It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas Off Topic Chat

Posy · 13-01-2026 12:23PM

Fair play @DvB for keeping on top of your health like that with regular bloods etc. It's great that it's something that can be controlled with diet and exercise, rather than ending up with bigger issues, or on cholesterol/blood pressure medication further down the line.

I'm trying to up my game too, especially lunch-wise. There's been waaay too many cheeky lunchtime McDonalds etc. over the Christmas/New Year and I dread to think of the extra calories, fats etc. that I've been taking on board. Must. Do. Better. 🫠

CheerLouth · 13-01-2026 12:53PM

Not easy @DvB! It's hard to get the balance right. I'm trying to reduce some body fat & get back to good habits. I've started meal planning & calorie counting - not very exciting but it's helping to get into a good routine of eating actual meals. I'm not sure about anyone else, but when I'm stressed & on the go the whole time, the first thing to go out the window is eating proper meals so I'm trying to reel that back in! Might be time to restart our Christmas Cracker thread 🙃

DvB · 13-01-2026 12:58PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124143375#Comment_124143375

Thankfully my blood pressure is normal and heart appears to be in good health too, the quack just advised that whilst that is the case now, if I didn't address the upward trend of cholesterol/fats that could & would most likely change.

Definitely achievable to address without any medication so that's the plan.

On a day when a consultant colleague of mine passed away (at just 47) it was a timely reminder to not take your health for granted.

Loughc · 13-01-2026 02:10PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124143453#Comment_124143453

Firstly well done for getting checked it's so important. You have all the facts and you know what to do now to improve them.

And no better man to do it, you've crushed it so no doubt you will crush your goals again this year.

I'll always remember I got alot of dental work done in 2017 for the wedding and got on really well with my dentist who was the same age as me, he got married in 2018 and himself and his wife had their first baby that year too, he passed away on holidays when the baby was 3 months old, massive heart attack. I remember that shook me to my core, he was the same age as me, same stage of life as me and he was just gone.

I just got an email saying a different dentist would be taking over his clients. But he still pops into my head easily every year.

SarahLil · 13-01-2026 04:13PM

Fair play to you @DvB taking the first steps you seem to have a good handle on it all

BK5 · 13-01-2026 04:45PM

All the best with developing better habits @DvB, we are practically the same age and I'm in the same boat as you. At the moment, I'm determined to lose a stone. My wife said she never used to see me eat sweet things, but in the last 5 years I've started eating biscuits, cakes etc. Doesn't help that shes always buying the stuff ha ha.

Posy · 13-01-2026 08:37PM

Jesus @Loughc that's awful. And to leave a little three month old baby he would never get to see grow up. 💔 It's no wonder you still think of him from time to time.

I remember Stephen Gately's sister saying on the Boyzone documentary that she has the same hereditary heart condition that killed Stephen, but because they caught it in time for her, she's just on medication and is otherwise fine, whereas Stephen didn't know he had it and was essentially a ticking timebomb. Life is scarily fragile. 🙁

Cork Lass · 13-01-2026 10:04PM

Bloody hell, where to get started on this one !! I was put on a statin a few months ago because my cholesterol has been high for a while and I haven’t been able to get it down. My doctor sent me for a calcium score because I can’t do a stress test and it showed up some blockage, not too bad but not great either. Being on the statin has made me gain weight which I didn’t need. Now, I’m booked for specialist knee surgery in Switzerland on 9th March and I really need to drop about 8kg before that and it’s bloody difficult. I’m in the vicious circle of needing to walk but walking is incredibly difficult and painful and I just can’t seem to get into the head space of healthy eating. I’m a grazer and Christmas really didn’t help 😩.

BK5 · 13-01-2026 10:11PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124145174#Comment_124145174

Damn, it never rains but it pours. Can't really give you any advice that you don't already know, could you get into a pool a few times a week and even walk up and down which is tough enough to do. The diet is so hard to control when you are older as well. I thought I couldn't put on weight, then I hit my 40's :)

Very very best wishes in the next few months, you are a positive person and you'll get through this ❤️

Heroditas · 13-01-2026 10:20PM

Ah hope it goes well for you guys. Not a great start to the New Year for you.

The week is going ok for me. I'm managing to get through a load of work and put a deposit down for a new (second hand) car for Mrs H today. Her current one is 18 years old and barely holding itself together so hopefully we get the new one on Friday.

