Self-care journey

[Startingover37]

As my username suggests, I feel like I'm 'starting over' at 37. Like a lot of people, the past 18mths have led to some unhealthy behaviours mostly overeating, and the closure of gyms and classes (which really work for me) hasn't helped. I am currently around 15 stone.
I can't just blame covid as my weight has slowly crept over the last few years and I fluctuate between getting really into eating healthy, losing weight and then, thinking Feck it, life's too short, eat the cake, drink the wine! I need a healthy balance and a better relationship with food.
I have realised that for me, overfocussing on food and on the scales sends me backwards....simply looking after myself better leads to me feeling better, having more energy and in turn losing weight. I know food is so important in that but for me, focussing on the self-care side seems to have helped before.
So, I'm posting this, both as accountabilty for myself and to see if any like-minded people want to join me on my journey? I hope so!
Starting simple this week...

1. Drink 2l of water each day
2. Walk 10,000 steps per day
3. At least 3 self-care activities per week e.g. a nice bath, paint my nails...anything that makes me feel better in my own body.

Any other suggestions welcome! Genuinely look forward to hearing from anyone in a similar boat!

@purplegirl13 Thank you. Such a kind message. I hope you are doing ok too.
I am going to take your advice and just pamper myself this evening. I've also ordered in some nice food for lunch and plan on finishing reading my book and watching some light tv later. Hope you have a lovely weekend.
Thank you

@Startingover37 I am not sure what you like to watch but I found 'superstore' on netflix a very easy watch and it got me through a time time earlier in the year. I've got coconut oil in my hair and I'm thinking of ordering sushi for dinner.

@purplegirl13 I actually watched Superstore a few months back too. I really enjoyed it, easy watch but very funny. Thanks for the recommendation!
Enjoy your sushi!

Hi all! I managed to go to bed early but I was tossing and turning until around 3am, however today I have been for a long walk and did some exercise so Im hoping tonight, after a hot shower, I'll manage some sleep!

I loved Superstore too. Glenn is my favourite character!

I hope you're both feeling ok this evening?

Good for you ! That’s the exact mindset you need too ! I did something similar at the start of the year and so far have lost 18 kilograms !

@MeadowLines Hopefully you'll get a better sleep tonight. I do find getting out in fresh air and exercising helps me sleep better so will keep the fingers crossed for you! 🤞

I've had a very lazy day today. A lot of netflix and I did overindulge a bit but I also went for a long walk first thing and I did a half hour meditation so overall, it hasn't been a complete disaster. Going to read my book now before bed. Meeting a friend for lunch tomorrow so that will be nice.

@EgSk Wow, well done,18 kg since the start of the year is fantastic. Do you feel a big difference yourself? Any tips on what really worked for you?

@Startingover37 thanks 😊 I don’t feel like I did much with my diet except cut out junk food and take away . I use to run long distance years ago and decided to start again but not necessarily to lose weight . I wanted to be fit and to feel good about myself . I could barely run though as I was 2 months postpartum but I started off by running for a few minutes and building on that . I am now running 50kms a week ( spread out over 5 days ) . I love it and I don’t even think about it as a way to lose weight. I look forward to it every evening after my kids go to bed and I do it to feel good about myself.

I definitely feel healthier . I sleep so much better at night too ! I’m trying not to step on the scale too often and just focus on what makes me feel good ( lots of water , homemade food , fruit and veggies , running ….and the occasional glass of wine in the bath 😊)

@EgSk That is really inspiring...running 50k a week, wow! I was having a bit of a wobble today and your post has really motivated me to start again tomorrow. Well done....and thank you for posting!

@Startingover37 ☺️

Superstore is great, isn't it? I completely missed there was a new season on itv player and now it's no longer available.

@Startingover37 I am pleased to hear you managed to get out yesterday, and have nice plans with a friend later today.

@MeadowLines hoping you had a better nights sleep?

@EgSk I am about to start C25k this week and find your experience so motivating!

Yesterday wasn't too bad, I did some cleaning, applied oil to my hair, did a charcoal face mask and later a sheet mask. I've started watching '30 Rock' and it's perfect for my current mood.

