For those of you with ultra long memories (or those who give a rats ass actually care what I am up to – haha!) I promised a Mid-March Update.
This was initially an update on My Simple Exercise and Eating Plan to shift the Mum Tum.
Well guess what? I have failed. I have a lovely long list of all the reasons I did not succeed in reducing my waistline, but all it is a great big dose of ‘Excusitus’! So no bikini snaps of moi!
I think the lack of motivation actually stemmed from a visit to a Osteopath who commented that after having two kids I stand a cat’s in hell chance of a flat stomach ever again (okay so I am paraphrasing) – but the prognosis wasn’t great. Apparently my abdominal muscles are ‘dragging’ – what does that mean? – it sounds sinister!
So no heavier than I was and no lighter – here I am Mum of Two with a bit of a Tum. Still exactly the same – average Jo as always!
There is some good news, I have started running again, not as much as I should but it’s a start and as the nights get lighter in the UK it’s probable I will be back to three runs a week, approx 15-20 miles. That’s enough – as always I’m a moderate gal, no need to get extreme!
Failure Alert
Where I have failed spectacularly is with my sentimental hoarding. All the clutter is out of the dining room table – not a table we really use at the moment (long story – won’t go there) so it’s not a dining disaster.
I cannot get my head around it, I can’t. I have fantastic intentions, then as I start going through it, I start reading and inspecting everything and getting lost in the past and get nowhere.
Seriously it is getting me down. I have no idea why I cannot conquer it.
I have had a kind offer from a reader who mentioned she may be able to help, and I am speaking with Naomi Saunders (Professional organiser and the author of the book that started me on my journey). My priority from April will be the sentimental hoard – three months late.
Perhaps I should chuck the lot? Could someone contact the Hubby, grab a key and dispose of it all whilst I am out one day please?
This is a long post isn’t it? Anyway on we go…
Couple of things
Changes to blogging – I am setting up a No Waste Tastes Great Blog as I have an awful lot of posts related to food, meal planning, food waste etc… that if I incorporated here would mean I was blogging daily and sometimes twice daily – that’s just ridiculous and you would soon get fed up… so I am going to isolate the majority of my food writing on the new blog, with links (where relevant) from this one for those who are interested.
Facebook – I am relenting and setting up a Facebook page. I had stuck just to Twitter, but Facebook has so much potential for me to do lots of little updates on fun stuff and anecdotal things that I couldn’t really post here. Now I have my new Blackberry I think I’d enjoy it as I could do updates when out and about, as I very often have inspiration as I am moving through life and meeting people!
Finally – Yes breath everyone! (you can tell I haven’t posted in 6 days – it’s like I have caught up with a close friend I haven’t seen for a while and need to get it all off my chest)
HAPPY ST PATRICK’S DAY!
Today we are eating Slow-Cooked Steak and Guinness Pie at Chez Wright and I shared the recipe over at Untitled Minimalism for anyone who fancies trying it.
I love the name Patrick (Tanja please pass that on…) it was second choice for my Son Daniel when he was born.
On that note I’ll love ya and leave ya! Lot’s to do – aka packing – I hate packing so much, but this time I am going minimal!
Oh, Jo! Good to hear from you again! I’ve missed you these past several days!
Try not to worry about the Mum Tum! At only 33, I’ve already decided that a good “control” bathing suit is my makeover of choice. Neither you nor I are overweight, so maybe it’s just that we keep comparing the images in the magazines with the image in the mirror?
As for the sentimental hoarding, good luck! It’s hard to do, isn’t it? But I know you’ll get there!
And Happy St. Patrick’s Day! Hey, guess what? Our baby is Patrick (after my dad)! I (obviously) love the name too!
Hugs from NY!!!
That made me smile – I looked at a ‘tummy control’ swimsuit today. It is on my list of things to buy. I’d like a 50’s style one, so will continue searching.
Lovely name! Hugs back R
Have a lovely weekend Jo
Oh, Jo! Good to hear from you again! I’ve missed you these past several days!
Try not to worry about the Mum Tum! At only 33, I’ve already decided that a good “control” bathing suit is my makeover of choice. Neither you nor I are overweight, so maybe it’s just that we keep comparing the images in the magazines with the image in the mirror?
