25 changes for 2025

[ToriTheStoryteller]

I started a thread at the start of 2024 called "one small change each week". 2024 thread
Loved updating it and chatting to people who were also trying to make changes but maybe felt a bit overwhelmed by the usual mindset of "right, I'm losing 2 stone, cutting sugar, getting a new job and taking up 3 sports" only to feel like a failure before January is out!

It went well - the old me would have said it was a disaster as I probably kept approx 8-10 habits, but the new me thinks that's brilliant, to have 8 habits that I wasn't keeping to a year ago.

So, onto 2025. Just to encourage a bit more oomph into my brain, I'm planning on 25 for 25: 25 small changes that will improve my life next year.

Wanna join? 🙂

1. Do a weights session 2x per week.

I've had to change gyms and I don't like the new one as much, but seeing a few older relations over Christmas, all with physical issues, is the push I need to want to get stronger.

Hope your exercises are going well @2in2022twoyearson ? I'm more or less in the habit of doing 10K steps every day, I have some exercises which would really help my terrible diastasis recti but can I find the time to do them daily?! I cannot. That's another habit on my list!

This is so helpful to see everyone’s progress!

I have managed to largely leave alcohol behind this year. I now only drink on special occasions and have had 8 glasses for the whole two months (trip away, son’s birthday, special meal out, seeing friends yesterday who live in a different city). I wasn’t drinking masses before but used to fall into the coupes of glasses at the weekend trap and it just makes me feel like crap so I am glad to no longer drink at home. I feel so much better.

Other than that a back issue has kiboshed my running and weights but it has meant I have got back to swimming - I highly recommend! It’s also encouraging me to do more core work.

Not doing so great on phone use though!

What back exercises do you do in bed? I need to be doing some for lower back (beginnings of arthritis) but it so often gets lost in the day to day of work/school.

I have just been diagnosed with diabetes (type 2). So carb/sugar control and moving more are top of my list.

@Alltheyearround - it’s just some pretty basic lower back stretches.

First one is holding my knees to my chest while lying on my back. Then I pull my knees over and down to one side and hold and then change sides. Then I sit on the side of the bed with one foot in the floor and the ankle of the opposite foot on my knee and gently push knee down while bending forward.

It does seem to help as I’m not getting as many lower back twinges.

@MotherOfCatBoy I need to do some core work too - I have some great DR exercises to do but just can't find the time well done on cutting down on the booze - I very rarely drink now as I can't face hangovers with small children around, but miss the occasional glass of wine!

@Peridot1 Thanks. I will give those a go. Staying in bed to do them might be just the thing.

Have been listening to Just One Thing - Early Nights and Fitness Tracker. Both interesting.

I have made a good start with a 30 min walk after tea last night and an hour this morning as it is my day off work today. Feel better just for doing those. Need to crack early nights and then I can get up half an hour earlier as well.

Going to subscribe to Spotify on new phone so can listen to music etc whilst walking. I sometimes get bored walking to and from work each day so this would be a good motivator.

Next thing is to order an online shop with diabetes friendly food such as brown rice/pasta and wholegrain everything. Wild salmon and nut butters and lots of leafy veg. I'm not that far away but just need to replace carbs and sugar with protein and nutrient dense alternatives. Going to ask for 3 or 4 months to tackle it via food/exercise and see if I can avoid medication and get sugars down.

One thing I didn't understand was how they could get a 3 month average for blood sugar using only 1 sample of blood on 1 day? Surely an average needs more than one measurement to calculate.

I'm doing the no S diet (no snack, no seconds, no sweets except sometimes on no S days) s days being Saturday, Sundays, special Days and sick days. I've heard the sometimes is important, and not to go silly on a days. I had a few false starts but have always had lent in mind for the start of healthy habits. May even follow it on Saturdays for lent.

Habbits that have stuck this year:
Intermittent fasting, which for me means no snacking in the evening after an early dinner, often done with food around 6:30.
Walking at lunch break.
Doing painting in the evening.
Not going on my phone first thing in the morning, until I have had a coffee and think/ journal about the day at least.

Did you find any decent websites for diabetes friendly products @Alltheyearround? DP is hovering on the edge of type 2 diabetes and has decided to give up bread and pasta, wants to eat more unprocessed food of the kinds you're describing. Which would be very laudable if he didn't then scoff down sausage rolls and lager at the weekend

I'm finding it tricky to keep up again so have decided to go back to just adding one habit per week or two, otherwise I just forget/ can't find the time I've downloaded the HabitShare app which hopefully will help. I'm starting off with three daily habits that I do usually stick to:

1. Take vitamins
2. Duolingo
3. 10K steps

@NinaFinch I read 'The Sweet Poison Quit Plan', which a colleague gave me a couple of years ago. Very interesting reading - and things to watch out for (balsalmic vinegar and others with high sugar).

I am eating sour dough bread and granary everything (bread in moderation). Have cut back sugar by I would say 90%. Weaning myself off the white stuff!

