My 2024 ‘overhaul my life’ thread

[thenewaveragebear1983]

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/weight_loss_chat/4695746-i-need-to-lose-23lbs-in-2023-and-overhaul-my-life

last year I did a big life overhaul and thought I’d do the same in 2024 to keep me on track. Feel free to comment or join in!

stuff that went well

• i did lose weight, I was 153lbs at my last weigh in so I lost 17lbs although I think my post Xmas weigh in will see a few of those returning
• i got a new job
• I got my puppy 🐶
• I got put on hrt for my anxiety and my mental health is a lot better
• I climbed snowdon, ran 950kms and did 60 gym classes

Goals for 2024

• continue with slimming world. I have 3 weighs left on my countdown, and I will then buy another. My aim is to get any Xmas gain off before this countdown ends, then average 1lb a week in my next one. I’d then be 10st - I think that’s my target.
• Dry January, leading to 100 days dry. I really want to give up drinking both for my weight and my health
• Self care routine- I need to get some sort of skincare/ grooming routine in place
• my dog has put paid to my gym classes as I cannot get to the morning classes now, so while I am walking a lot, I’m not doing any strength stuff so I am going to build in a home workout schedule, starting small.
• I enjoy my job, I want to do some training and consider where I can go within the company
• i have some cardio issues and thyroid issues, I want to consider coming off HRT and pursuing a diagnosis for this.
• Snowdon really gave me the wanderlust and I want to do more
• I need to get some friends. I have realised this Christmas that I actually don’t have anyone, I’m so very lonely and I don’t really know why I don’t have anyone. So I want to find hobbies/other ways to meet people and socialise. (Need to give this some thought)

Hope the tests help you get to the route of things @thenewaveragebear1983

I've been a bit off the boil - just a busy week and I've not prioritised exercise. However, have managed to get through a bit of admin. January is filled with big birthday celebrations for me, I'm hoping February will be easier on the 'getting things done' front.

I'm not doing dry January, but I have committed to drinking less / on fewer days, which is going well.

Hope the tests shed a light on something for you @thenewaveragebear1983

i have been terrible at keeping up with the chat and haven’t stuck to my original goals at all. I think it’s been so tough as I’ve had a lot on.

After going back to uni as a mature student a few years ago I am on a grad scheme so the workload is pretty intense so that’s not going to change over the next 18 months so I need to try and find a way to balance it better

i do think it will be easier once I pass my driving test, I spend around 3 hours commuting each day I’m in office, sometime more if traffic is bad and that should go down to about an hour once I can drive myself so I think that will really improve my work/life balance.

its pretty tough to leave the house at 6:30pm and walk back through the door 12 hours later and still try to fit in family time, exercise, cooking and study so I am juggling a lot

on the plus side I passed my theory test so now have my practical test booked for beginning of March which hopefully I will be ready for and pass

i also made myself go out for a run today even though the weather is pretty miserable, I can’t keep putting it off. It was tough going but I felt better for it

I ran today too @G40NEW and struggled in the strong winds.

my sideboard was delivered today so I have had a nice afternoon cleaning my kitchen and thinning out a lot of my cupboards, it all looks very neat and tidy now. That’s ticked off one of my aims, to get more storage and worktop space in my kitchen!

My charity bag this week was clothes from the loft, and I must admit I am noticing I am starting to make a dent in it because I struggled to fill a bag. I went back through boxes I’d already sorted and found a few extra bits, and managed to fill a big bag. Next week I need to venture further back into the real dark corners. I also need to do Christmas decs and that will be a tricky one for me. Another tricky one will be ‘useful stuff that I’m never going to use’ as it does have some inherent value and I find it hard to get rid of them. I feel quite overwhelmed by it which is why I am really sticking to my one bag a week as it means I don’t get decision fatigued or alternatively, get completely into it and end up with a massive pile up get rid of.

things I’m not doing so well at:

• spending- I’ve still spent quite a lot this month and have bought a few things on vinted, although in my defence they were all necessary purchases- some insulated gloves (I actually think I’m getting nerve damage in my finger from dog walking with no gloves 🥶), a few enrichment toys for the dog, hot water bottles… and things like that. I’ve not bought any clothes. I’ve looked, but not bought and until I’ve lost some weight I won’t know what I need anyway.
• my skincare has gone out the window this week. Literally not done it once.

so those are my mini goals for this week: no spending and do my skin!