As for the sentimental hoarding, good luck! It’s hard to do, isn’t it? But I know you’ll get there!
And Happy St. Patrick’s Day! Hey, guess what? Our baby is Patrick (after my dad)! I (obviously) love the name too!
Hugs from NY!!!
That made me smile – I looked at a ‘tummy control’ swimsuit today. It is on my list of things to buy. I’d like a 50’s style one, so will continue searching.
Lovely name! Hugs back R
Have a lovely weekend Jo
Oh, Jo! Good to hear from you again! I’ve missed you these past several days!
Try not to worry about the Mum Tum! At only 33, I’ve already decided that a good “control” bathing suit is my makeover of choice. Neither you nor I are overweight, so maybe it’s just that we keep comparing the images in the magazines with the image in the mirror?
As for the sentimental hoarding, good luck! It’s hard to do, isn’t it? But I know you’ll get there!
And Happy St. Patrick’s Day! Hey, guess what? Our baby is Patrick (after my dad)! I (obviously) love the name too!
Hugs from NY!!!
That made me smile – I looked at a ‘tummy control’ swimsuit today. It is on my list of things to buy. I’d like a 50’s style one, so will continue searching.
Lovely name! Hugs back R
Have a lovely weekend Jo
Hi Jo – I found your blog through the minimalist packrat and I truly feel your pain as far as losing the “baby tummy”. Not that my tummy was all that flat pre-birth, but it definitely had potential then. Now I’d just be happy with getting rid of the newly discovered back-fat 🙂 hopefully that wasn’t TMI!
Anyway, good luck with your sentimental de-cluttering; I could probably use some tips on that too – I know what it’s like to get lost in nostalgia while trying to clear stuff out. So far, that’s what we’ve been using the garage for but we are going to run out of room soon.
And lastly, if I wasn’t a vegetarian, I would totally make that steak and guiness pie – sounds delish!
Happy St. Patrick’s day!
Hi Tisha lovely to hear from you! Oh yes the dreaded back fat – where does that come from? Mine has started accumulating also!
The sentimental clutter – it’s a tough one. I have been told that ‘creative’ people are particularly at risk from this kind of clutter as they find it very easy to find a reason to keep things or purpose to something that really is worthless – they see ‘potential’ in things. I am hoping to do another post on it soon – waiting to hear whether I will be getting a professional organiser posting here to help.
As for the pie – instead of beef, use a mixture of mushrooms – it works as well. Thicken the sauce with some gravy granules (vegetarian of course!)
Thanks so much for commenting! Have a lovely weekend Jo
Just popped over to yours – looks fab! Will have a deeper dig next week – if you fancy contributing to the Faminimalism series please e-mail me x
Hi Jo – I found your blog through the minimalist packrat and I truly feel your pain as far as losing the “baby tummy”. Not that my tummy was all that flat pre-birth, but it definitely had potential then. Now I’d just be happy with getting rid of the newly discovered back-fat 🙂 hopefully that wasn’t TMI!
Anyway, good luck with your sentimental de-cluttering; I could probably use some tips on that too – I know what it’s like to get lost in nostalgia while trying to clear stuff out. So far, that’s what we’ve been using the garage for but we are going to run out of room soon.
And lastly, if I wasn’t a vegetarian, I would totally make that steak and guiness pie – sounds delish!
Happy St. Patrick’s day!
Hi Tisha lovely to hear from you! Oh yes the dreaded back fat – where does that come from? Mine has started accumulating also!
The sentimental clutter – it’s a tough one. I have been told that ‘creative’ people are particularly at risk from this kind of clutter as they find it very easy to find a reason to keep things or purpose to something that really is worthless – they see ‘potential’ in things. I am hoping to do another post on it soon – waiting to hear whether I will be getting a professional organiser posting here to help.
As for the pie – instead of beef, use a mixture of mushrooms – it works as well. Thicken the sauce with some gravy granules (vegetarian of course!)
Thanks so much for commenting! Have a lovely weekend Jo
Just popped over to yours – looks fab! Will have a deeper dig next week – if you fancy contributing to the Faminimalism series please e-mail me x
Hi Jo – I found your blog through the minimalist packrat and I truly feel your pain as far as losing the “baby tummy”. Not that my tummy was all that flat pre-birth, but it definitely had potential then. Now I’d just be happy with getting rid of the newly discovered back-fat 🙂 hopefully that wasn’t TMI!
