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By Heidi Soholt
I’m writing this with a very guilty conscience. I’ve been a v bad mum today as I’ve been really ratty with the kids. My son, bless him, has just dropped off to sleep after crying in his bed for about half-an-hour following a series of arguments with my good self. I feel like my usual enthusiasm and patience has left the building, and no, it’s not linked to anything remotely hormonal.
The reason behind my bad behaviour is, I think, my New Year’s resolution. I must apologise in advance for its cheesiness, but I have vowed to give up alcohol, naughty treats and also promised to exercise more. It’s almost become a cliché these days hasn’t it? Going on a January diet, and so on.
The alcohol bit has been surprisingly easy to do. Having over-indulged over the festive period, I quite relished a chance to clean out my system. Being a major wino who usually manages to sink two to three bottles per week – the change has done me good. I no longer feel groggy on a Sunday morning and have more energy generally. I also look less bloated. Having managed a couple of nights out without breaking my resolution, I’ve also quite enjoyed the feeling of achievement. I must, however, admit to experiencing faint panic when my partner suggested that we carry on abstaining indefinitely – yikes, wasn’t going to take it quite that far! I can see myself turning into one of those secret bingers, with a stash hidden under the sink.
No, I put the blame for my moodiness squarely on the ‘no naughty treats’ bit. There was an item on Radio Two today about how hard it is for women to deny themselves food. Apparently men find it easier to diet, and it’s all to do with the fact that they have less of an emotional attachment to the whole business. This is definitely true in my household – while I have had to battle huge cravings for something sweet, particularly in the evenings, my other half has easily slipped into the habit of not having dessert. Not fair!
Giving up treats has been like quitting smoking for me – and my poor kids have taken the brunt. It hasn’t helped that my son is a picky eater. I’m forever trying to cram food into him while simultaneously denying myself anything remotely tasty. It felt like the final straw today when he balked at eating my delicious, home-made, strawberry frozen yogurt. If only he could walk in my shoes for a day……. But then, as my partner always says, kids just don’t do empathy.
Maybe I can redeem myself by doing something more positive tomorrow. I could sort out that huge, tangled mass of toys stashed in my son’s cupboard so that he could actually play with some of it. I could also put in a long overdue order for new name tags for his school uniform. Would spare him all the ear-bashing he gets whenever he comes home missing an item of clothing.
Changing the subject completely, I simply can’t write this blog without mentioning the fact that Obama was sworn in as President today. With all the difficulties that there are in the world right now, this man has given us genuine hope. History has been made and I am proud to have witnessed it. Good luck Obama – and stay safe.
By Ann-Maree Morrison
I agree with that one. Was great to see the inauguration of Obama go so smoothly with no maniacs interrupting the proceedings. It’s fantastic to see atlast and let’s all hope for all our sakes he can sort out the economy in the US to start.
As far as the kids go, I thought it was the full moon but I am also very ratty with the kids. It doesn’t help that they are also ratty with their dad and I and so, according to my friends, are half their kids. I had put it down to the pre-teenage grumps as it generally is my older two at the moment. But I am told by a friend that, especially with boys, holes in the walls are not uncommon due to fist banging from frustration, so best to let them alone to cool off in their rooms alone with no dialogue! Maybe it is that 2-3 week holiday at Christmas and now back to dark mornings in the cold and snow heading off to school and not so dark but still quite dull evenings coming home from school with no sunshine.
As for me, got to be hormonal but could also be that cutting back on the sweets and treats after Christmas…apart from…no Heidi, I never had that big xxxx coffee cake with walnuts on top the other day! It must have been someone else hoovered that one up when I wasn’t looking…because remember I said “oh my goodness, look at that it is absolutely huge. I couldn’t possibly eat it all. I’ll need to take some home in a doggy bag for the kids!” No doggy bag went home.
After a few weeks of being so good I decided that I just could not control myself anymore. What the heck, you only live once, so as long as you also do some exercise to counteract it the odd cake has got to be good for you! I’m sticking with that theory. Will try to work it off at exercise class.
Speaking of which I go to that class every week and feel so much better for having gone all red in the face within 10 seconds of starting, getting out of breath and struggling to keep up with the young and skinny trendy girls from high school who are also doing it to lose the extra inches after Christmas. Only problem is they don’t have any to lose!!!!
It’s called “Body Attack” as it’s high impact aerobics. May as well call it “manslaughter” for me as I live by the only fan in the room and try to copy Kate Winslet at the front of the titanic with the wind in my hair…doesn’t do anything to cool my face down though. The pushups are the killer at the end and I die on the floor in a heap wondering why I pay for this week in week out. My token gesture at fitness for the winter months I guess.
Happy exercising everyone.