I have made a list of good things so I can focus on what I can eat. Sweet potatoes (1/2 cup x 2 week) instead of normal. Lunches I am making salad but with plenty of protein to keep full. Toasted nuts and seeds, some cheese, or tuna, olives. Had some cous cous (carb but didn't have too much of it). Seeing GP on Thurs. Need to be aware of fats too as cholesterol was high-ish. Wondering whether to ask for dietician appt. Trying to get 15 to 30 minutes walking each day. Combined with work this can be tricky as I have CFS so I get wiped out/pay back.

I have a skipping rope which could also be an option. Try and work up to 100 a day.

Turns out that Kiwis, rather than diamonds, are a girl's best friend. Very high fibre, so a good fruit for a diabetic type 2.

That's interesting @Alltheyearround, I'll have a look at that book; I do like a kiwi fruit too!

I actually contacted the GP recently to ask for a dietician appointment for DS1, his diet is just terrible as he's such a beige eater. No luck, they just sent me a diet sheet which I could find anywhere! I've tried the local healthy eating for kids service, but they can't help as he isn't overweight. I really want to encourage him to eat more fruit & veg somehow!

It's been a long time since I checked in. How am I doing?

1. Weights/kettlebells - no,.I have not managed this. I did lift them yesterday, will do tonight.

1. Reduce time on phone. Marginally. I've put time limits on apps and that is helping to reduce.

1. I am reading more, and have sewn two dresses and two tops.

New habits:

1. Sleep earlier. So bed at 11pm is the aim.

1. See friends more often. I have a coffee date with one friend planned next week and a get together booked for June. I really want to aim for one a month!

1. Spend time in the garden. The slugs are returning and MUST BE STOPPED. If I do this one, then I can incorporate reduced time on phone too.

Heard on some podcast that they way to get your kids to do something is to have them see you do it yourself. So if you want them to eat more veggies, you have to eat loads of veggies … If you’re already doing that then there’s always the old serve veggies as an appetiser before the main meal when they’re hungry, and just keep doing it until they pick them up…

I’ve given up sugar for lent and started jogging. I’ve been walking to work rather than getting the bus. Next I want to cut down on alcohol

@NinaFinch suggestions I have heard in the past include:

That old favourite disguise (grated or blended into sauces e.g. red peppers into tomato past sauce).

Offering a very tiny bit of whatever it is on the side of their main dish, e.g peas but not commenting or cajoling. Just offering it. If they try it and don't like remind them you usually need to try a new food about 3 or 4 times before your taste buds get used to it.

Soups/smoothies/or unusual presentation (the Japanese thing where they fry veg in batter?)

I have no idea if DS1 is on the spectrum but you may find useful advice googling ASD and food or ARFID. Better than sheet from GP.

@MotherOfCatBoy I think one of DS1's (many!) food issues is that occasionally he will try a new vegetable and like it and I'll think yes!! I have cracked it! Then after eating it a few times he will suddenly decide he doesn't like it any more I try to introduce new foods often but he's just very suspicious of anything that isn't beige...

@Alltheyearround you're right, ASD sources of information would be much more helpful than the GP I've ordered the My Fussy Eater book from the library, maybe that will give me more inspiration...

Added a new habit this week:

1. Take vitamins
2. Duolingo
3. 10K steps
4. Something practically positive

The latest one is from The Organised Mum Method, where she said every day she tries to do something practically positive, something emotionally positive and something physically positive. I thought the practical aspect would be the easiest one to start with for me!

@NinaFinch I can relate with a sone who doesn't eat his vegetables. Especially the eating a veg for a few days then going off it! Mine isn't autistic, but 2! He's tiny, so not eating well stresses me, but I'm pretty sure he's supposed to be small is his hands and feet are small, and 3 out of 4 grandparents are on the smaller side, especially my mum. My oldest always matched her clothes size and is now too tall for her age.

Back to routines, I've decided to do the flylady, and building up my morning and evening routines. I've heard good things about the organised mum.
So I've:
Written down to a simple morning and evening routine.

I need to get back to doing good habbits so I'll start easy,
Using some hand cream,
I've also bought some new moisturiser with SPF 15 so I'll put that on every morning, especially now we're getting more sun.
Domy physio knee exceises in the evening.

Later I'll do:
No S diet
Increase exercise somehow...

I have exams coming up on a couple of months and I've not studied for a few days...so some daily study habits, would be helpful.

I should get a pedometer as I do lots of steps I think on my job, especially yesterday!

@2in2022twoyearson I don't know about your area, but where I am the children's services are more worried about overweight and obese kids than kids who just don't eat properly. I mean I understand they only have so much funding and perhaps that's the best place to start, but it does mean that DS1 flies under the radar as he's a normal weight! They run brilliant courses for kids who need to lose weight and develop healthy eating habits - however DS1 isn't eligible as he isn't overweight, despite the fact that it would be a great course for him to attend and learn about food and cooking

Definitely get a pedometer, they are very motivating I have a cheap secondhand Fitbit - only usually spend about £20 on them after going through a spate of the DC breaking the straps and me losing the whole thing - but Amazon have lots of cheap versions too.

