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Original poster

To ask for your best small changes to improve health and lifestyle?

61 replies

Tiamaria86 · 29/04/2024 21:25

I have been feeling so rubbish lately and really just want to start to be a bit healthier but whenever I have made changes in the past I think I have gone to big and just not been consistent.

So what are your best tips for small changes that I can be consistent with?

OP posts:
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gannett · 30/04/2024 14:25

Listen to your body.

Broadly, you want to aim to exercise more, eat better, improve sleep. Easy to say those things but important to remember that they're all very individual, they're not one size fits all.

For me, the one thing that makes me sleep better is going to bed when I'm feeling sleepy. As simple as listening to my body clock. I don't need black-out blinds or a screen ban. That may not work for you!

In terms of exercise I run and do simple resistance work, but I do one or the other most days. I don't time myself running and I hate gyms, but that all works for me. You can start small and gradually increase your load, listening to your body. Again, it may not work for you! Some people thrive with a more regimented approach.

The thing you'll stick with and build into your daily routine is the thing your body and mind enjoy doing. Listen to them and don't feel you have to take the same path as other people to get to the same destination.

WarriorN · 30/04/2024 14:11

Oh, I'm doing the green tea. Michael Mosely one. I swear it actually chills me out. Always avoided as it's a bit caffeinated but it doesn't seem to affect me, and indeed seems to be calming.

WarriorN · 30/04/2024 14:10

That's massive, well done! You'll get faster too.

Original poster
Tiamaria86 · 30/04/2024 13:21

Done 5000 steps at lunch time really easily so I'm hoping that's something I can just incorporate in my day without really thinking about it.

OP posts:
WarriorN · 30/04/2024 10:42

Just switched my 80% chocolate to 100% and my taste buds have obviously adapted as I love it!

caringcarer · 30/04/2024 09:38

Go for a 30 minutes walk everyday. I drive to a nice park to walk around because it's nice and flat to walk.

Original poster
Tiamaria86 · 30/04/2024 08:41

Some great tips here. Interesting about the caffeine on an empty stomach.

This morning I had a pint of water first thing and then a bit of greek yoghurt before I had coffee. That's an easy change.

I will definitely go for a walk at lunchtime as well and that should get easier with the nicer weather.

OP posts:
HooverTheRoof · 30/04/2024 08:30

I stopped drinking caffeine after midday and it has made a massive difference to the quality of my sleep. I fall asleep quicker and sleep more deeply, it's really helped. I'm also starting to realise processed food makes me feel more sluggish and hungry, I'm finding it harder to cut that down though.

calexico · 30/04/2024 06:51

I did dry January and realised I didn't miss the alcohol. So now I don't drink at home unless it's a special occasion.

TrustPenguins · 30/04/2024 06:45

Theoldwoman · 30/04/2024 06:28

Fresh air. Every . Single. Day.

A short walk every day.

A hot shower or bath before bed.

Something calming to listen to in bed.

A cat or dog.

Agree with the walk every day, even if it's 20 minutes round the block.

Behindthescenesnow · 30/04/2024 06:41

riverlodge90 · 29/04/2024 21:43

Having a small portion of fat with my coffee in the morning. Caffeine on an empty stomach raises cortisol levels.
I have a slice cheese, baby bel, few spoon fulls of Greek yogurt before drinking it

I no longer get an energy crash before lunch and only have the one coffee in the morning.

This is interesting!

LunaNorth · 30/04/2024 06:40

Go alcohol-free.

Solasum · 30/04/2024 06:38

While waiting for deodorant to dry, pick an exercise and do 10 of them. Anything is better than nothing.

If you have old veg in the bottom of the fridge, make it into soup and have it for lunch.

Theoldwoman · 30/04/2024 06:28

Fresh air. Every . Single. Day.

A short walk every day.

A hot shower or bath before bed.

Something calming to listen to in bed.

A cat or dog.

qwertyqwertyqwertyqwerty · 30/04/2024 06:22

I read the vital thing is to firmly establish the habit, then you can extend it. So do 5 mins per day everyday, then extend to 10 after a month, and on and on until you get to whatever you want.

If you start with 30 mins you skip a day, then two, then falter.

BitOutOfPractice · 30/04/2024 06:18

My small change is this: sky before screen. Get up, dressed, breakfast, outside before picking up your phone or looking at a screen.

Devilshands · 30/04/2024 06:16

If you crave sugar, have some fruit instead.

If you crave salt, have a one person pack of popcorn (44 calories).

They have the same effect as a huge bag of crisps or slab or chocolate but you don’t feel guilty after!

I’d also say walk more - get off the tube, train or bus a stop early. Little things like that make a huge difference

Lampzade · 30/04/2024 01:34

Sleep more
Walk more

HelpIneedaworktop · 30/04/2024 01:31

Sounds stupid but making the bed each morning. It’s always a better day. In health (energy levels or just even ability to ignore any ill health), happiness and productivity.

Maddy70 · 30/04/2024 00:49

Eat nothing that comes out of a packet. So reduce your processed foods.

Thelnebriati · 30/04/2024 00:44

I found this one a bit tough as I used to have tea or coffee for breakfast; but stop having a caffeinated drink on an empty stomach. It can trigger the release of stress hormones.

MissMoan · 30/04/2024 00:35

I have a rope-less 'skipping rope' in my hard floor kitchen (It is basically two handles with a small rope and weights on the end of each).
Every time I boil a kettle, wait for the toaster, or wait for the microwave etc, I skip.

Ariela · 30/04/2024 00:11

Smaller plate size = smaller meal looks just as big.

babyelephantwalk · 29/04/2024 23:55

Eat beans and greens.

Lucy Long Socks · 29/04/2024 23:32

Try to cut out U.P.Foods. It's hard but worth it. Look at what you eat and drink then cut out, say, fizzy drinks first, then biscuits. That kind of thing. I went vegan (whole foods whenever possible) That absolutely transformed me. I lost weight. A couple of medical problems cleared up. I feel so zen, so chill that I cant explain. It's like I'm on medication. But I realise veganism is difficult and actually a moral stance. So it's just a suggestion as I feel so good. But cutting back on ultra processed foods will be good too.

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