What you've learnt in 2023

[countrytweed]

It's that time of year we all become a bit reflective... and it got me thinking about things I've learnt this year (many though podcasts which I absolutely love). Thought it might be fun to hear other people's lessons/revelations that might be useful for others 😊 Here are mine...

1. Compound interest (I know I'm late to this one) and the fact you don't have to be rich to invest. Man I wish it was taught in school. Have now started investing through Vanguard.
2. 42 is by no means too early to be perimenopausal. Also having read a lot about menopause (cheers Davina), you should research and ask for the HRT that's best for you, if you decide that's the route you want to go down... don't just accept the bog standard your GP offers you.
3. Eat and exercise according to where you are in your cycle, not the same all month (listen to Dr Mindy Pelz).
4. After 40 especially, more protein + weight training = longevity.
5. The power of "Let them" (listen to Mel Robbins) - you can't change/heal/fix others, don't waste energy on trying, just let them be.
6. Reading is the only way to live multiple lives.
7. Getting a dog is the key to happiness.

Would love to hear yours (doesn't have to be as long!)

I learned how precious and fragile life can be. I went from being physically strong and able to being completely dependent on other people and surgeons to fix me. It can happen in a flash.

I realised how bad pain can get and how nice it is to not be in pain now. Also that people love you more than you'll ever realise.

@ForThisPost1 no, not yet. I'm formulating my escape plan at the moment!

The quiet, seemingly nice people, are the ones you sometimes have to watch out for the most. 2023 has really been an eye opener in that respect for me .

@FizzyStream Definitely looking into nail wraps! Gels have ruined my nails 😬
Also out of interest, what IF window worked for you... I do 10am - 6pm and not noticing a huge difference.

@Artichoke88 Love this - it's how we should be talking to ourselves.

@countrytweed @Cwtshcwtsh they're amazing. Put my first set on last night and I'm well impressed! I've used holy grail nails.

@Cwtshcwtsh I was doing 18:6 so eating between 2pm and 8pm but just either staying the same or gaining weight so very slowly pushed up to 20:4 and now regularly do 22:2 eating only between 4pm and 6pm and this is where I've been able to lose the weight.

Not eating after 6pm has definitely helped and also taking some form of Celtic salts/electrolytes to stave off hunger or light headedness also helps when getting used to longer fasting windows. I can even do the odd 24-25 hour fast now too which boosts the loss. Got to the point where I don't really need to lose any more so I just eat normally at weekends now and it's a great balance!

Sorry the fasting info was meant for @countrytweed

Place marking.

I’d like to come back with something deeper for for now -

Center Parcs is amazing and we should go more often

@FizzyStream ooh interesting - so essentially one meal a day? Might give the 4 hour window a go and see how I do (week days always so much easier for me, especially around Christmas)

@PinkPlantCase Agree, also big fan of CP... we go to Elveden

That your whole life can change in a split second. Enjoy it while you can.

@countrytweed yes one meal a day, then I can eat what I want 😂 it sounds daunting but if you ease into it slowly then it's much easier than you'd expect and you can just keep pushing back as long as you can hold out until you find that it starts working then the motivation kicks in because you finally see the scales moving and the clothes getting looser! I found not weighing too much and just going by clothes fit also helped. Focusing on the scales can be a bit demotivating.

@FizzyStream Thanks so much for your reply - and huge congrats on the weightloss 💪🏼 You've inspired me!

THE GOOD

That being truly happy in your work is the most life changing thing

That I have three absolutely amazing dc and parents that most could wish for and that I am so lucky to have a dh that makes the second part of my dream team

That although the world is a funny place right now I work amongst some of the most humble beautiful strong women I have ever met

THE BAD

Mental health is a mind fuck

Stress really ages a person

Money really doesn't solve or help everything

THE UGLY

The mental health services in this country are absolutely shambolic and it terrifies me after seeing what a family member has had to endure this year

Being completely helpless in some of the worst situations I've been in so far in my entire life still gives me nightmares and I wake up sweating some nights.

The pain and suffering innocent people are going through because of people in power has rocked the world horrendously.

I’ve learned loads of new history by learning about places I visit and visiting places I want to learn about. Totally indulging in this evolving passion I have for history makes me very happy. And I’ve had weekends away by myself totally focused on the history of where I am.

I’ve learned how to floss with a water flossed. I have MN to thank for that.

I’ve learned a few new recipes to spice up the weekly menus.

I’ve learned to live in a slightly grubbier house.

This is a great thread!

Ill be back with mine

That I need to take control of my aches, Parkinson’s weaknesses, bone scan oesopinia too.
joined aqua fit, oesopath tomm, I need to mange better and not gain weight again

Thank you for this tip @countrytweed Im going yo listen to Mel Robbins podcast 🙏

Thanks @countrytweed I only had my surgery a week ago and still in recovery, but already feeling I should have done this far sooner and yes, definitely, "Listen to your body "is what I am taking from this.

I have anxiety that I think I'll always live with, but if I take a minute to breathe and not react straight away I can move through it.
When my husband said be stronger and I said I can't, I absolutely can.
My little boy is the best thing that has ever happened to me, it is exhausting and frustrating but I will try with everything I have to be the mum he deserves, that I didn't have, because although he's too young to realise or know, he gives me strength to keep going

look after your body and mind
Some people are very shallow, don’t sweat it.
be inspired and inspire others.

Funnily enough that Dr Mindy Peltz is a chiropractor not a physician.

That made me uncomfortable because she doesn’t clarify it and I couldn’t find anything in her book making sure people knew that.

I've learnt:

• If you really put your mind to something you can achieve so much (lost 60lb and reversed T2D).
• That once a cheater, always a cheater (found that out a week ago).
• That I don't need to eat as much food as I thought I did.
• That I can't control what happens, but I can control my reaction to it.

@NonanteNeuf That's interesting, I never knew that. I've followed some of her suggestions (lifestyle change during perimenopause) and it's worked for me... but interesting it's mainly from researching studies.

@Franticbutterfly Congrats on a 60lb loss, that's very impressive! What worked for you, if you don't mind me asking?