What’s the one single change you made that most benefited your health?

[ethelfleda]

I feel rubbish all the time lately. Lethargic and wound up etc. I’m sure I need more sleep, more exercise, less sugar and less caffeine etc but I’m not feeling particularly motivated!
What is the one single thing you’ve done that has made the biggest positive impact on your health or wellbeing?

To add: ideally you would get all the nutrients you need in a bioavailable form from food & those in supplement form are not always readily absorbed but where there are deficiencies, supplementation can be necessary.

not saying i do all(any!) of these now.bad kate.
but these are ones that helped me.
let my toxic relationship go.still working on it.
yoga
breathing and finding how to do it properly and then put it into action when stressed,anxious etc.
mindfullness.amazing and has literally saved my life
dont diet.its all bullshit.it can only ever work with a balanced diet and exercise but no guilt,no dieting,no cutting or counting jsut health that includes all foods.
running
keep reminding myself social media is lies and it doesnt mean anything

Definitely going vegan.

I instantly had more energy and a year and a half on I still do. I used to fall asleep at 9pm, now I'm still up and lively until midnight. Also, my cat allergy disappeared overnight, I'd had it for 10 years. Also, I haven't even had a sniffle in 18 months; everyone around me has had all kinds of bugs, colds and flu and I haven't caught anything. Also, it seems to be reversing the aging process and my skin has a lot more glow. Also, I feel mentally healthier, more on the ball, but also calmer. I haven't lost any weight though - boo. I don't take any supplements.

therapy

Re diet, if you're interested in making changes I recommend reading the 5:2 diet by Michael Mossley even if you're not trying to lose weight. The science behind intermittent fasting is compelling & the effect on health is remarkable.

Giving up caffeine.

1. I took an honest view of my lifestyle and assessed how that would support me over the next 10 years if I continue

1. decided how I'd like my health to be in 10 years

1. actively took steps to reduce my weight and increase energy levels

1. I'm a work in process, I have a 1 year plan to shift excess weight and incorporate more exercise... starting with an extra walk every day after my dog walk and choosing real food over processed sugary stuff... when I get a sweet craving I have a ryveta with marmite in a bid to disassociate sugar

I went to therapy, my anxiety got a lot worse after a traumatic miscarriage and I couldn't focus on anything after. Went to a bereavement therapists for a few months and felt like a new person. Got me motivated again and improved my anxiety.

Weirdly I have recently (in the last two weeks) stopped taking my multi vitamins (which I had been taking religiously for two years) as I was suffering with horrendous headaches almost daily which wouldn't budged even after trying countless amounts of different types of pain killers and since stopping I have had one headache!!! I googled the side effects of taking too many vitamins and couldn't believe it! I have a fairly healthy diet so must be getting what I need vitamin wise through my food. I have also cut out coffee that could have also helped my headaches. Next I need to tackle the amount of chocolate I consume!

Stopped smoking and drinking 3 years ago

Less anxiety, much healthier and hopefully sticking around longer for my son.

@mindproject do you take b12?

I started walking to and from work. Half an hour walk each way.

Have loads more energy, and save Nearly £100 a month.

Yoga and regular outdoor walking (with dogs) have helped me. I didn't have time for either but find that doing them makes me more efficient (as less time is spent being anxious!)

Low-carbing has helped me lost about 50lb of excess weight. Carrying that about was probably killing me fastest - so is the 'one thing' you asked for.

Invested in sleeping better routine: Only 1coffee in the morning, no mobile phones in bed ( leave it downstairs to avoid temptation), Go to bed and wake up everyday at the same time. Sleep at least 7 hours a night. Was having trouble sleeping and tired all the time. A lot better now.

Coldest bedroom possible - not quite sleeping outside as I have DH to consider but I take a frozen water bottle to bed in summer, sleep without covers, windows wide open when it’s snowing etc. He just rolls into the duvet and we are both happy!

It seems to kickstart my immune system. I love the sun and light during the day but if I don’t get my fix of ultra cold nights I feel terrible. For some reason aircon doesn’t quite work the same.

Getting the GP to run some blood test:

Vit D tablets for an 8 week course
B12 Injections - 6 over 2 weeks, then 1 every 12 weeks

Was shocked at how low my levels were and the difference these have made.

Not a specific health related tip but I found everything changed when I started making time in the evening to schedule my day. It meant that I could accurately plan in exercise and proper meals/proper food shop so I had something to stick to and know that nothing else was suffering. Previously I'd end up working longer or cleaning/tidying etc longer to get it finished and that would leave no time for self care. By planning it in it meant that I could prioritise everything - including sleep and down time. It also means that if there genuinely isn't time in a particular day then that's fine and I don't spend the day feeling grumpy with myself for not fitting it in.

Stopped smoking 15 years ago. Don't allow spirits in the house since about a year ago. Started moving. I can run 5k now thanks to couch to 5k and do that once or twice a month if I can. I try to avoid fizzy drinks, even the zero sugar ones. Water is better.

Going vegan, I tried years ago but couldn't keep it up, now there's so many vegan options it's got so easy. I feel so much better all round, has even improved my menopause symptoms

I’ve been shocked at the difference doing just a little bit of exercise has made. I’m only doing the bare minimum but I’m no longer out of breath going up the stairs or bending over to tie my shoelaces.

It was embarrassing really.

Stopped eating and drinking (other than water) anything after 7 PM - at least for evenings that we were sat at home. A slow but steady weight loss has been the result, plus sleeping better.

Stopped eating meat, exercise hard 3 times a week and lift weights for 40 mins, take vitamin d every day, I only drink at weekends and then only about 8 units, no sugar in week bar maybe a wee Fredo as a treat, 5htp, take vitamin b12, make sure I have sex!

This is a tricky one but honestly, I'd say the hardest but most important part for me was changing my attitude.

I'd always found an excuse before to not do it. I'd commit for a few weeks and then flake out.

Now, it's always there in my mind because I'm okay with putting my health first. It's quite a big priority in my life that I didnt have before. Maybe my DS changed my perspective, I dont know... but suddenly looking after myself is very high up on my list. To me, now, looking after myself is a form of self respect.

Keto diet, gave up alcohol and swapped tea and coffee for hot water with lemon.

Lost 4 stone (2001)
Stopped smoking (2009)
Started running (2015)

I still do lots of things I know I shouldn’t (too much wine, bad sleep habits) but if I hadn’t changed the above then I hate to think how I’d feel now.