Thread for us who are focussing on nourishment and healing in 2025

[thenewaveragebear1983]

I normally love a January detox, the harsher the better. I'm all or nothing. I'm go big or go home. Dry Jan, no sugar, new year new me etc etc.

Not this time.

I've been so unwell, all December getting more and more run down, and it's culminated in developing Bell's palsy, I've had an utterly miserable Christmas and I am still suffering. It's made me rethink my incredibly hectic lifestyle, my rigorous exercise regime and my constant diets and instead I want to focus on nourishing myself back to health and happiness.

I love exercise and make time for it, but it's my food, and specifically my food quality that I really struggle with. I am a total sugar junkie and could happily eat rubbish all day long. I am a fairly good cook and I love homemade hearty comforting foods.

My initial plan is to meal plan and prepare for a gentle start on 1st Jan. I am going to do dry January (I actually do want to stop drinking completely but will aim for just Jan for now). I do need to lose some weight but I want to do it through cutting out UPFs and ensuring that what I eat is good for me.

I am also keen to explore whether certain foods could be aggravating to this inflammatory reaction which has caused the Bell's palsy. I don't really know where to begin with that but I am looking into it.

I'm hoping that some food changes and some lifestyle changes (less phone usage, better sleep, maybe some supplements) could have a really positive impact on 2025 for me.

If anyone else is thinking the same and would like a nice chat thread, please join me!

I’m in please.
recovering binge eater and pre diabetic.
too much sugar and carbs makes me feel dreadful and even hungrier.
i have low iron but not low enough that GP will help. I went to give blood and they said my iron was very very low.
I am so tired, can hardly keep my eyes open.
had PT session at the gym today but he forgot and didn’t turn up!

@Everythingaches have you tried ferrous sulphate for your low iron? Mine was low but not low enough for treatment but a nurse advised me to get otc iron tablets and they really do make a difference. Those and a good vitamin b complex.

A lot of us are running on empty in our 40s and 50s. I watch Health with Holland on Instagram and she is very good at explaining the effect stress/cortisol has on our health.

Also the lady who does the Flipping Fifty exercise videos on You Tube explains that she lost weight following an injury that prevented her following her extreme training regime - she walked her dog and was more mindful and that seemed to work just as much as the training.

For the last 6 months I have loosely followed the Svelte Metaboost eating plan. Lots of OTT American sales pitch to get through but I think this way of eating is the way forward. Focus is on veg and fruit with simple protein and lots of information about the different health benefits of the food. First day or 2 is hard depending on what your current food intake is like. I didn't feel hungry and I found I really enjoyed the clean eating so much that I think my habits have changed quite a bit now. No calorie counting involved.

Initially seems time consuming and a bit complex but it is possible to just repeat the plan every 11 days. This helps cut food wastage and after the 2nd round the recipes seemed easier and quicker to make. There are simple exercises to follow that can take less than 15 minutes each day. Costs about £18 I think for the 11 day eating plan (watch you don't sign up for anything else). There is a Facebook page for support and sharing.

Sorry if I sound a bit fangirl but I do think we don't really take care of ourselves with regards to how we fuel our bodies and we need to be more aware of the benefits to be derived from eating specific fruits, veg, nuts etc.

Which ones should I get? Will order them now.

@Everythingaches you need pharmacy strength ferrous sulphate, I think they are 200mg. I buy mine from an online pharmacy or you can get them over the counter

I'd love to join as well. I share concerns with other people on this thread. I'm also pre-diabetic and have a severe sugar addiction and plan to do dry January. I want to address the sugar by gradually reducing it, so not going cold turkey, so by the end of January I will hopefully have removed it from my diet. I also want to focus on healthy eating, cut down bread and reduce carbs and up protein and veg. I'd like to also reduce my afternoon tea drinking (apparently caffeine also raises blood sugar) and drink 2 litres of water per day. I will allow my cup of tea in the morning. My aim is to focus in 3 healthy meals to keep insulin from spiking. I need to lose a lot of weight. Good luck everybody.