Focus for this week:
Try to put TOMM (The Organised Mum Method) into practice
Start C25K
Start 'Managing Anxiety' Headspace meditation course
Paint my nails (carried from last week)

Existing:
1.5l water each day
Moisturise after showering
Evening facial skincare routine

I had a much better night last night, thank you @purplegirl13.
I have some baking to do today and a few bits around the house then I might indulge in some pampering!

My plan for this week is to have a proper breakfast each day, start Team Tomm (I bought the app about a year ago and have dipped in and out but never even managed a full week!), and also go to bed on time.
Ive been putting water in the fridge at bedtime and having it ice cold the next day to drink has really helped up my water intake.
I may also shave my legs!

@EgSk that is an inspiring journey, thank you for sharing!

@Startingover37 how are you feeling today?

@purplegirl13 Sounds like you had a good day in the end! You are great doing the hair treatments, I wouldn't even know where to begin!

@MeadowLines Ah so glad to hear you had a better night, it makes such a difference! I like your idea of having cold water ready to go each day. Might steal that!

I'm a lot better today, thank you. I think I just had to both let myself acknowledge that I'm feeling a bit lonely but then, accept it and enjoy my own company too. Thanks to you all for the pep-talk yesterday!

My plan for the coming week:
To continue:
Exercise (3 gym sessions/3 or 4 long walks)
Meditation/journalling course each morning.
Listen to music I enjoy while doing housework etc.
Lighting candles, relaxing music in the evening.

To improve:
Up water intake to 1.5 litres every day.
Read before bed rather than go on phone.
Food plan before I shop!! (Still haven't got this one)

Have a great Sunday and week ahead everyone!

So many positive things happening since I last looked on this thread !

I'm enjoying my strict eating pattern (for now) and seeing some more significant movement on the scales. I've met my first mini goal and have now set it 1/2 st lighter. I like that I am now viewing the time when I stop enjoying this phase as the signal to move to another phase. Feels kinder and more realistic.

I'm back on the xbox (not a hobby I thought I would pick up in my late forties...) - which has been great for for those times I need to sit down in the evening due to my foot but want my mind off eating.

Focus for this week:

• 20 mins of cleaning/day beyond the daily basics (I like cleaning and I love having a clean home but somehow...)
• Facial care - evening routine + SPF 30 BFF cream in the morning.
• Foot exercises - find a way to make this habit

Very glad to hear that you're feeling better @Startingover37

@Paramaribo congratulations on meeting your first goal! That's a very good way of approaching weight loss, I think I might adopt it.

I've noticed that when I keep myself busy during the day with housework and chores, I tend to end up either not eating until lunchtime without feeling hungry and unknowingly fasting, or at least eating far less than the days I sit and do bugger all! The house also looks better and I feel less guilty when my husband comes home from work tired and hungry!

Checking in for the day...

Have been out for most of the day at my mum's, spent some time with my young nephew. It was good to get out of my flat and be around people. Evening skincare done. I'm planning on taking a sleeping tablet tonight to try and reset my sleeping pattern.

@Paramaribo well done on making your first goal!

@MeadowLines I'm glad to have a TOMM buddy

@Startingover37 glad you're feeling better. The coconut oil hasn't been used to cook with in forever so I thought applying to hair would be a handy way to use it up!

Wishing us all a good nights sleep!

Thank you @MeadowLines! It is incredible how being busy can banish hunger pangs! Similar thing with wine drinking for me too - it makes boring situations seem much more interesting. I know I need to work on making the activity more interesting rather than chemically altering my perception of it!

Thank you @purplegirl13! How was your sleep last night?

@Paramaribo Thank you, feeling much better again! Well done on meeting your first goal, the way you are treating your goals and being kind to yourself about it sounds great!

Love that you have found the xbox as a hobby for the evening. I think this thread is showing us it's all about finding what works for us, whatever engages and occupies us, whatever that may be.

@MeadowLines Totally agree on the housework being a win-win situation. The house is cleaner and tidier but you're also occupied and less likely to be mindlessly picking. I put some of my old favourites on spotify and often find myself singing and dancing along as I'm cleaning. My teenage daughter cringes....but it makes the job more enjoyable!

@purplegirl13 Your day with your mum and nephew sounds lovely. As you said, just getting out of the house, being with people, it's good for the soul! Hope your sleeping has improved x

Morning everyone. I had a good sleep last night after a few restless nights. I've had a long shower and did a hair mask, and now I'm set up for a day of garden centre strolling!