Oh I love sorting out a cupboard or two @thenewaveragebear1983

Sounds like you've got a lot on your plate @G40NEW and the commute sounds parlicularly tough. Is there anything you could do on the commute that would make life easier at other times - life admin, email catch up or study, or could you do more for yourself - read more, listen to interesting podcasts or do some mindfulness? I think I'd be terribly inclined to while away the time idly scrolling on my phone!

I've not been great the last week or so, but in pursuit of my overall goals this week I plan on:

• exercise more than last week
• be consistent with evening skincare (I've been better than pre-new year, but still some room for improvement
• do a monthly budget overhaul
• write my list of 'things that need to be done'
• tidy out the coat and shoe cupboard.

So i saw the cardiologist today. They didn’t really tell me anything I didn’t know. I have a v low resting heart rate (lowest capture in my 24hr ecg was 31 bpm 😮) and I have ectopic beats, which is what is causing the thundering and palpitations. They are more worried about the heart rate than the palpitations. There appears to be no cause for this low heart rate, and I’m symptomatic as in I feel tired, I get brain fog, I get breathlessness. The palpitations I felt in the ecg don’t seem to correlate with activity in the trace, which is causing them some confusion. I’m going to have to do another 24 hr trace. There is a chance that I may need a pacemaker. I’m even more determined now to look after myself, continue with not drinking and lose some weight. They did my height/weight and I was bmi 25, so just overweight. Being tired all the time doesn’t help does it? I have a blood test tomorrow for my iron count and I have ordered some iron supplements to start taking as soon as they arrive. I figure it can’t hurt and I know my level was low a few months ago, so it will likely be low again.

Sorry to hear that @thenewaveragebear1983 - I hope you get to the bottom of it soon, it must be worrying.

Lack of energy definitely doesn't help with weight loss. I make my worst choices when I'm tired.

I felt a bit better today, I went to bed early and this morning I took my magnesium/vit d and an iron supplement. I must remember to take them daily now.

I have signed up to a 70 day programme with the instructor from my old gym. I stopped going when I got the puppy and fullly intended to w/out from home but I have literally not once done even a squat since October. So he offers an online programme, 10 weeks, and he sends workouts and checks in a couple of times a week, it’s quite expensive (£149 for ten weeks) but if it makes me focus then I am prepared to do it. I figure if I am not up for running, a home workout could be a good idea.

Started my iron tablets yesterday, today feel really uncomfortable and bloated, I know they do affect your stomach so hoping that dies down in a few days.
I ran this morning, I’ve now hit 50km running this month and 55k walking (I don’t actually count all my walks so I imagine I’m probably nearer 100km walked). I’d like to get back up to 100kms running a month, but consistent mileage is best and I’m hoping that now I’m having iron supplements I’ll start feeling not so tired.

this weekend, my charity bag is going to be ‘stuff’ from the loft- picture frames, lampshades, etc which will be a challenging one because I always think they may be useful. So I need to do a focussed clear out.

I'm taking my puppy to a workshop on Saturday afternoon, hopefully, if I can book on and if the weather forecast looks ok.

i get paid tomorrow and i’m carrying £67 over to next month, and I didn’t touch my savings either, so I’m really pleased with that. I’ll move the £67 to my savings tomorrow and my goal for Feb is to try and beat that!

I’ve done ok on my skincare, I reckon I have managed 1 day in 3 which isn’t great but is better than before which was zero.

I’ve weighed in today and I’ve lost a measley 3lbs in January, which is pretty crap although technically there is one more weigh in. Considering I’ve exercised and also done dry January I’m a bit miffed, but then to be fair I haven’t been 100% on plan, so I’m going to have one more determined push this week to end January.

You sounds so energetic for a tired person @thenewaveragebear1983: running, dog-walking, online training, decluttering.

