AIBU to ask you if a daily habit has transformed your life?

On the vitamin D point, I suffered with sciatica for over a year with the symptoms changing a bit over time. Finally the pain in my leg became too intrusive so I saw a nurse practitioner at my GP. She referred me for physio and concurrently prescribed high strength vit D. The leg pain went almost overnight with the vitamins

I also have a query: those on the 16:8 diet routine, I think this could be something I could manage but need a couple of cups of milky tea first thing, after which I can manage to 11-12 without eating. Would I be ruining the fasting 16 hours with milky tea? I guess the answer is yes...

@cremuel regarding extra vitamins on top of a multivitamin, for me this was prompted by the current outbreak and the highlighting of the fact that high-strength vitamin D helps apparently (over 1000 IU, so perhaps 3000 IU together with vitamin K2), and that in the event of illness a high-strength vitamin C (but slow release form) might help. Also I need extra iron due to not eating meat.

I unearthed my planner/bujo from under the pile on the floor yesterday and spent time yesterday evening planning for today. I have it open where I sit in the living room and keep looking at it. It is keeping me on track with jobs/admin.
Today I need to find my water bottle - it is around somewhere!
Plus i need to stand on one leg!

Is there value in taking additional Vit C, Vit D, etc., even though the multivitamin contains at least the RDA for these?

Depends on if you've a history of deficiencies in these areas and the type of vitamins. Vitamin Bs & Cs, more likely just making expensive urine as they're water-soluble and the body doesn't really store them well, but if you've previously had deficiencies in them it can be useful to take extra or change multivitamins to one with a higher amount.

Vitamin D may be of more benefit as a common deficiency in the UK. The nurse practitioner who helped me (after GPs advice to just take a multivitamin after I'd been severely deficient repeatedly) that I need a separate one with at least 20-25IUs on an on-going basis. Her guidance and daily habits of pills has transformed my health.

Before that, getting into a habit of vitamin shakes from the chemist for a while was really helpful and transformative for me, they helped me regain my appetite way better than multivitamin pills. I'd say that was really the first step, but I'd be nowhere near where I am now without the nurse practitioner's advice.

Thank you @Manolin
I, too, have chickens to let out and a veg patch I weed in the cool of the morning

I developed my rituals slowly, adding in a new one once I had the previous ones well embedded. I find them helpful and comforting, although if I don't get to do all of them, because of circumstances, I'm not upset (although I wouldn't want to miss the stretching, vitamins, journalling or meditations for more than a day, as they keep me feeling mobile )

I am habit-obsessed but still struggle to make them stick.

I've read Atomic Habits (James Clear) The Power of Habit (Charles Duhigg) and Tiny Habits (BJ Fogg)

I've listened to The Habit Blueprint (Patrik Eblad) and In the Habit by Ash Ranpura and Alice Fraser on Audible.

I recommend all of those - Charles Duhigg perhaps my favourite listen but BJ Fogg the best for advising on how to actually implement the habits. I think his concept of 'shine' is potentially transformative for me if I can just discipline myself to implement it more.

I enjoyed them all and definitely my life has changed as a result but in small ways - I'm not a completely different person. I have too many long-ingrained bad habits I guess - mostly around being disorganised and generally messy and dealing badly with emotions. I've not yet been successful in making meditation stick - my best run was about 6 months of 10 minutes most days.

The habit that stuck best - leaving my phone downstairs. Ironically last night was the first time I didn't do that in I don't know how long I can remember and I stayed up reading this thread! The reason - life thrown into turmoil due to two kids with serious hospital admissions recently so everything out of whack - and that is a point to remember - things will happen that challenge your habits but the important thing to remember is a break is not a failure.

I do daily gratitude too and found that the Six Minute Diary (got it on Amazon) has been a life-changer for me - really helped me tackle depression. I often take a break but never for long and always find my mood better when I'm using it consistently. I'm on my third copy and I suspect it will become a lifelong habit.

I have a clockwork morning routine but sticking to it isn't always easy. Of course getting to bed on time would help - that would be the one habit I'd absolutely love.

