Making healthy lifestyle changes. What are you doing differently?
By Angela717
@Angela717 (74)
United States
February 6, 2008 12:37pm CST
Let me begin by stating for the record that there are few diets, diet plans, or eating regimens that I haven't tried in the pursuit of losing weight. Every plan I have attempted has failed leaving more excess pounds for me to carry. Now I don't have a problem with the way people see me, my shape, or my size. I love my body the way it is, soft and feminine. However, I'm taking steps toward being more active and certainly more aware of the food choices I make. With so much conflicting information from so-called medical experts, it's hard to know sometimes what the right choices are when it comes to food, but being more active is a no-brainer. I'm only adding activities to my list of "exercise" that I really enjoy doing. I know myself too well to try and commit to a stiff plan of sit ups or crunches or aerobics. Instead I'm forming a running list of activities that include: hiking, running with my dogs, yoga, and strength training/weight lifting. My theory is that I'm more likely to actually do the things I really enjoy. Also, I'm not trying to lose weight but rather I want to make these changes to physically feel better, have more stamina, and protect myself against various health conditions that run in my family. If weight loss occurs as a natural side effect from these changes then that will be wonderful, but if not, my heart and body will still grow stronger from these changes and I can be happy with that.
I'm just curious if anyone else is making permanent lifestyle changes to better their health and if so, what are they?
4 people like this
12 responses
@monochrome_lie (407)
• Canada
7 Feb 08
One of the biggest changes I have made for my health recently has been to start regularly consuming more water. I cannot even begin to tell you what a difference this has made for me. I used to drink a lot of juice and it took me awhile to realize just how many calories I was consuming this way, not to mention all of the sugar. Now I hardly drink any juice. I have the occasional cup of tea or glass of milk, but the majority of my hydration I'm now getting from water. I try and drink at least 2 litres of water a day. I think now that it's become a habit I am drinking more than that amount on most days. I feel so much better, I have more energy, my skin has greatly improved, and I've definitely seen noticeable weight benefits as well.
I've also been trying to eat more fruits and veggies. Fruits especially, as I am naturally a major sugar junky. Diabetes runs rather strongly on both sides of my family so this is something I definitely want to try to prevent if I have the choice. Fruit may be loaded with sugar, but it's natural unprocessed sugar that doesn't spike like crazy and have me boucing off the walls, but is usually enough to satiate my cravings.
And I try to get as much walking in as I can. It's been a lot harder in the winter months but I take stairs most of the time instead of the elevator/escalator. If it's nice outside, I'll go for a walk after dinner or get off the bus a stop or two early. In the spring/summer when it's warmer out I pretty much walk wherever I need to go.
@monochrome_lie (407)
• Canada
7 Feb 08
Your welcome :-)
I'm certainly not a healthy person by any means yet. Too many vices, and not enough self care in the end. But at least I am working on it.
Hydration is just so important, and too many people forget about it. I guess I'm lucky too because I can't stand diet soda (all that artificial sweetner tastes really gross to me) so I end of grabbing a glass of water now more than anything. The only thing that I hate it that I seem to be peeing CONSTANTLY. I wish there was some way to make my bladder bigger.
1 person likes this
@Angela717 (74)
• United States
7 Feb 08
Still, I have to give you credit for being informed and wanting to make better choices. There are so many people who bury their heads in the sand thinking that making changes will be too hard and too overwhelming, waiting until their doctor tells them to change or die and of course by then usually the damage is done.
I suppose that's why I'm really looking hard at my lifestyle and trying to make realistic changes first taking one step at a time. Too many times I've jumped right in full throttle with the idea I was going to lose all my excess weight with a big list of changes in my diet and exercise only to completely give up from failure 2 weeks later. I'm too old and too set in my ways to rearrange my whole life at once. (or maybe that's just what I tell myself LOL)
I'd be more than happy to be an accountability partner for you in this. Not that I would bug you about it or anything, but just check in weekly to remind each other to take good care of ourselves and keep baby stepping toward our goals. Let me know if this is something you would be interested in...cause lord knows I need all the help and encouragement I can get and I don't mind giving it in return.
1 person likes this
@Angela717 (74)
• United States
7 Feb 08
Getting more water is definately something I need to work on. It's amazing how quickly I forget how much better I feel when I do get plenty of water in my diet. I tend to grab a diet soda over anything else because of convenience.