Anyway, good luck with your sentimental de-cluttering; I could probably use some tips on that too – I know what it’s like to get lost in nostalgia while trying to clear stuff out. So far, that’s what we’ve been using the garage for but we are going to run out of room soon.
And lastly, if I wasn’t a vegetarian, I would totally make that steak and guiness pie – sounds delish!
Happy St. Patrick’s day!
Hi Tisha lovely to hear from you! Oh yes the dreaded back fat – where does that come from? Mine has started accumulating also!
The sentimental clutter – it’s a tough one. I have been told that ‘creative’ people are particularly at risk from this kind of clutter as they find it very easy to find a reason to keep things or purpose to something that really is worthless – they see ‘potential’ in things. I am hoping to do another post on it soon – waiting to hear whether I will be getting a professional organiser posting here to help.
As for the pie – instead of beef, use a mixture of mushrooms – it works as well. Thicken the sauce with some gravy granules (vegetarian of course!)
Thanks so much for commenting! Have a lovely weekend Jo
Just popped over to yours – looks fab! Will have a deeper dig next week – if you fancy contributing to the Faminimalism series please e-mail me x
Hurray! You’re back!
Oh, the dreaded mum tum. I had c-sections with both of my boys. After the first one, things pretty much went back to normal. After the second — not so much. Maybe it’s because I had a lot more time to exercise with only one kiddo? Who knows. I have mum butt and thighs too. Wait? Is that even a thing? 😉
Don’t be so hard on yourself. That’s great that you’ve started running again! After a couple of months, you’ll probably be surprised at the difference in what you see (and feel).
Sentimental stuff. I’m having a really tough time with sentimental things as they relate to the kids. Like every birthday card they’ve ever received. I don’t keep my own birthday cards, but I’m having a hard time letting go of theirs for some reason. I got rid of the Precious Moments cake topper from my wedding, but I still have those darn birthday cards the kids’ received. I don’t get it.
And I’m so excited to see the new food-focused blog. That’s great! Will it have a gluten-free section? Ha, ha. I’m kidding. Kind-of.
Hi Jenny! You’ve broken my dream! Just read the bit about Thighs – I dreamt last night I had HUGE thighs – they are quite big but not as big as in my dream! Haha!
Sentiment and the Kids – Don’t know about you but it’s almost like I am trying to halt time, they are growing up and I am hanging on – probably very unhealthy! I’m the same – wedding stuff I can chuck, I’ve even kept the pregnancy tests I did – comments please 🙂
Gluten-free – sure I have something up my sleeve – in your honour of course!
Have Fun Jo
Okay. Since you brought it up — I have the pregnancy tests I took with both of my sons. Yeah, gross. Maybe we should take a picture of the tests and chuck the physical reminders? 🙂
I think you might be onto something with the trying to halt time thing. It really does go so fast and I don’t want to let go of all the adorable little baby and kid memories.
Hurray! You’re back!
Oh, the dreaded mum tum. I had c-sections with both of my boys. After the first one, things pretty much went back to normal. After the second — not so much. Maybe it’s because I had a lot more time to exercise with only one kiddo? Who knows. I have mum butt and thighs too. Wait? Is that even a thing? 😉
Don’t be so hard on yourself. That’s great that you’ve started running again! After a couple of months, you’ll probably be surprised at the difference in what you see (and feel).
Sentimental stuff. I’m having a really tough time with sentimental things as they relate to the kids. Like every birthday card they’ve ever received. I don’t keep my own birthday cards, but I’m having a hard time letting go of theirs for some reason. I got rid of the Precious Moments cake topper from my wedding, but I still have those darn birthday cards the kids’ received. I don’t get it.
And I’m so excited to see the new food-focused blog. That’s great! Will it have a gluten-free section? Ha, ha. I’m kidding. Kind-of.
Hi Jenny! You’ve broken my dream! Just read the bit about Thighs – I dreamt last night I had HUGE thighs – they are quite big but not as big as in my dream! Haha!
