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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

What a healthy habit you started which improved your life?

418 replies

C1239 · 29/04/2022 19:51

Looking for some inspiration - what is a good/healthy habit you started and noticed and improvement in how you felt from it?

OP posts:
Menora · 02/05/2022 18:58

Cutting out alcohol

Juliecloud · 02/05/2022 19:00

This is such a good thread! I need to start doing some of these things. But which ones? There are so many to choose from!

squishymamma · 02/05/2022 19:25

Like 90% of responses here mine is also exercise - have to get up an hour earlier to get it in before DC wake up but it means I'm not a grumpy mum.

For those asking (@Jmaho @pastypirate @coodawoodashooda and potential others) I highly recommend Pamela Reif's workouts on YouTube, she has a 10 minute HIIT one that is brilliant and loads that are dance themed but really make you work hard. No way I'll ever look like her 😂but at least I have some fun while dying from the effort! If you follow her on Instagram she also posts workout schedules every week, including one for those short on time - where she tells you which videos of hers to do each day. Means I can just follow it mindlessly and don't have to scroll through 2731 videos trying to find a good one!

coodawoodashooda · 02/05/2022 20:34

squishymamma · 02/05/2022 19:25

Like 90% of responses here mine is also exercise - have to get up an hour earlier to get it in before DC wake up but it means I'm not a grumpy mum.

For those asking (@Jmaho @pastypirate @coodawoodashooda and potential others) I highly recommend Pamela Reif's workouts on YouTube, she has a 10 minute HIIT one that is brilliant and loads that are dance themed but really make you work hard. No way I'll ever look like her 😂but at least I have some fun while dying from the effort! If you follow her on Instagram she also posts workout schedules every week, including one for those short on time - where she tells you which videos of hers to do each day. Means I can just follow it mindlessly and don't have to scroll through 2731 videos trying to find a good one!

Thank you

FelixMadrigal · 02/05/2022 21:37

I need to make a list!

pixie5121 · 02/05/2022 21:58

This reply has been withdrawn

Withdrawn at poster's request.

nakaji · 02/05/2022 22:43

This thread has inspired me to restart some of the good habits that have fallen by the wayside in recent months.

I am full of bad habits but I'm obsessed by the topic and have read and/or listened to loads of books about habits - Atomic Habits, Tiny Habits, The Power of Habit, Good Habits Bad Habits are just some of them. I've had some success - quit alcohol, more healthy diet, bit more organised but a lot of habits have slipped.

And from all of them I think the most important piece of advice is to start small. Very hard to do that because when you make the decision you are full of motivation and it's hard to keep it small - you want to walk 5 miles instead of one. But slowly building a teensy tiny habit works far better at making a habit stick. So if you try something, and find after a period of time you've given up - try again but scale it back to just a tiny bit - like 2 mins of stretching daily rather than an hour of yoga.

Another tip is triggers - I use my fitbit and have various vibrations throughout the day to remind me to do certain things - tidy my work desk, file a certain report etc - but I find music is a great trigger - I have favourite songs - some of which rotate - which start playing automatically to remind me it's time to tidy my work desk - time to get ready for bed - time to exercise.

And the last tip is - reward yourself. I don't mean with chocolate - but make your own version of a star chart. Sounds silly but they work just as well for adults as they do for kids. Ticking off a habit nightly can be reward in itself but you could also promise yourself a treat like getting nails done after x number of ticks. And don't beat yourself up over missing a day.

oatmilkicedchai · 03/05/2022 07:09

This reply has been deleted

Withdrawn at poster's request.

What time do you wake up on other days?

SherbetDips · 03/05/2022 07:23

running 10k regularly, actually eating breakfast never used to and now I have berries natural plain Greek yogurt and granola or a smoothie. And yoga.

breakdown19 · 03/05/2022 09:23

hamstersarse · 29/04/2022 19:57

Giving up junk and processed food. Completely. No cake, biscuit, sweets, white bread, ready meals, packaged food

transformed my energy for life

I would love to hear more about this"

AllTheYoungGoodyTwoShoes · 03/05/2022 09:34

Placemarking as well as lots of great tips!
One thing I've done for years is I've always used a face moisturiser with SPF. Used different ones over the years, using Aldi's Lacura Rejuvalate with SPF 30 now, the red jar. Feels quite luxurious.