Like you, I have diabetes in my family. It is something I'm trying to curb now from being an issue for me personally. It sounds like you've got a firm handle on things and thank you for sharing your tips with me. :)
1 person likes this
@DelicateFlower (314)
• United States
9 Feb 08
I'm trying to cut out processed foods, like bleached white flour and anything like that. I am a chronic label reader, MSG is definately one of my absolute no, nos. It's toxic to your body so I'm doing everything I can to eliminate it from my diet. I have heard it called "the taste that kills" because it is such a flavor enhancer, but at the same time is damaging to the body. High Fructose corn syrup is also an important thing for me to avoid because it causes such blood sugar spikes and crashes. It's really unhealthy for you. And of course I try to exercise more, but I'm not so good at following through on that one. I'm so lazy, I need to find a friend to exercise with so we can keep eachother going.
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
7 Feb 08
Angela, I like your way of thinking. I too have made some minor changes in my life. I know that diets don't work because I have been on so many and found that they are easier to go off than stay on. As a result of my changes, I have lost weight. I wasn't even trying! It feels good.
A few of the changes I have made is a change in employment. This job requirest that I am constantly on my feet and moving throughout the day. Hence the increase of activity has boosted my metabolism. My starch intake is less and my vegetable and fruit intake is upped a bit too. It is easier to make it through my day when I snack. I either have an apple or one of those 100 calorie packs. They do cost more, but they feel like cheating and you feel as if you aren't beind deprived. I rarely drink carbonated or sweetened beverages and rarely eat snack foods such as potato chips. I do eat candy, ice cream and other treats, but do it in moderation.
Live while you can live, but moderation is the key.
@Angela717 (74)
• United States
10 Feb 08
Thank you for responding Butterfly. I've been there too with all the diets. I have tried everything and even when I was able to drop a few pounds, as soon as the diet stopped, the pounds came back with few extra to boot. It sounds like you are making better choices and are feeling better for it, keep up the good choices and enjoy your better health. You are so right that moderation is the key. big hugs ~Angela
@alindahaw (1219)
• Philippines
7 Feb 08
That is really interesting! I am not really overweight but I am bit flabby on the sides. At the moment, I am doing some sit-ups to tighten my abs a little. I read somewhere that fats in the tummy can cause hypertension so I am trying to avoid that!
1 person likes this
@Angela717 (74)
• United States
7 Feb 08
Best of luck with your sit-ups :) I've never been able to keep at doing them long enough to see any changes.
@darkangel079 (1488)
• United States
7 Feb 08
I really like this topic and thanks that you're growing in using Mylot. Now about what you're saying I too am making some changes in the way I eat and drink since the beginning of this year. I'm drinking more water now and cutting down a lot if high sugar soft drinks and other beverages. The treadmill is my best friend right now. A good 45 minutes on it going about 3.5MPH fast walks listening to trance gets my body in motion. I take Dexatrim and Centrum Silver combined for my body to become one active and energetic to get my day started. I don't rely a lot on dietary supplements because a lot of them don't work. I've tried ALLI but then I thought to myself this is just ridiculous for me to spend hundreds of dollars on products I don't need. I thought now I need mind power, will power and do it the normal and natural way. Also I do martial arts training - kickboxing for one - using the legs and arm movements that moves my hips and ribs and just exercising my arms as well. So I hope you do good at what you do. Remember it's will power and sometimes we all got to cut the habits of what makes us fat.
@Angela717 (74)
• United States
7 Feb 08
Hello again. :) It's really awesome that you are so active and have great will power. You mentioned dietary supplements...if I had one fourth of the money I've spent on those products over the last 19 years, I'd at least be driving a nicer car! LOL But honestly, Because I am the cook and grocery shopper of my home, I try to keep everyone on a reasonable diet and I practice and stress to my children the importance of self control and eating not-so-healthy foods only in moderation. Almost all soda in our home is diet unless we are having guests over, no chips, or little debbies cakes either. Also, what few fried foods we eat, I always use canola or light olive oil and I drain and remove all the fat I can from meats we eat. So far, everything has checked out well for me as my cholesterol and sugar are well within normal ranges and my good cholesterol is excellent...funny story I'll have to share sometime about how fat people are treated with great prejudice by medical professionals.
But anyway, I know that I'll always be fat to some degree and I'm really fine with that although being leaner will be nice, but mainly I want my energy and stamina more than anything so I can enjoy the things I love without being hindered. Being out of breath and suffering with knee pain after a just couple of innings of kick ball with my kids is too much.
BTW - Thanks for commenting, it's good to see that I joined under someone who really participates here.
