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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

If you had 150 days to transform yourself...

99 replies

yespleasedoll · 30/12/2023 20:21

AIBU to ask for all of your top tips and ideas for a real overhaul of your health and fitness.
I've got 150 days until an event and I want to see a difference and be proud that I actually did it.

What would you do?

OP posts:
Nonplusultra · 31/12/2023 09:13

Don’t give up anything - that’s just miserable and impossible to sustain. Instead fill your life with good things.

Start with sleep - make your bed a little sanctuary from the world. Invest in whatever would make a difference - good pillow, a weighted blanket, a softer bulb, a reading light.

If your phone has been part of your bedtime routine set up a charging station for electronics downstairs and ban your phone from the bedroom. Create a better routine - maybe a few minutes of skincare, write a diary, read a few pages, but whatever you do, lean in to a bit of indulgence.

If you’re low on sleep your body will naturally prioritise simpler carbs as fuel - it’s not a lack of willpower, so sleep is the foundation of everything. It might be worth looking at hormonal help if you’re finding sleep difficult.

Take that attitude of luxury into your food choices - once you start selecting higher quality foods, the effect snowballs. It doesn’t have to be more expensive but if you start to see a nice brown bread or a piece of fruit as an indulgence, it changes your choices. (If you think about it, we’ve been manipulated into thinking that foods that hasten our death are treats which is pretty weird) When you have time, take a moment to arrange the food on your plate nicely. Tune in to the sensory pleasures of taste, smell, but also the visual and the tactile.

I take a bit of time to prep fresh foods and put them at eye level in my fridge. I also cook a chicken or a small ham and boil half a dozen eggs for easy protein. Typically I just want a quick slice of toast but if I switch the sliced pan for a lovely brown loaf, and add some protein, and a couple of easy to grab green bits, I have a lovely balanced meal. And one that’s worth sitting down for instead of eating on the run.

If you’re starting to exercise, choose something you enjoy, or something that feeds your imagination, or maybe something social. A walk and a chat with a friend on a lunch break is a great option. On the other hand, exercise can be a great break from peopling if that’s what you need. But don’t turn it into punishments for something you ate. Moving your body should feel good.

The thing about approaching it this way, is that it changes your attitude towards yourself profoundly and that will shine through. Once you start treating yourself well, you hold yourself differently, and you take less crap.

Nandocushion · 31/12/2023 09:30

Weights, walking, water.

FiddleLeaf · 31/12/2023 09:34

Sparkl · 31/12/2023 08:46

I’m going to save this thread, so motivating!

Just googled the 75 and realised that the ‘take a photo’ part is a progress photo for before and after type thing, I thought it was a mindful, take a photo of the world/a sunset /lovely flower idea 😂 I prefer mine I think!

I’ve seen this! I think there’s a hard 75 and now a ‘soft’ version. The hard one sounds too much for me! Prefer your version too

DRS1970 · 31/12/2023 09:36

I have spent 53 years transforming myself. How could I improve on that in 150 days...

SpongeBob2022 · 31/12/2023 09:50

100% Couch to 5k. 8 weeks to complete.

Even if you don't look hugely different (unless you incorporate other changes) you'll be and feel fitter and there is a definite sense of achievement going from nothing to being able to run 5k.

theDudesmummy · 31/12/2023 09:52

Nutracheck app. Fitbit and do your steps every day.

Ejismyf · 31/12/2023 09:56

I'd eat completely clean if you want to lose weight, track calories using my fitness pal, start couch to 5k, drink 2 litres of water a day and concentrate on skin care morning and night to get a nice glow - I've been using elemis for a month or so and my skins the best it's ever been. Take multivitamins every day so you feel good and a spatone sachet. Get hair done fresh for the event and a good spray tan and nails done and make up if not very good at it.

Fuckmeicantbebothered · 31/12/2023 10:00

Start small, 30 minutes of walking per day.
Eat a high protein, high fiber diet,
Drink 3l of water a day.

When you're used to half an hours walking per day, increase the exercise by intensity and time.

It'll make a very big difference.

Worldgonecrazy · 31/12/2023 10:01

If you don’t want to give up chocolate then get some 100% cocoa drops and add a few to yoghurt or homemade granola. They cure the chocolate craving and are extremely low fat/low sugar. They also have health benefits.

yespleasedoll · 14/04/2024 12:55

Hey everyone!

I thought I'd jump back on this. I read a lot of threads regarding weight loss or healthy lifestyle intentions and they trail off and I always wonder how it went.

Not 150 days yet, but nearing the end and it's all mostly positive here and I'm feeling really good.