I have done almost nothing in comparison. Slow start to the year of transformation but I have stuck to Dry Jan, started Pilates and restarted weight training, probably managed an average of 5k steps every other day, which isn't great but better than nothing.

I've booked some house viewing in the area we plan to retire to, booked three weekends away - one with DH, one with family and one with friends, so there are things to look forward to. I've rejoined an online interest group and have started work on a project with them.

And I finally got an ADHD diagnosis and start medication tomorrow, so that might help with the brain fog and disorganisation and possibly with the mindless eating too.

Still need to get started with decluttering the house, especially as it has to go on the market in Spring.

I’ve had a busy weekend. Today I have done 29k steps 😧 I ran 10km then walked the dog a lovely 5.5kms, then a short one this evening. It’s the first time I’ve run in a long time that I have felt really fit, and I could have gone further. I started taking iron tablets this week, I really didn’t expect to feel better so soon so I’m not counting my chickens but it does seem coincidental that I’m feeling so much better this week.

I cleared a few things out of the loft today- a small bag for charity and 4 larger items that I stuck on marketplace free to collector and they were collected. Next week my clear out is a tip run rather than a charity bag, I now have a box full to get rid of. Then I should be in a better position to actually organise the things I’m keeping and labelling my storage boxes up there.

starting to think ahead to February

• I’d like to clock 80km running and 100km walking
• do my skin care more regularly and floss my teeth, I’ve still not been great with that.
• lose 1lb a week (I’d like more, but 1lb a week is a doable target that does add up
• continue dry jan into feb.
• continue my clear out
• continue my trying not to spend too much, I ended Jan with £67 in my current account, so I’d like to beat that. I have bought a few bits this month but nothing too much and all things I actually need.
• hopefully start my PT workouts with Tom

so another busy month planned, I like feb though- it goes quickly and then it’s spring which is always a nice time of year.

Iron count results are back in and my number has dropped from 35 in July to 24 last week. So a fair % drop and very low in the normal range. I already started iron tabs last week so hoping they improve my energy levels a bit

Well done @thenewaveragebear1983 and good news on test results.

I've been limping along in the sort shit put stakes, however I have tidied and sorted the coat and shoe cupboard. It's a decent sized built in cupboard in the hallway and as well as numerous coats and jackets, it was stuffed full of shoes, bags, hats, gloves etc. it was enormously satisfying. Easy to find everything, bags and coat pockets emptied of rogue contents, sweet wrappers and used tissues, and a few 'too small' things relocated to the charity shop bag. And it will make the spring swap over for lighter weight items in a couple of months much easier!

Is that ferritin the number? Sounds like it? Mine is quite low too, was 9 before I started the iron and I was having dizzy spells. Iron has helped and it does take a bit of getting used to so start with a lower dose and gradually build up. You are doing a lot of exercise though so maybe why you feel so tired, I certainly would and I also do a lot of steps. But I get it’s a different level of tired isn’t it than when you’re tired from walking too far etc.

@Zanatdy yes, its a totally different type of tired isn’t? I wouldn’t say i feel sleepy, it’s like an exhaustion and it comes in waves. I’ve been taking iron for a week and I’m already feeling a bit brighter. No palpitations the last 2 days, no breathy feeling. Still quite tired. I didn’t expect to feel anything this quickly so I’m really pleased.
I do do a fair bit of exercise but I used to do more so to me this isn’t that much- I do have to remind myself that it’s still a fair bit

I’ve not been great the last few days. Really tired, loads of palpitations and breathless feeling, and not slept well.

I’ve not done my tip trip this weekend, or hemmed my curtains - which were my job goals this weekend.

I have arranged to start my 70 days challenge so I’ve been doing a lot of prep for that, planning meals and working out my protein gs. I’ve done all my measurements. I need to do some photos, although I’m already thinking I’m going to be the one person who will do this and not lose weight. I’m going to try to stick to sw while also meeting my protein goals.

i’m continuing with my iron tabs, and I’m still dry Jan/feb- ing.

I think I may have broken 2 of my toes stubbing them on the dog gate - ouch!

we have discussed a holiday and I think we are going to go to Edinburgh, stay in a hotel with a pool and spa and do a nice few days city break with the dc at whitsun. I’m really excited!