This a great approach. I will follow I think. I think I'm generally okay on sugar but i do drink too much which is just sugar in another form.

would these be ok?
https://www.hollandandbarrett.com/shop/product/holland-barrett-gentle-iron-capsules-20mg-6100156285?skuid=060280&utm_campaign=shopping&utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=google&utm_campaign=pmax&&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAAD96OoJoh25-h1HAd8DiWngIl19Id&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIprPeza_NigMVipdQBh2_2hTfEAQYByABEgIUp_D_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

This was me beginning of this year! The first 2 weeks are hellish but then you start to enjoy what your eating and the energy levels make such a huge difference!
I started off big. No sweets, junk food, takeaways etc. fasted 17:00-11:00, really upped water intake, ate meals full of protein and veg very limited carbs. Whole rainbow of fruit, kiwis, pomegranate, dragon fruits, banana, apples.
lost 4 stone in 7months and I feel so much healthier.
I’ve indulged over Xmas, and that has made me feel really shit and sluggish. So I’ll be back on it from tomorrow.
good luck, you will feel so much better x

I'd go for a ferrous sulphate that is pharmacy only rather than those. Try med express or boots online?

These?

https://www.mypharmacy.co.uk/product/ferrous-sulfate-200mg-tablets/?gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI95zR6LbNigMV5pxQBh0UMzHkEAQYASABEgKCGfD_BwE

@Everythingaches yes those are perfect, that's what they'd give you on prescription. I take mine at night, they can irritate your stomach a bit at first. I saw really positive changes within a few weeks.

This is exactly what I have been planning on doing too so I would love to join too.
Op what is your TSH level. Different countries medicate for hypothyroidism at different times.

@Badgerstmary I can't remember the exact number, I'd have to check my notes.it was 'sub clinical' eg. Out of normal range but not high enough to be treated, I had to go bank after 3 months for a follow up. Follow up was normal. They then put me on HRT at my request and I had iron and b vitamins and did notice some improvement to a lot of my symptoms such as palpitations and anxiety, but the tiredness and hair loss and weight gain have not resolved. I should probably go back. I think on the back of this illness over Christmas i will go back and ask for my bloods to be redone, I have felt so run down and tired for 3 months really, it's no surprise I've ended up unwell.

I've not been good at all today, my face is so painful and I'm just so tired of feeling miserable and sorry for myself. I'm trying not to think about the possibility that this won't just go away spontaneously. I'm now 10 days in with very little improvement. It's very hard to rest with dc and everyone at home although I have pretty much not left the sofa for 3 days except to walk the dog (much needed escape in the fresh air).

Oh but I did Start my new notebook with a good menu plan and a shopping list to get on Tuesday ready to start the year properly!

I'd like to join in please.

I have all these self care tools at my fingertips but am really crap at utilising them. I want to change that in 2025!

I'm on Mounjaro for diabetes. First and foremost I want to get my HbA1c right down and start reducing my other diabetes medications, whilst chipping away at reducing my visceral fat and increasing my muscle mass. And I need to do this by reducing UPF and drinking way more water.

On that note, making better use of my gym membership as well!

I have a Headspace account paid for through work, which I don't use enough. I want to get into a routine there.

Prioritise better sleep, etc.

Just generally take better care of myself all round.

I’d love to join too please. Definitely a sugar junkie here. I managed to have 10 sugar free days before Xmas but I caved in and one chocolate turned to a couple which turned to far too many and now I’m back craving the sweet stuff.

I have developed psoriasis on my scalp which I’m hoping a more nutritious diet may fix. I actually have plenty of time during the day so I can’t blame that for my bad food choices. I just have no will power these days. I’m going to get back to walking a ton as well. That always keeps me feeling good.

good luck to everyone 😊

Ok I'm back 🙂 still with a baby on me haha. Interesting to read how many of us are struggling with sugar.

Has anyone read the glucose revolution? I am thinking of buying it.