Sentiment and the Kids – Don’t know about you but it’s almost like I am trying to halt time, they are growing up and I am hanging on – probably very unhealthy! I’m the same – wedding stuff I can chuck, I’ve even kept the pregnancy tests I did – comments please 🙂
Gluten-free – sure I have something up my sleeve – in your honour of course!
Have Fun Jo
Okay. Since you brought it up — I have the pregnancy tests I took with both of my sons. Yeah, gross. Maybe we should take a picture of the tests and chuck the physical reminders? 🙂
I think you might be onto something with the trying to halt time thing. It really does go so fast and I don’t want to let go of all the adorable little baby and kid memories.
Hurray! You’re back!
Oh, the dreaded mum tum. I had c-sections with both of my boys. After the first one, things pretty much went back to normal. After the second — not so much. Maybe it’s because I had a lot more time to exercise with only one kiddo? Who knows. I have mum butt and thighs too. Wait? Is that even a thing? 😉
Don’t be so hard on yourself. That’s great that you’ve started running again! After a couple of months, you’ll probably be surprised at the difference in what you see (and feel).
Sentimental stuff. I’m having a really tough time with sentimental things as they relate to the kids. Like every birthday card they’ve ever received. I don’t keep my own birthday cards, but I’m having a hard time letting go of theirs for some reason. I got rid of the Precious Moments cake topper from my wedding, but I still have those darn birthday cards the kids’ received. I don’t get it.
And I’m so excited to see the new food-focused blog. That’s great! Will it have a gluten-free section? Ha, ha. I’m kidding. Kind-of.
Hi Jenny! You’ve broken my dream! Just read the bit about Thighs – I dreamt last night I had HUGE thighs – they are quite big but not as big as in my dream! Haha!
Sentiment and the Kids – Don’t know about you but it’s almost like I am trying to halt time, they are growing up and I am hanging on – probably very unhealthy! I’m the same – wedding stuff I can chuck, I’ve even kept the pregnancy tests I did – comments please 🙂
Gluten-free – sure I have something up my sleeve – in your honour of course!
Have Fun Jo
Okay. Since you brought it up — I have the pregnancy tests I took with both of my sons. Yeah, gross. Maybe we should take a picture of the tests and chuck the physical reminders? 🙂
I think you might be onto something with the trying to halt time thing. It really does go so fast and I don’t want to let go of all the adorable little baby and kid memories.
I’m going to my usual St. Patrick’s location tonight — a big grocery store that has live music three nights a week. But I think they waited a little late to book St. Paddy’s Day. They’re having a Latin band performing rock covers. It should be interesting, but it’s the first show of the season and I can’t miss it!
I think it’s very healthy to admit failings and also announce plans. Both help with accountability.
Your new blog sounds like a great idea.
Gip
Gip, Had to jump in and tell you the first time we were in Hawaii for St. Patrick’s day we went to a late dinner at a beach side bar and grill and tried to wrap our minds around listening to O Danny Boy and other Irish standards sung by a sweet little Hawaiian mama. With a strong Hawaiian accent. Kid. You. Not. Still makes us grin when we think about it! Let us know if you get to hear any classics done Latin style! 😉
Sounds a perfect night out to me – variety is the spice of life 🙂
I’m going to my usual St. Patrick’s location tonight — a big grocery store that has live music three nights a week. But I think they waited a little late to book St. Paddy’s Day. They’re having a Latin band performing rock covers. It should be interesting, but it’s the first show of the season and I can’t miss it!
I think it’s very healthy to admit failings and also announce plans. Both help with accountability.
Your new blog sounds like a great idea.
Gip
Gip, Had to jump in and tell you the first time we were in Hawaii for St. Patrick’s day we went to a late dinner at a beach side bar and grill and tried to wrap our minds around listening to O Danny Boy and other Irish standards sung by a sweet little Hawaiian mama. With a strong Hawaiian accent. Kid. You. Not. Still makes us grin when we think about it! Let us know if you get to hear any classics done Latin style! 😉
Sounds a perfect night out to me – variety is the spice of life 🙂
I’m going to my usual St. Patrick’s location tonight — a big grocery store that has live music three nights a week. But I think they waited a little late to book St. Paddy’s Day. They’re having a Latin band performing rock covers. It should be interesting, but it’s the first show of the season and I can’t miss it!
