Which one lifestyle change you've made has had the most positive impact?

[iloveblue]

Hi
Just that really.
I am 37, a mum of two, work full-time plus running a small craft business in the evenings and am feeling old and weary.
I'm overweight and have neglected myself and my health for far too long, so it is time to make changes.

I would love to hear what changes were the most beneficial to you.

Meditation and mindfulness

Once I got the hang of calming my mind, everything else followed. I have since got fit by running, cut sugar right down and am miles happier.

Loads on the internet about it for free. YouTube is good. Or Mindfulness for Dummies book good for a start.

Choosing just one is hard, but it has to be walking.
For the last 6-7 years I've tried to walk 3 miles ( uphill and down over fields ) at least 4 times a week.
This means that at almost 60 I'm the same weight I was at 21 ( under 8 st).

Oh and I rarely eat any sweet stuff or processed food.

Couch to 5k. Lost weight, stopped wanting to drink midweek, loads more energy!

I've always eaten well, excercised enough, good weight, but my mood used to peak horribly, I reluctantly left coffee and my moods have stabilized completely. Never drinking it again

Giving up sugar- you really do have to read all the labels if you buy any food that is ready made.

I have cut sugar down to a minimum- by that I mean 5 gms a day ( 1 teaspoon) mainly as added sugar ( and sometimes unavoidable) in bought products.

I was shocked to see there were 4 teaspoons of sugar in a quality carrot soup ( in half a pot) marketed as a Love Life healthy product!

Losing 20% of my body weight which has an amazing improvement on my arthritic knees.

Santasgrotto, it's true you do need to read label if you want to be religious about cutting out sugar but I have found a massive benefit from just sticking to savoury things and not worrying too much about hidden sugar, although it's true I don't eat that much processed stuff. I do still eat fruit though. Refuse to believe that can be bad for me.

That's true but sadly sugar is in almost everything we buy ( food.) It's put in as a cynical attempt to addict us to the sugary, pleasant taste. It's in everything from bread to mayonnaise, yoghurt, soups, and so much more.
It's great to cut back but on the other hand I think most people are unaware just how much is in savoury foods if they are not made at home from scratch. At least with fruit you are getting fibre and vitamins, so that's ok but dried fruit is not so good because it's really heavy on sugar.
It's the insulin spikes from sugar that do the harm over time- and our bodies don't differentiate between a spoonful of the white stuff or the sugar ( carbs) from a potato or a pasta sauce.

Time toast - did you have withdrawal symptoms stopping coffee and if so, did it last long?

Cutting right down in screen time has made a big difference to my family.
We talk more, go out more, read more.

I'm tackling the sugar/crap food one next year.

Favourite pants, it's a mindset I think. I don't see the stuff I do in the evenings as a chore or more work. It's practising relaxing without the tv:)

Sometimes I put the tv on, if I want to watch something. Although I do tell myself everything is repeated nth times and I shoukd just wait til im incapable of doing anything else and watch it then

For me it is exercise. I do 5 gym classes a week.

For others it may be something else so I would take any advice with a pinch of salt. For someone overweight controlling food intake may be the best thing at that time, for others it may be stopping smoking.

I was neither overweight nor a smoker, so exercise was the best thing for me.

Great thread!

About two months ago, I got fixed braces fitted. It was extremely painful and I lost half a stone instantly. I've come to realise how much I do eat, as opposed to how much I really need to eat. Hopefully I can keep it off by eating less. If it starts creeping back on, I'll get braces on the bottom set of teeth!

I still need to lost half a stone (well, probably a stone, but I was never super skinny, so my expectations are reasonable). I hope to start running. I ran a lot I n my early 30s - marathons and half marathons. 50km a week as standard. I don't want to run that much, but I'd be happy to be able to easily run 5km. That's my goal. And then lose this extra 3kg!

Also. I've suffered from sorer feet. Dr google as told me it is my meter tarsal (sp.). I walk a lot in shit shoes! Summer, pushing the buggy in flip flops. I'm 43, and I guess I just need better shoes. I got some amazing asics (see running earlier ) and they have improved my feet no end!

1. Giving up drinking alcohol at home
2. Exercise
3. Part-time work

Mindfulness - helps me to relax and unwind. I didn't realize how stressed I was last year
Giving up coffee - I feel rested after sleep.
Started gym 2 months ago and paid for 6 Personal trainer sessions. He helped me in addressing my tight hamstrings and I feel improvement already. I also felt I was able to take up marathon walk and signed for Moon walk in May in London as I like walking (but dislike running). I am going to carry on with PR as this helps me to focus and visit gym regularly.
De-cluttering our house is in progress and made massive difference to how we are using our downstairs area because I have more room to breathe .

I got a personal trainer. Sounds excessively indulgent but £25 a session, plus tailored diet sheets has made me fit and strong. Focus is on core strength, using kettle bells and barbells. I can lift 1.5 times my body weight and it makes me feel strong in every other part of my life

Another vote for Mindfulness Meditation.

Started 1st January and haven't missed a day this year. I'm still slightly in shock at how much difference its made in my relationships, my outlook and my state of mind.

Yoga and giving up caffeine.

getting tested for being tired all the time. Discovering I was anaemic and taking iron tablets, worked almost instantly. So much more energy to do stuff.

Would also like to join a Give Up Sugar thread after Christmas.

rubberduck is there a resource you'd recommend for mindfulness meditation?

OP a full time job plus a craft business in the evening sounds pressurised.
Do you actually need to do both- financially- or could you economise somehow and then afford to reduce your hours on one or the other? Have you had any career coaching? Just a thought because perhaps increasing your prices for whatever crafts you do could cover a shortfall in other work.

Shall we start a low/no sugar thread? I've been reading about it and pretty much my whole diet is sugar