchen is being finished. I can't wait to see it. I'm going to spend the whole of Monday sorting it out.

We have been toying with the idea of a third baby in the future but I think this holiday has well and truly put oh off the idea. We also would need to move house. I'm slightly gutted as I don't feel finished but I should be grateful for my two healthy boys.

Hope you all have a great weekend and looking forward to catching up on Monday x

[BeyondTheSea]

Hope you and the bay are better soon Miffy Definitely don't exercise until fully better.

Makes room for rachey on the bench. Holidays re totally different with DC, it;s like child minding in the sun but harder as you don't have all their stuff with you.I try and focus on the not being at work/ drinking cocktails/ eating lots of yummy things aspects. Seems to help when constantly running after or carrying a grumpy 2 or 5 year old! I kind of know how you feel, I'd like a 3rd but too old now and defiantly too tired and I think DC would really not be pleased either. You could wait a couple of years and see how you both feel then? Post pic of new kitchen!

Sol that's so annoying she won't let you try a class, really inflexible. Are there any other classes near you? I was wondering about trying pilates. I am a bit stick on couch to 5 k, I;m just so slow, a woman ran past me this morning and I felt like giving up (I won't though). Long and brisk walks are supposed to be as good though, have you time fort a 30 min walk 3 times a week?
Please please please post pics of houses, I love looking at property porn as you say. I'll post some too. Our house is big enough for the 4 of us, we don't need to extend of anything, it's just really area and schools that I'd like to change a little. Our other problem is, it needs to be commutable for us both. Although I am still trying to think of a 5 year except plan. remember the cow I mentioned, she is till quite moo like, although I do feel I have changed the way I interact with her (to my benefit). But long term, I can't be there.
I need a change.....

School system quite complicated Sol and stressful. If they are in a state school you get asked to contribute to trips and lots of fund raising type things. We have plenty of time to work it out Green What are the schools like near you?

Enjoy your holiday green and we'll all really concentrate when you get back, we can be good before Sol goes on her holiday and then really blast it once we are all back. Skinny Christmas?

Had a healthy start to the day, greek yogurt, berries and granola.

[BeyondTheSea]

Sorry for typos, typing with one hand while drying hair - hope they are not too cryptic!