TOMM has really helped me, I mean I wouldn't say the house is 100% there but I have two grubby DC and a very lazy DP so it's always going to be an uphill struggle!

Off to the supermarket later and then hopefully will get to do some meal prep. Can't guarantee it as DP's friend is supposed to be coming round to paint the kitchen, but then he's said this every day for the last three weeks, so who knows if he'll actually turn up...

Hi, I followed the thread since the beginning. Can I join? I was about to post about being worried about ds weight. He eats veg and fruit, but not enough protein. He eats slowly and finds it very boring. He’s eight and is smaller than all the boys in his year. I was watching him in the park yesterday and I can see much younger looking children - 5 and 6- towering over him. His BMI is (just) in the normal range but I can’t help notice how much smaller he looks. It’s a worry!

From 2019, lots of the children services are referrals only, but I think they have council funded holiday cooking for families of primary school children open to all. But my primary school child is a good eater. I don't think obisity is a massive issue in my area.I have seen adverts for fussy eaters and no mention of weight as a criteria.

I've currently sat them both on front of the TV with a packet of cheaders but that's not the norm, just have emotional children this morning so I felt we all needed it.

Welcome @luckbug are boys generally small in your family? They are in mine. My 6yo DD is taller than some 8 year old boys, and she's only slightly bigger than average so I don't think it's uncommon. Looking at the year groups in her school, I think from about 6 some boys slow their growth naturally, but they'll shoot up at puberty. I remember in secondary school there for lots of tiny boys, especially in year 7. But it's hard not to worry.

@2in2022twoyearson obesity is the main criteria in our area, which is a shame for us as it means DS1 isn't eligible and the cookery classes would be really useful!

@luckbug my boys are tall for their age but on average the girls in their Year 4 classes are taller than the boys! As 2in2022twoyearson said, it's very common for boys to be shorter later - I remember a couple of boys in my secondary school who shot up in Years 10 and 11. Is there any sort of protein your DS likes - cheese/ chicken/ ham etc - that you could tempt him to eat more of?

The cleaning schedule has slipped a bit here, partly because I've been a bit poorly, partly because I still can't find the time that may be the change I add on for next week...

Oh wow, I'm so glad this is still going!!

I will read through the whole thing. Things have been a bit crap and I did my normal ostrich thing of burying my head, but I know that I really want this year to be full of positive changes. So it's time to get my head out the sand, read the whole thread and get back to the starting line again.

Well I've reread the whole thread now and taken lots of notes of ideas. It's such a supportive thread and everyone is being so motivating to others who are struggling. So many of us seem to fall into the trap of having big ideas, not meeting our own high expectations then feeling like we have failed.

I'm so determined to break away from that so that I can see all changes as positive.

So, back to this year's habits:

• 2x weights per week. I've kept up with this most weeks but it has mostly been at home so I need to ignore my insecurity and get my arse back to the gym to really push it further. 1st session booked for Monday.
• Looking after my hands and nails. They are NOT feeling the love at the moment so this morning I slathered them in body butter and will do the same in the evenings.
• 5:2. This has been hit and miss so I'm back on it as from today. 2 days per week will be yoghurt, nuts and fruit then an omelette.

As with most of us, phone use is being cut. I know this will improve my sleep which will be the catalyst for everything else improving.

Onwards and upwards - hope everyone else is doing well and that the Spring weather is helping motivate you.😍

@ToriTheStoryteller you have put me to shame with rethinking your habits many of mine have fallen by the wayside recently! Partly not my fault (DP's mate was doing some work in our kitchen which massively overran, and it was very stressful) and partly circumstances (we've been away for a couple of weekends for the DC's sports club) - but I really must get back on it. The DC are at holiday clubs this week and with a bit of luck, I'll be able to review my habits and make some changes to improve things from the Easter weekend onwards...

@NinaFinch oh no please don't think that! I basically dropped off the planet for the last couple of months but for me, the whole point of this is to NOT feel like a failure or think that everyone else is doing better, but to get up and try again. For instance, this weekend was pretty unhealthy food-wise but I did moisturise my hands and do some weights 😉
I have definitely felt that a whole load of busy weekends have left me drained and needing a reset. The weekends were nice (mostly!) but since I was a kid I've always needed one day of the weekend to be a 'home' day so I need to remember how important that is for me to reset, give my brain some peace and just go slower one day a week.

I know lots of people struggle with procrastination and it's something that's become a massive problem for me. Yesterday, though, I think I accidentally found my next habit to start: my biggest problem is how to get started on something, being overwhelmed so not bothering; eg, my garden is a tip, but I look out and think "OK so that fence needs replacing but I can't do that until I've cleared the growth in front of it but I can't do that until....and so on." Yesterday I wrote down everything that needs to happen, then cut up each point and worked out the order they needed to go in...and I got started on the 1st item on the list! It made me so happy, instead of going out there and feeling paralysed with indecision.

So my 4th habit this year is putting lists in working order. Very exciting!