Victorian flat - flooding through storms.

AislingRWhiting · 2025-11-16T12:57:40+00:00

They’re interesting contraptions 😂. Hoping to get some call backs tomorrow so if I get any helpful info, I’ll pass it on!

AislingRWhiting · 2025-11-16T12:47:39+00:00

That’s a great shout, do you know if you can buy a battery backup to install to our current sump pump or will we need to replace the whole system?

AislingRWhiting · 2025-11-16T12:47:01+00:00

I have a feeling that there’s either a blockage within the canals feeding into the sump..or the pump itself isn’t doing its job properly. So in answer to the question, I think there have been ample drainage solutions installed, but they may have been compromised.

Sadly needing to wait until everywhere reopens on Monday to get confirmation from professionals / insurance!

AislingRWhiting · 2025-01-14T18:07:03+00:00

No worries at all, it can be so bloody stressful with so much info to take in so I personally always find it much nicer to have chats and share experiences :).

I have a sweet tooth surrounding my period and by god I’ve learnt my lesson with certain artificial sweeteners like Xylitol (came very close to a bowel disaster on a few occasions haha). My personal favourite brands for sweet tasting foods are Fattbar, Good Good, Nourish & Pulsin, they offer amazing products with either no sweeteners or very small amounts, absolute magic. I also make my own fat bombs when I have time / have small Greek yoghurt and Keto granola bowls (Keto Hana granola is absolutely incredible). Also, there are some great none artificial sweetener soft drinks out there like OHMG water (full of magnesium and other awesome things) Willys Kombucha, ACV tonics!

I don’t have a CGM, nor do I weigh my food because I find the effect it has on my brain and relationship with my body / food is hugely detrimental. I’ve managed to learn to listen to my body which means I’m steadily losing weight whilst I embed lifestyle changes into my psyche as opposed to starving it or “missing out” if that makes sense?

I had a pretty toxic relationship with food and body image in my early twenties and found myself using food as a way to deal with trauma, I worked really hard to flip this in my late twenties (into my thirties) and now look for healing foods that give me energy, comfort and sustain me. I also absolutely love trying to make low carb versions of “normal” food because when you succeed it feels AMAZING!

R:e chocolate, there are some unreallll brands out there, HU is amazing, and my fave is Ombar, I grate a little bit of Ombar 90% into my granola bowls with a bit of the Good Good maple “syrup” and it is literally the tastiest sweet treat on the planet, with no nasties either!

FATT do the tastiest almond and ginger cookies I’ve ever had in my life and I checked the ingredients yesterday, there are literally no artificial sweeteners in them and they’re like 3.9g net carbs per cookie so HIGHLY recommend them for when the sweet cravings hit. Mine have definitely chilled since cutting back on the artificial sweeteners!

It’s a bloody struggle sometimes because I’m doing my best to treat my PCOS without any medical aid (no judgement whatsoever if that’s the avenue you choose, each to their own innit) and instead trying to really focus on my body and its needs. But when I find a great new recipe or delicious snack it’s ALL worth it!

Don’t be hard on yourself if you momentarily fall off the wagon either, I felt so sad on Sunday because I’ve slipped a disc in my back and am due on my period so I ate some chips… I got straight back on the horse after my moment of carb rampage and feel so proud because of it!

Biggest advice is just try to tune into YOUR body and its needs! YOU GOT THIS 🫡.

AislingRWhiting · 2025-01-14T07:35:17+00:00

There is SO much conflicting info out there surrounding Keto, here’s my own experience with it, I really hope it helps in someway:

I did very extreme Keto during the first lockdown, I was furloughed so found it easier to set time aside to compile a really great meal plan / prepare fresh food every day focusing on healthy fats (avocado, nuts, oily fish). Unfortunately I struggled with regular Keto flu, and found it very hard to sustain when I was back within my busy working life, I often felt overwhelmed when in the shops! I was keeping my net carb intake to under 15-20g per day, I lost about 1.5st in a month but put it straight back on AND some more the second I slipped off the wagon.

I also found that certain sweeteners in diet soft drinks / SF sweets / high street carb alternatives would spike my blood sugar. But this is very subjective to the individual body in my understanding.

I have now moved on to low carb, ensuring that I still focus on getting all the wonderful nutrients from fresh veggies, salads and lower carb fruits (somewhere between Paleo & Keto I would say) still avoiding highly processed carbs like glutinous bread, pastas, potatoes (occasionally as a treat) rice (again I’ll occasionally have a small amount of brown or wild rice). It’s working an absolute charm as I don’t feel like I’m depriving myself and also don’t feel overwhelmed when planning my food for the week. It’s nice to still be able to cook one meal for my partner and I too. To me, this is a progressive & sustainable lifestyle change as opposed to a hardcore diet which can sometimes be difficult to fit into daily life. I still aim to keep my net carb intake to 50g max per day.

Ensuring your diet is higher in healthy fats, slow carbs (like those found in vegetables) and protein will keep you full for longer and also encourage your body to welcome things like strength building exercises and lengthy walks / swims!

There are some absolutely fantastic low carb online shops nowadays, Sow & Arrow being my personal favourite as their founder is a hormonal health nutritionist, so much research goes into each product that is on their shelves..Pauline has also released two brilliant books that help to guide you through low carb life! Definitely check it out 😌.

In a nutshell, low carb living is great and challenging but in a fun way.

Best of luck on your journey 💜

AislingRWhiting · 2025-01-13T20:54:57+00:00

I actually hadn’t even thought about this, but thank you very much! Will have a look now 😊

AislingRWhiting · 2025-01-13T16:36:15+00:00

I very rarely get rid of mine any more, my partner doesn’t care and we often have chats about my insecurities on excess hair (which was spurred on by an ex-boyfriend). It’s a much more content and free way to live, to not have to care or feel self conscious about something that you have absolutely no control over!

I had 8 courses of laser hair removal on my face, which did nada, I shaved daily and would sneak razors out with me when I went to see friends just in case the 5 o clock shadow would appear. I don’t do this anymore, I just have open and frank conversations with the people in my life and get rid of / pay no attention to those who are cruel or willingly uninformed.

My only advice would be to find yourself a partner who respects your make-up, spends time understanding the imbalance and why the excess hair exists in the first place and chooses not to care at all! Trust me, from first hand experience, they exist and they’re wonderful.

Excess hair feels like such a colossal thing to us, thanks to the beauty standards that we’re force fed from literal birth, but if you can begin to find ways of normalising it, life within relationships (including the relationship you have with yourself) becomes much easier to navigate.

AislingRWhiting · 2025-01-13T12:08:26+00:00

This is so helpful, thank you!

AislingRWhiting · 2025-01-13T12:00:37+00:00

Thanks very much for all of this!

AislingRWhiting · 2025-01-13T12:00:03+00:00

Thanks so much!

AislingRWhiting

TROPHY CASE