Advice to anyone starting new habits based on this thread - do it small. If you try two minutes of yoga before bed every night there's a much higher chance you will be doing 20 minutes a day this time next year than if you try doing 20 minutes a day from day 1.

For those taking vitamins: I take a multivitamin and assumed this has everything I need in it. Is there value in taking additional Vit C, Vit D, etc., even though the multivitamin contains at least the RDA for these?

Have written down all the good stuff in this thread. Some of it I already do but I want to make time for the others. When you have a small child though (mine’s 20mo) and you work it’s a lot harder to fit in the Pilates, meditation etc. Ironically even harder in the holidays as the LO is not at creche! I suspect most of the people on this thread don’t work/work from home and/or their kids are older. (Tell me if I am wrong though!)

As for what I can offer others I would just say that keeping a paper diary to organise my life helps enormously. Means I spend less time staring at my phone and am more likely to remember everything that’s going on too. Everything gets written down. For similar reasons I would say wear a watch (rather than checking the time on your phone) and leave EARLY for stuff (yes, even if this means getting up earlier). TBH I just don’t understand those people who are perennially late and couldn’t live with that level of stress.

My new daily habits are also taking vitamins. I always made sure to give my DC plenty of vitamins and supplements, but couldn't get in the habit of taking them myself. So now I take vitamin D, vitamin C, iron and a multivitamin. Hopefully it will help in the autumn/winter...
Gretchen Rubin has a saying: what you do every day matters more than what you do once in a while.

Love this thread - we need more like this!

The only 'good' habit I have is normally taking a probiotic (BioKult in my case), washed down with a small glass of Kefir in the morning.
Then not eating until 1.00 and trying to finish supper by 7.30. I think the supper thing will become easier in winter.

I'm trying to meditate and recommend Mindsprings.org and the lovely Alistair Appleton.

Can anyone recommend a good daily paper planner. Never stick to digital lists somehow...

Someone mentioned Gretchen Rubin above - she actually has a book all about how good/bad habits work: Better than before. I haven't read it, but a lot of what she says makes sense, if you can be as disciplined as she is.

I’ve downloaded the Wim Hof app and did the breathing and cold shower this morning - I feel amazing!

I also drinking more water - I’m following whoever suggested a pint first thing, before lunch, before supper and before bed and that feels really good too.

I’m also googling guided journals but don’t know where to start! I want something fairly lightweight otherwise I won’t keep up with it.

Such a great thread - thanks to everyone for their inspiring ideas!

Daily fast paced walk. I started this at the beginning of lockdown and have continued with this habit.

I have always exercised, but found that I have lost more weight by walking six miles a day than I ever did at the gym.
Going to the gym makes me ravenous and therefore I tend to overeat. Walking doesn’t have the same effect on my appetite .
Furthermore , it has had a beneficial effect on my mental wellbeing

Good that you are here with us @Catmaiden

@CarlyWarly1980
Did my first beginners yoga with Adrienne today. Loved it. Now off for a shower and a walk. Keep re reading this thread some great ideas and so good for your mental health too.

Getting up early and doing exercise and the basic household tasks. Admittedly not every morning yet but on the days that I do it I feel like I could take on the world. And I've NEVER been a morning person.

And for spelling your name wrong. I keep hearing a "d" in there in my head!

Apologies for assuming @Manolin!

Hours turbo first thing then don’t eat until early lunch. Lost 2 stone and dropped 2 dress sizes

Do you mind explaining exactly how you make it and what grains you need please?

23trains we make our own. It take 5 minutes in the morning and I started with a small bag Of the grains from a supplier online £5. As it keeps growing I’ve since given some to family, friends, neighbours. Ask around if anyone you know does it and they’ll give you some. The supermarkets stuff is ok a bit sweet but ends up more expensive. Much better to grow your own.

@FoodologistGirl Do you make your own kefir or can you recommend a brand?

We make kefir smoothies every morning with a few berries and half a banana. Our digestion is so much better. It’s also a great immunity and around health booster.

I’ve just ordered one on Amazon after reading this thread 😊 there’s quite a few to choose from.

I’ve been browsing but the choice is bewildering!