About me:
I am coming up for 40. I have a toddler and a 4m old. I was always very active and had a good diet before having kids. I did had a period of drinking too much/depression/self harm in my late 20s and early 30s, which hasn't quite gone away. Last year, before I got pregnant, I had a mini relapse (drinking too much and a couple of instances of minor self harm - apologies if this is triggering for anyone) and although my drinking is minimal at the moment because of breastfeeding, I wonder if the right thing to do would be to give up entirely. Since having my son, I've also developed a bad relationship with sugar. I'm not sure if I maybe had mild postnatal depression with DS...but anyway I found myself chasing that dopamine hit in the form of chocolate, and aside from when I was TTC again last year I haven't really stopped. DD is now 4m old and I'd really like a fresh start in the New Year.

I was actually quite disciplined through Oct and Nov and then really went to town during the second half of Dec/over Christmas. I woke up this morning feeling like something had crawled into my stomach and died, which I'm sure is to do with the stupid amount of chocolate and other junk I had yesterday. It's just confirmed I don't want to do this any more.

I also just read how excess sugar in breast milk is really bad for babies. DD has had an upset stomach today and has been very irritable... probably not even linked, but it certainly made me feel guilty!

@thenewaveragebear1983 I'm sorry you've been so poorly x

Very interesting to hear everyone's reflections. Like others, I have a history of EDs and have to reframe what 'nutritious' means in my head to move away from thinking lower calorie and/or cutting food groups out is 'healthy' for me because it's not and I have a tendency to head too far in that direction if I'm not mindful. So definitely less crap and more good stuff but also recognition that sometimes what my body wants is as important as what it needs or doesn't need. But yes, way less crap.

I had a few Christmas chocolates too but just a couple and I didn't need more than that. Other than that, I've had three nice meals with lots of veggies and fermented food and drunk an extra couple of glasses of water.

I'm in. I'm quite overweight but very very tired which creates a vicious circle. I'm also ND and struglee to cook when I can just make toast etc.

I want to reduce upfs and try and nourish myself. Yes to nuts and avocado's etc not calorie counting but real nourishing food.

But I've become so reliant on freezer food it's quite a leap to get there.

I'm interested too. I'm 46 and I'm definitely a sugar addict! Start the day with coffee and end with chocolate.... it's got to change this year! I find cooking / buying for the family the hardest- I eat foods I wouldn't really choose because it's the easy option for all. I want to cut down on red meat- dh loves it though!

Morning all, I'd like to join this thread too. I definitely feel that I need to take better care of myself mentally and physically. I'm 47 and I'm a very stressful job and I am focusing on dealing better with that, trying to switch off from it at the end of the day and make sure I am prioritising my health and well-being. I started exercising last year and have kept that up and I feel so much better for it. I am also a massive sugar addict. I managed a long stint of healthy eating about 7 months ago and reached a very happy weight for me, but the last month I have been like a woman possessed with ALL THE FOOD so I need to curb that before I undo all the hard work. I'm looking into the slow pace of life and get a lot of joy from simple things.

Morning all. I'm starting today with a sense of optimism and going to try to start being a bit healthier today.

My goals today are:
to drink 2l water,
not drink any alcohol.
Eat something fruit/ vegetable at each meal. Walk the dog.
Have a sleep and/or listen to my hypnosis.

I'm going to make egg/banana pancakes for breakfast with some fruit. Chicken thighs in a tray bake for dinner with veg. I didn't make my soup yesterday so I will try to do that today if I get time/motivation.

I'm interested in some recommendations as well please if anyone has any: any podcasts or documentaries/Netflix that are health related or interesting, (saw one recommended about UPF but can't recall the name of it). I'm also interested in some supplements, I'm sure I've seen a company where you can 'build' your own with the different elements you want. I currently take a few things all separately so it would probably save money in the long run to get one that does everything.

I've now stuffed down all my Christmas chocolate (wrappers by the bed) so my mission today is to not buy more!
An amazing audiobook I find really helpful - I've listened to a few, this one stands out to me and I'm on the 3rd or 4th listen now; I think it could also help a lot of you -
"The Subtle art of not giving a fuck" by Mark Manson

I’m listening to the latest couple of Zoe Nutrition podcasts, they’re always informative and a good motivational boost. Eg from an interview with the Atomic Habits author - start with a habit that you can still do even on a bad day. OTOH I know sometimes it works to start with big ambitions too.