@janqlm (10)
• United States
7 Feb 08
Well, I never make New Year's Resolutions....But about a month ago, I decided I had better back away from the table, or else I would end up buying a whole new wardrobe. And let's face it - when shopping for an entire new wardrobe, us women REALLY would prefer it be in a smaller size. So - I started keeping a journal of everything I put in my mouth on a dialy basis. The journal has weekly weight loss goals and monthly goals and incentives. Then I thought once I attained my goal weight, I'd work on quitting smoking. Well...I'm not sure how it happened, but somewhere along the line, my priority shifted (completely spur of the moment) and I did away with the diet, but quit smoking. I've smoked a pack a day for 15 years and I quit cold turkey two weeks ago. So....I suppose the diet will start back up soon. Ugh.
@Angela717 (74)
• United States
7 Feb 08
Hey now THAT is a wonderful thing to be proud of! Quitting smoking is so darn hard to do that experts say the average person who quits usually doesn't quit for good until 7th attempt!! If you make it past the first 3 weeks you are smooth sailing and can resist any out of the blue or situational cravings for it. Most importantly, cigs are soooo hard on your heart and respiratory system that you will find your energy levels returning soon. That will make any diet or exercise changes much easier to do. I think you made the right choice of what to tackle first even if it was spur of the moment. Hang in there and let me know how you're doing.
@ssh123 (31073)
• India
15 Feb 08
Failures are quite expected in any venture. More so, if you do not have natural enthusiasm, curiosity, interest and deep commitment, be it a simple work or big task. I have experienced it.
There are chances many people take up too many things at one time and will not be able to do justice.
I just started with good break walk for 4 kms a day. If I do not go for a walk, I feel very uncomfortable.
Next, I am trying to keep the junk food away from me.
Thirdly, I keep the friend, oily food.
I feel a few things if we stick on that is more than sufficient.
@marciascott (25529)
• United States
7 Feb 08
Welcome to Mylot, I want to make some changes, I will start walking when the weather gets a little warmer. And walk 2x a day 5 dys, a week.
@Angela717 (74)
• United States
7 Feb 08
That sounds great! I love walking outdoors and find I rest so much better and have a much more peaceful attitude and perspective when I've had my walk. Best wishes to you on making the changes you want to. If you need encouragement, give me a yell. :)
@GardenGerty (160998)
• United States
6 Feb 08
Hi, Angela, it sounds like you are right on track. I have to get rid of a job to really have a lot more time for activity. I do get to do a few fun/active things with my second job, like dances, walking in the spring and summer, air hockey, and just walking from building to building on the campus where my adult clients live. They love to have staff participate. I eat pretty well, lots of fruits and veggies. My favorite health/fitness guru that I used to read was Covert Bailey. Many of his books include the terms Fit or Fat. I learned so much about fitness and body fat from reading his books. I would recommend any of them.
1 person likes this
@Angela717 (74)
• United States
7 Feb 08
Thank you, and trust me, I understand how busy life can be with two jobs. It's good that you eat well to keep your immune system strong. And thank you for the recomendation of Covert Bailey. I will certainly check out his books.
@mbs730 (2147)
• Canada
3 Mar 08
What I am trying to do is just eating better and watching my portions, more frequent meals and adding more exercise into my life. It is helping me lose weight. It's slow but it's working.. I guess that is the only way.
@mlhuff12 (797)
• United States
15 Feb 08
I have just started exercising in December. My main focus was to lose weight. And hoping I wouldn't be so tired all the time. Once I started exercising it would always make me think about whether I should eat something or not. How much more of a workout will I have to do to counteract it. I am not so much focused on losing weight. Because if I put all my focus on that and don't get results right away I might think that it isn't working and quit. So I changed my focus into being healty and feeling better. I had lost about 10 pounds so far. When I noticed that I did it just happened. I mean I didn't notice the first five pounds. I had just added exercise into my normal daily/weekly routine and then go on with my other things that I do. But I do know that once I started exercising my metabolism started working for once. I was always hungry, so i had to get used to it. I still do. I agree that exercise will benefit you now, but more importantly if you stick with it will benefit you when you are getting older. Where with no exercise you might need a lot of different surgerys done for maybe your back, hip, knees. Exercsing helps your bones get stronger. And there are probably a lot more benefits to exercising and eating healthier.
@sophialin (2677)
• China
17 Feb 08
recently,i'm thinking about my lifestyle,and maybe it's time to change. now i spent much time on internet and little taking exercises. considering of my health, i should eat less and exercise more