I've ran on and off since school days, really helps with fitness and mental health, can notice it if I haven't ran for a while. Especially over the last 2 years, has really helped me cope mentally working in a hospital.

Thistooshallpsss · 03/05/2022 10:33

Very inspiring thank you everyone. I’m trying to improve my fitness from a very low level and am in my Kate 60s can anyone recommend an app that records steps and allows you to set goals and hopefully includes other exercises you can do at home. Oh and that’s free! Thanks all you are very encouraging

Alwayscheerful · 03/05/2022 12:01

PMK

breakdown19 · 03/05/2022 15:34

Alwayscheerful · 03/05/2022 12:01

PMK

? What does this mean please?

PurpleDaisies · 03/05/2022 15:35

breakdown19 · 03/05/2022 15:34

? What does this mean please?

Placemarking

breakdown19 · 03/05/2022 16:48

Billandben444 · 30/04/2022 06:34

A daily joint-care supplement. 3 months in and my leg and hip pains are distant memories.
Drinking more water.

May I ask how old you are? I wonder if I am the right age for this

MrsJorahMormont · 03/05/2022 21:06

Marking place i need this thread in my life!

Lockeddownagain · 03/05/2022 21:35

I quite alcohol have increased my exercise and eat more veg my wedding rings fit for the first time in two years.
I also deleted my amazon app and have saved about £140 each month for the last few months and I have started knitting so I don't look at my phone all the time

41stars · 04/05/2022 10:09

Such a great thread!!

I already exercise, started HIIT and swimming months ago, in a good week, I'll exercise 6 mornings getting up at 5.30 and I have to say I can't see the benefits of it!! I know I'm fitter but my body still looks like a flabby mess purely due to my exceptionally unhealthy relationship with alcohol! So I've just downloaded the TryDry app!! I really need to sort it out so thanks to the poster who mentioned it!

41stars · 04/05/2022 10:13

Such a great thread!!

I already exercise, started HIIT and swimming months ago, in a good week, I'll exercise 6 mornings getting up at 5.30 and I have to say I can't see the benefits of it!! I know I'm fitter but my body still looks like a flabby mess purely due to my exceptionally unhealthy relationship with alcohol! So I've just downloaded the TryDry app!! I really need to sort it out so thanks to the poster who mentioned it!

ethelredonagoodday · 04/05/2022 10:29

Walking every day (or almost!) only a quick loop round the village after dropping off DS at school, but sets me up for the day.

C1239 · 04/05/2022 12:56

I agree @Juliecloud there are too many ideas to choose from!!

OP posts:
Decafflatteplease · 04/05/2022 15:57

ethelredonagoodday · 04/05/2022 10:29

Walking every day (or almost!) only a quick loop round the village after dropping off DS at school, but sets me up for the day.

I do this too, get those steps in, there's a little cafe that does takeaway coffee for £1 so that's my little treat sometimes aswell

SmiledWtherisingsun · 04/05/2022 20:31

ImTheFuckOffCar · 29/04/2022 20:34

I’ll add weights to the responses.
During lockdown I brought some secondhand ones off FB marketplace. I sit in front of the telly each evening with them and just lift them in my arms 😆That’s it. The difference it has made! Ok I do an hour each evening and I’ve moved up from 1lb to 2.5kg over time but my arms look so toned even if I do say so myself.
Even my stomach feels tighter. Sometimes I even sweat. Just moving these weights up and down.
Simple but super effective. Bye bye bingo wings. Hello sleeveless tops!

Amazing!
Love this thread Smile

SmiledWtherisingsun · 04/05/2022 22:19

Taking HRT - am much calmer & I sleep better & have less brain fog...
Cutting way back on alcohol
Eating less crap
Swimming