Sorry to read that @thenewaveragebear1983 it's so rubbish when you want to get cracking with your goals but energy issues get in the way.

Edinburgh is my neck of the woods - I hope you have a lovely visit when the time comes.

Slow progress for me over the last few weeks - birthday and social plans with half the family got in the way. But I started February 5lbs lighter than the start on January, and managed to get a few wee jobs out of the way at the weekend. I'm full of motivation for this month and have been back on the exercise and healthy eating, with a particular goal to increase my fibre intake as well as sticking to my calorie limit. So far so good, but it is only 5th of the month...

5lbs is great 👍 a pound a week is good consistency weight loss and really adds up. I lost 3.5 in Jan, I’d have liked a little more to be honest considering I feel I made sacrifices (no wine) but then if I am being really honest with myself, I ate pretty badly and had too much sugar/bread and I wasn’t always 100% tracking everything.

started my 70 day challenge yesterday. It’s hard to get the protein in within calories/syns allowance and it was interesting that by tracking protein on mfp, by default I tracked calories and considering I felt that yesterday I ate less, on a normal day I’m probably eating far more - no wonder my loss is slow.

overall I’m feeling a bit better generally. I’m not doing great at the not spending- the dog literally has my debit card in her little paw I think. Bloody expensive hobby! this weekend I want/need to clean my house, and do my tip run from last weekend, plus I need to clean my car.

I have some life admin on the agenda this week too:

• find some boarding for puppy
• book a haircut for my day of leave in March (have not had a haircut for a year!)
• book my car in for a service
• collect my notes from GP

I’m going to try to tick these off one a day this week.

Ticking one job a day off is a good idea. DH and I need to pull together our master list so we can start allocating jobs for the week!

What is the 70 day challenge (sorry if I have missed that in previous posts)? I have a bit of a mini challenge this month (well, two) - to eat more fibre and do a stretch class every day.

I think calorie tracking can be a bit of an eye opener. It doesn't suit everyone, but I think a little stint of it can be helpful if you feel that you are 'being good' but are not losing anything.

@WhatWouldTheDoctorDo I signed up to a 70 day challenge with a pt from my old gym. I used to go a couple of times a week but since getting a puppy I’ve not been at all so I hope this will get me back into it.

Ah I see, good luck with it!

I’ve not updated my thread in a while . I’ve had a good few weeks. Looking at my list above, I did 2 of those except book the dog in to boarding - must must do that this week or we won’t get her in anywhere. And didn’t collect my gp notes- again, must do this week.
I booked a hair cut for a day of annual leave on 1st March
booked my car in for a service

this week I don’t have anything to charity from the loft- it’s time to start sorting. I’m going to do kids school uniforms today, need to bring the next size down and get rid of old ones. I’ve given up vinted and amazon for lent, so I’m holding off listing any new things at the moment as well, and have deleted the vinted app.

diet/health wise- I’m feeling a lot better since starting my iron tablets. Just more energy generally, and not so worn out.
I’ve been doing my 70 day challenge with my PT, done 2 workouts a week. I feel so much stronger, I just needed to break the cycle of avoidance, and just do it. He’s upped my weights this week and changed some of the moves as there was a bit of cardio which I don’t really need as I’m running as well. I did 13kms yesterday. Longest this year, and although I did feel really tired and my legs were aching, I did it.

I lost 2.5lbs at slimming this week, my weight is now 11.0.5 so just a pound away from being back in the 10’s and 4.5 from my mini target. Weight loss is slow but a good week like that really boosts me along. I’m still not back to my pre-December weight but I’m nearly there, I think 2.5lbs away. Could do that this week if I really focus.

saw my old friend while walking the dog yesterday. She basically ghosted me in September, I have no idea why- we were really good friends. Looking back on our friendship I think I needed her more than she needed me, but that’s pretty standard for me. I don’t have loads of friends. Last time I saw her, she literally couldn’t get away fast enough, last night she didn’t recognise me at first as it was dark, her dog came up to mine and we sort of exchanged ‘you ok?” Yeah you?” Kind of words . I still don’t know what I’ve done or what is up with her. But I’m not devastated about it anymore.

anyway, so there’s my update!

oh, and it’s day 49 alcohol free which I’m really chuffed with. I’ve never done that long before except when pregnant so I’m really pleased. My skin looks clearer. I’m sleeping better. My rosacea is calming down.