I think it’s very healthy to admit failings and also announce plans. Both help with accountability.
Your new blog sounds like a great idea.
Gip
Gip, Had to jump in and tell you the first time we were in Hawaii for St. Patrick’s day we went to a late dinner at a beach side bar and grill and tried to wrap our minds around listening to O Danny Boy and other Irish standards sung by a sweet little Hawaiian mama. With a strong Hawaiian accent. Kid. You. Not. Still makes us grin when we think about it! Let us know if you get to hear any classics done Latin style! 😉
Sounds a perfect night out to me – variety is the spice of life 🙂
Jo,
Ok first, we missed you, second the new blog sounds awesome, third I admit not to being on Facebook all that much but let us know what the page is and we’ll like you! Fourth, sorry I started counting; but I agree with Jenny when you start the running you’ll be discovering nonmum muscles you didn’t know you had. My health scare put me on a medicine for a bit that caused me to balloon! Not from the joy of having kiddos did I end up with my own version of a mum tum. Slowly but surely the walking, hiking and swimming are getting me into my best shape ever. I’ll never have a model body rapid weight gain is tough on Women’s bodies plus I’m too short; so be it. I’m at peace with that!
As to that sentimental clutter, I wrote a sort of response post on that back in January I think; what helped us is giving ourselves permission to keep something if it was very representative of a beloved person and our relationship to them and then acknowledging that we are not those things; they are not those things; we blocked out time and went through it all, occasionally going slower than was wise so we’d help move each other along. If you have a good friend or a willing spouse, have fun with it go down memory lane remember, even take digital photos of certain things to jog your memory in the future and then let the rest go! It still might take you a few passes through but you can do it! Happy culling, hang in there! 🙂
Hi Gena! Great to hear from you! The best way to get in shape is, I agree with you, just getting outdoors and active. I bet where you hike it’s a lot lovelier than round where I am! There does have to be a point where you accept who you are, in most ways I do, but this Tum is driving me POTTY! 🙂
I think your advice about sentiment is spot on – absolutely sound advice. I’ll re-read it next week and try again. I feel like I am throwing my children’s lives away – which is ridiculous.
Have a lovely weekend on your beautiful Island – Jo
Jo,
Ok first, we missed you, second the new blog sounds awesome, third I admit not to being on Facebook all that much but let us know what the page is and we’ll like you! Fourth, sorry I started counting; but I agree with Jenny when you start the running you’ll be discovering nonmum muscles you didn’t know you had. My health scare put me on a medicine for a bit that caused me to balloon! Not from the joy of having kiddos did I end up with my own version of a mum tum. Slowly but surely the walking, hiking and swimming are getting me into my best shape ever. I’ll never have a model body rapid weight gain is tough on Women’s bodies plus I’m too short; so be it. I’m at peace with that!
As to that sentimental clutter, I wrote a sort of response post on that back in January I think; what helped us is giving ourselves permission to keep something if it was very representative of a beloved person and our relationship to them and then acknowledging that we are not those things; they are not those things; we blocked out time and went through it all, occasionally going slower than was wise so we’d help move each other along. If you have a good friend or a willing spouse, have fun with it go down memory lane remember, even take digital photos of certain things to jog your memory in the future and then let the rest go! It still might take you a few passes through but you can do it! Happy culling, hang in there! 🙂
Hi Gena! Great to hear from you! The best way to get in shape is, I agree with you, just getting outdoors and active. I bet where you hike it’s a lot lovelier than round where I am! There does have to be a point where you accept who you are, in most ways I do, but this Tum is driving me POTTY! 🙂
I think your advice about sentiment is spot on – absolutely sound advice. I’ll re-read it next week and try again. I feel like I am throwing my children’s lives away – which is ridiculous.
Have a lovely weekend on your beautiful Island – Jo
Jo,
Ok first, we missed you, second the new blog sounds awesome, third I admit not to being on Facebook all that much but let us know what the page is and we’ll like you! Fourth, sorry I started counting; but I agree with Jenny when you start the running you’ll be discovering nonmum muscles you didn’t know you had. My health scare put me on a medicine for a bit that caused me to balloon! Not from the joy of having kiddos did I end up with my own version of a mum tum. Slowly but surely the walking, hiking and swimming are getting me into my best shape ever. I’ll never have a model body rapid weight gain is tough on Women’s bodies plus I’m too short; so be it. I’m at peace with that!