In far far more exciting news though, I was in Aldi earlier and saw some Christmas stencils and Christmas window snow spray reduced to 9c EACH! Sure at that price, I bought 3 cans of the spray and a stencil set 🤣

Cork Lass · 14-01-2026 12:14AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124145203#Comment_124145203

Thanks @BK5 , I appreciate your comment. Yes, I do get in the sea a few times a week and do my own version of aqua jogging.

DvB · 14-01-2026 07:34AM

Ugh, first 5.30am start of the year...

Off to westport today so may need a week off when I get home 😀

Loughc · 14-01-2026 08:37AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124145770#Comment_124145770

5.30am start but that was because of the kids 😭😭

CheerLouth · 14-01-2026 10:24AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124145174#Comment_124145174

That's a lot on, @Cork Lass! I hope the surgery will go well and you'll be back on your feet swiftly!

kitten_k · 14-01-2026 12:23PM

Hi all just catching up - @DvB and @Cork Lass hope you are nothing feeling better soon!

@antimatterx belated birthday greetings, I agree with the others - 30s are one of the best decades

@Loughc seeing as you’re enjoying Traitors - will we ever get you back for a game of WW?

For the discussion re the weekend of St Patrick’s weekend - the Sunday is also Mothers Day so a busy weekend altogether

In my world Christmas is a distance memory as my long awaited for baby girl arrived on Thursday so I’ve been living in the newborn bubble 💕

CheerLouth · 14-01-2026 12:37PM

Congratulations @kitten_k! I'm delighted for you! I hope you are both doing well & that recovery will be ok for you! Enjoy those cuddles, there's nothing like it ❤️

gidget · 14-01-2026 12:38PM

Congratulations on your new arrival @kitten_k 👶🍼

Loughc · 14-01-2026 01:54PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124146319#Comment_124146319

Congratulations Kitten that’s fantastic news!!!

Enjoy the newborn bubble it’s the best!

I’ll defo be back for a game as soon as I find one outside of month end 😂😂

kitten_k · 14-01-2026 02:07PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124146602#Comment_124146602

Ah month end, I won’t miss that for the next few months. Didn’t manage to escape year end before I finished up for maternity leave 🙈😂

Cork Lass · 14-01-2026 03:14PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124146319#Comment_124146319

Congratulations @kitten_k , that’s fantastic news. Another little elf 🥳.

Cork Lass · 14-01-2026 03:15PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124145981#Comment_124145981

Thanks @CheerLouth , I’m keeping my fingers crossed.

Aisling(",) · 14-01-2026 03:53PM

@kitten_k Huge congratulations on your baby girl! You'll have very different Christmases moving forward!

SodiumCooled · 14-01-2026 04:05PM

Congrats on the new arrival! Great month to be born (when you are younger anyway) as it makes Jan have something to look forward to - yes my birthday is this month also.

Fabio · 14-01-2026 05:48PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124147026#Comment_124147026

And me too! In a way it's a nice come-down after Christmas but it's not a great time to organise anything - everyone is broke and not really in the mood after the socialising of Christmas. Completely understandable stuff and I've never been one for big parties but there's something nice about a summer birthday and the freedom that comes with that!

Heroditas · 14-01-2026 06:01PM

Congratulations @kitten_k that's wonderful news 😊

BK5 · 14-01-2026 06:53PM

Congratulations @kitten_k , wonderful news, hope you and your little one are doing great.

Posy · 14-01-2026 08:01PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124146319#Comment_124146319

Congratulations on the new arrival @kitten_k 💛 xx

freshpopcorn · 14-01-2026 08:18PM

Regarding the whole cholesteral thing it seems to be in my family & medication is the only thing that really worked. So, I'm going to live with my head in the clouds.

Then there's the dementia on my fathers side & heart issues.

My gramdmother on mothers side had macular degeneration in the 2000's and now it's popped up on my fathers side of the family also.

Best of look to anybody who's trying diets/new lifestyle choices. It's hard work.

Congratulations @kitten_k

Also, what type of car are you getting @Heroditas ? Mine is also 18 years old amd getting a bit tired.

DvB · 14-01-2026 09:16PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124146319#Comment_124146319

Huge congrats!

SarahLil · 14-01-2026 09:23PM

congratulations @kitten_k what a wonderful start to the year xx

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas Off Topic Chat

Comments

"I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year" Charles Dickens

"I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year" Charles Dickens

"I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year" Charles Dickens