This weeks update:
day 55 alcohol free ✔️
booked the dog in for boarding and a couple of daycares , this means we can book our city break to Edinburgh for whitsun this weekend.
i had a really good week on my diet but annoyingly I maintained. Trying not to be too stroppy about it! I’m 2lbs away from my pre-Xmas weight so I want that off, maybe I’m putting too much pressure on myself?

i’m 3 weeks into my 10 wk pt programme, really enjoying it, I feel stronger and tighter which is good. I just needed the kick up the bum to actually do it so I’m glad I have. It’s a tough workout. Going to increase to 3x a week next week, maybe doing 2x the core/arms and 1x legs.

running better too, feeling more energetic and confident to take on longer distances. Aiming for 14km today.

jobs- this weekend I want to hem these stupid curtains, I’m seriously procrastinating this one. And I have now ordered all the missing photos so I’m going to do my albums.

it’s a super cold, crisp sunny morning today, perfect spring cleaning and blow out the cobwebs weather so I intend to fully embrace that.

So it’s day 70 alcohol free! That’s the longest I have ever gone, I’m really proud of myself and I don’t have any plans to drink yet either.
I’m halfway through my 70 day challenge with my PT, I need to do some halfway photos but I’m waiting til my totm bloat subsides! I did measure my waist and I’ve lost 7cm in 5 weeks!

I did have a little gain this week but I think that was probably water retention, I weighed this morning and I did seem to have lost a couple again. I have had pudding today as it was Mother’s Day. But now til weigh in I’m going to be super on it. Overall I’ve lost 10lbs now, it’s been very slow but it is gradually chipping away. I’d like to lose another 4 by Easter to take me to a stone off, it’s not likely because my losses are so slow but I’m sticking with it for now..

I’ve been doing a few jobs round the house and I’m ticking a few things off the list

I’ve been taking better care of myself, I had a haircut and I’ve been using my skincare and moisturising my feet, and I bought a sonic flosser which is very good and I feel like it’s helping my teeth and my gums. I bought some new clothes last weekend and they make me feel really nice.

i’m Picking up my running and pushing myself more on pace, I did a fast 5 km today in 26mins20 and a slow 5km home. I’m doing my workouts and this week I’m going to increase my weights a bit and add a couple of additional exercises as it’s now only taking me 20 mins not 30!

I was feeling quite burned out a few weeks ago but I have actively made myself slow down and take time to just take a bit more care of myself. I am feeling so much better on my iron tablets as well.

so all in all, a very positive update!

Day 77. I lost half a pound when I weighed in on Thursday.
I’ve been struck down with a virus and I have felt rough all weekend and still feel terrible, I may call in sick tomorrow.

i have 4 weeks left on my 70 day challenge with PT and I really wanted a strict ‘on it’ few weeks to max my results, so it’s a bit annoying that I have had a set back but can’t be helped. I will hopefully feel better in a couple of days.

in my other areas, work is going well. I have a few days leave at Easter and I can’t wait. I have a heart scan tomorrow morning to hopefully get to the bottom of my issues.
I’ve been keeping up with my skincare and I’ve added in an spf now it’s getting a bit brighter because I am determined to use it daily. I’ve got a few home/diy jobs planned for the next few weeks and will get painting the kitchen which is the next big job.

Sorry you've been struck down @thenewaveragebear1983 I hope the scan goes well tomorrow and you get some answers.

I'm a daily SPF user, I think everyone should be, it's one of my pet subjects 😃

I've been making slow progress. DH and I have been making an effort to drink less and I've noticed that my change in eating habits is making stodgy calorific meals less appealing. I've been successful in increasing my fibre intake too.

February was tough on the exercise front, but trying to keep it up.

Managed to get a few long standing jobs done, but there's still plenty to crack on with!