As to that sentimental clutter, I wrote a sort of response post on that back in January I think; what helped us is giving ourselves permission to keep something if it was very representative of a beloved person and our relationship to them and then acknowledging that we are not those things; they are not those things; we blocked out time and went through it all, occasionally going slower than was wise so we’d help move each other along. If you have a good friend or a willing spouse, have fun with it go down memory lane remember, even take digital photos of certain things to jog your memory in the future and then let the rest go! It still might take you a few passes through but you can do it! Happy culling, hang in there! 🙂
Hi Gena! Great to hear from you! The best way to get in shape is, I agree with you, just getting outdoors and active. I bet where you hike it’s a lot lovelier than round where I am! There does have to be a point where you accept who you are, in most ways I do, but this Tum is driving me POTTY! 🙂
I think your advice about sentiment is spot on – absolutely sound advice. I’ll re-read it next week and try again. I feel like I am throwing my children’s lives away – which is ridiculous.
Have a lovely weekend on your beautiful Island – Jo
Hi Jo
Yes I’ve missed you too, that must mean that you are no ‘average’ Jo, but a very special Jo that we all miss. I think it’s a good idea to split your blogs, I just hope the workload doesn’t become too much. I have two blogs and have had to scale one back due to lack of time.
I also noticed you weren’t posting anything diet related but didn’t mention it because as a chronic dieter myself I know the personal nature of the whole exercise. Credit to you though for having the courage to admit your lack of commitment to it. It’s not a failure it’s just where you choose to focus your energy.
Ahh Deb that was such a nice comment, thank you.
I hear you about the workload, it will be interesting to see how it goes. Which one did you cut back on? What is your other blog, I haven’t seen a link to it on your site – is it not related to LBS?
Dieting is hard work, in fact I can’t do it, it’s depressing! Reckon I will ramp up the exercise once Spring commits to appearing – it’s messing with us over here at the mo (good days – bad days!)
Have a lovely weekend over in Oz! Jo
Hi Jo
Yes I’ve missed you too, that must mean that you are no ‘average’ Jo, but a very special Jo that we all miss. I think it’s a good idea to split your blogs, I just hope the workload doesn’t become too much. I have two blogs and have had to scale one back due to lack of time.
I also noticed you weren’t posting anything diet related but didn’t mention it because as a chronic dieter myself I know the personal nature of the whole exercise. Credit to you though for having the courage to admit your lack of commitment to it. It’s not a failure it’s just where you choose to focus your energy.
Ahh Deb that was such a nice comment, thank you.
I hear you about the workload, it will be interesting to see how it goes. Which one did you cut back on? What is your other blog, I haven’t seen a link to it on your site – is it not related to LBS?
Dieting is hard work, in fact I can’t do it, it’s depressing! Reckon I will ramp up the exercise once Spring commits to appearing – it’s messing with us over here at the mo (good days – bad days!)
Have a lovely weekend over in Oz! Jo
Hi Jo
Yes I’ve missed you too, that must mean that you are no ‘average’ Jo, but a very special Jo that we all miss. I think it’s a good idea to split your blogs, I just hope the workload doesn’t become too much. I have two blogs and have had to scale one back due to lack of time.
I also noticed you weren’t posting anything diet related but didn’t mention it because as a chronic dieter myself I know the personal nature of the whole exercise. Credit to you though for having the courage to admit your lack of commitment to it. It’s not a failure it’s just where you choose to focus your energy.
Ahh Deb that was such a nice comment, thank you.
I hear you about the workload, it will be interesting to see how it goes. Which one did you cut back on? What is your other blog, I haven’t seen a link to it on your site – is it not related to LBS?
Dieting is hard work, in fact I can’t do it, it’s depressing! Reckon I will ramp up the exercise once Spring commits to appearing – it’s messing with us over here at the mo (good days – bad days!)
Have a lovely weekend over in Oz! Jo