I have got a good gym routine and beginning to see real changes in my shape.
Really overhauled the way I am eating. Much more fresh, whole foods. Lesser amounts of carbs. Much less sugar!
Getting my steps in pretty much everyday whatever the weather.
Drinking lots of water.

The sun is starting to shine here and there which is only motivating me more!

Got myself few new clothes which fit and feel much better on me and I am just feeling in a really good and positive place to keep going and I really feel this time I've changed my life beyond the 150days as dramatic as that sounds!

Hope some of you all are feeling the same and having a spring in your step!!

OP posts:
NigelHarmansNewWife · 14/04/2024 13:06

I didn't see your original post OP, but your update is great. I am struggling with motivation to sort myself out. I have 125 days!! Did you set any goals along the way or incentivise yourself in any way?

yespleasedoll · 14/04/2024 14:17

I set small goals and upped them as I went

So steps started at 6000 a day non negotiable then up to 7000 then 8000..

Scheduling in my gym sessions so they were part of my routine as opposed to saying I'd go and then never getting round to it

Prioritising each meal around my protein, I am strength training so this is essential for me and including fibre with every meal too. Carbs are usually the smallest part of my plate now

Reducing snacks or if I am hungry then making them protein based or fruit/veg based!

OP posts:
LoveSkaMusic · 14/04/2024 18:10

4.5Litres of water a day, alongside a Total Meal Replacement VLCD. That'll do it.

Sorry, replied without reading the full thread

PeloMom · 14/04/2024 18:13

Calculate your deficit macros if weight loss is your goal (plenty of online calculators)
prioritize protein
walk 10-15k steps a day
sleep- early in bed and enough hours
if you can throw in some gym / excercise time even better but not mandatory
150 days is a lot of time and you can have a really good progress

WrylyAmused · 14/04/2024 18:57

Train 3x ~1hr/ week, mix of cardio and weights

Intermittent fasting (start 16:8) with low carb diet when eating.

No alcohol, no snacks, no smoking or vaping (if you do)

Get enough sleep every night.

Watch Andrew Huberman on how different wavelengths within light at different times of day affect you, then get outside for at least 10 mins early morning, lunchtime and sunset.

I find yoga/meditation/breathwork also helps ( for me, only one of them needed), keeping mind happy as well as body.

TheWeeDonkeyFella · 14/04/2024 21:26

Great update @yespleasedoll , well done for sticking with it and seeing the results.

I followed your thread for inspiration but lost track. Now going to reread it and use it to to restart my own good intentions.

ApricotsAndPlums · 14/04/2024 21:40

8 hours’ sleep per night, plenty of leafy greens, minimal sugar and alcohol and a realistic exercise routine you can stick to.

And no you do not need Botox FFS!

Mamaof6x · 14/04/2024 21:56

First off you need to make sure you are in a calorie deficit. Small meals and often keep your metabolism up more. Try and drink 3+ litres of water a day and add exercise into your regime. Add in healthy veg to meals (green veg are amazing, brocoli, lettuce, Avocado, asparagus, spinach), healthy protein like chicken or turkey. One meal I always loved before bed was 0% Greek fat yoghurt with chocolate protein powder mixed in and strawberries and blueberries mixed into it with very low calorie syrup. Healthy sweet and plenty of protein :) I lost 5inches off my waist in 160days before my wedding

Lilyscotswolds · 15/04/2024 00:17

Simple steps that can become an enjoyable lifestyle shift. For me that looked like hitting 10K steps daily with more time spent outside and ditching convenience foods for home cooked, nutritious and wholesome meals. I don’t like rigid end goals because I find they put too much pressure on me (not good with my personality!) but simple ways of changing my day to day made me the fittest I’ve been.

edit: and lots of water! And really limit alcohol (if you drink).

yespleasedoll · 15/04/2024 06:22

Getting steps in has become so much easier! I am now making the choice to get up and go outside for a walk everyday, and it's actually so enjoyable, clears the mind and I'm in a much better mood when I get home.

OP posts:
Beatrixslobber · 15/04/2024 06:25

I love that you came back op. Well done on the changes

NigelHarmansNewWife · 16/04/2024 08:17

You inspired me @yespleasedoll and I've started my own thread to give me nudge to get on with things. The fact you built your steps up was really helpful because I've just been torturing myself that I'm not walking. I've bought a walking pad so I've no excuses when it's raining. Previously it hadn't bothered me, but the crappy weather has been another excuse for me not to get moving. I also weighed myself and definitely don't want to put more on!

yespleasedoll · 16/04/2024 12:42

@NigelHarmansNewWife so glad you're feeling inspired! Which thread is yours??

I found the first few weeks are the hardest but as everything becomes habits and the norm you suddenly realise how far you've come

OP posts:
NigelHarmansNewWife · 16/04/2024 14:46

I've pm'd you

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