@purplegirl13 I'm glad you enjoyed some time out of your flat with people. I am very much a solitary person, but when I do spend time with others it definitely lifts my mood.

@Paramaribo I have a similar thing with snacking while doing anything (and nothing) and I do need to get on top of it.

@Startingover37 I tend to blast music and sing along too. My children tend to close the doors behind me and put in their earphones! I only worry when nextdoor's dog joins in!

Annoyingly despite all the extra movement, the unintended fasting and drinking a lot more water, the scales still arent budging at all. I'm not going to overreact to it and panic though. I know I could still be better with food and snacks, so I will start being more mindful of them whilst still being kind to myself with my inner voice. I might google some snack ideas to make it more interesting actually.

I am still struggling, mood wise. Feeling lonely and vulnerable. I am CEV due to immunosuppression meds, and although I'm double jabbed it is quite possible I have little to no protection due to my compromised immune system and the meds I'm on. So I am feeling very sad, angry and forgotten about with restrictions soon lifting.

Sleeping tablets are getting me to sleep but I am having very weird dreams which are unsettling when I wake, so will see if I can get to sleep without them tonight. I am emotional but period due soon so hormones probably at play. I ate my feeling yesterday but will try and rein it in as know I'll feel worse with the weight gain.

I am going to clean the flat today in small bursts (whilst blasting cheesy 80's pop) to keep me distracted

@MeadowLines I like to call myself a social introvert, I like low key dinners with friends and seeing people in small groups. I'm glad you slept well last night - enjoy the garden centre stroll! Being more mindful of the snacking whilst still being kind sounds like a good plan.

@Startingover37 sounds like you are feeling much better, I'm glad

Aw @purplegirl13 I'm sorry to hear you are struggling. It sounds really tough esp when things are starting to go back to normal. I suppose it's trying to make the best of it? Could you have a friend or two over?

I always get really emotional in the run up to my period too and any feelings like loneliness just seem to be magnified. It does settle again quite quick for me. Hopefully it's the same for you.

Hope you got some of the flat cleaning done....love a bit of cheesy pop! I have a course for work to complete so that will be my plan for today.

Any time you aren't feeling great, be sure to pop a message here. Plenty of listening ears here. Take care x

Purplegirl, I completely understand how you are feeling. It's a troubling time we are all adjusting to, trying to assess risk and work out how to manage our lives in this new context. Your post today really resonated with me.

I'm new- have just read so far and feel this would be a very 'me' place to hang out, if I may!

I've lost 4.5 stone on slimming world recently, have another 2 or 3 to lose. Self care is a bit of a challenge for me, and I'll really find this helpful. I have fibromyalgia, so it can be a struggle to even remember what I'm aiming to do, at times!

I've been much better recently, and have got my daily activity up to about 10k steps most days. I also do Tai Chi three or four times a week.

I gave up pepsi max, but have restarted! I'm not sure how much I care about that one.
I've more or less stopped drinking alcohol- never drank much, but am now down to a sip of DH's beer occasionally.

I've started doing morning and evening skin care. If anyone has any tips on what to use, that would be awesome! I have some no7 to use up, and have bought some serums from Aldi/lacura.

I really need to focus on housework and personal organisation, I think. I get so overwhelmed by things, and my memory is appalling- I end up doing things several times over because I forget where I got to!

TOMM would probably work for me. I'll have a Google.

@purplegirl13 I'm sorry you're feeling low, it really does suck. I've seen a petition to stop the masks not being mandatory - I don't know how much help these things actually are, but hopefully the powers that be will realise it is not a sensible approach to take. We can hope anyway.

Hi @picklemewalnuts, welcome! Well done on your weight loss to date, that's great going! I have a chronic pain condition also, so it can be very hard to get the basics done at times. I think I need to get better routines in place to make the journey a little easier on myself, and hopefully more productive too!

@picklemewalnuts Welcome!!! You are well on your way on your journey, that's a fantastic achievement. Well done!

Sorry to hear those who are feeling low ..I often get those feelings and find distracting myself with self care really works.

I was on holiday a few weeks ago and found time to meditate daily as well as walk on the beach , it was really therapeutic. I had a lovely long bath last night , with face mask on ( not a Covid preventing one 😃) ... felt good afterwards.! X