Happy almost new year! This week and January are a time when diet culture is cranked up to 11 everywhere you look. It can be super overwhelming to hear about everyone's new eating and exercise resolutions, plus ads for diets and gyms everywhere you go. For many people starting a diet in the new year is an annual tradition, and leaving that behind is really hard to do. Sending support to anyone that is letting that go or trying to, or even if you're not ready to, I get it!
I do like to make resolutions/goals for the new year but I know not everyone does. I'll share some of mine below and some really helpful posts on instagram I've seen this week.
Reminder that this is not a diet thread, we are here to talk about overall wellness but reject diet-culture. Also try to keep @ posts out of this thread if you can but tag them if you need to use them!
I have some goals that are not wellness related at all, like finally getting a handle on my email inbox and the thousands of photos I have saved on the cloud. I need to get this shit organized as we go into a new decade!! I'm also going to try to cook dinner once a week. My husband is the cook in our marriage and I can cook but I dislike it. I know it would help him if I did one meal a week though.
Wellness goals include continuing to work with my therapist and dietician at the eating disorders clinic, trying to find a kind of movement that I ENJOY, and doing more reading on these topics. I need to finish Intuitive Eating and I bought a copy of Health at Every Size that I want to tackle too. It's huge but I know it is full of good stuff. The new Anti-Diet book looks awesome too, I put a hold on it at the library.
Also going to try to be better about posting this thread more than once a month! Maybe every other week or every 3 weeks. Anyone else is welcome to start it too!
I wrote a blog post about the last year and my experience getting help for my disordered eating and it will come out sometime this month, I'll share it when it does. I don't usually blog about personal stuff so it's always a little nerve wracking.
Wellness goal: Continue working with my personal trainer all year. That sounds....intimidating to me. Or not intimidating, but, kind of tiring. but I've been going weekly for a few months and like it, so I want to stick to it this year. I like knowing that I'm getting stronger, which is the focus of the training -- building muscle mass for the second half of my life.
A related wellness goal (I think this fits) is to move my phone charger to the bathroom vs next to my bed, so that I don't spend time on the phone every night. Ha. We'll see how that goes. I sleep well, but I'd love to do more reading books and less reading twitter.
Post by secretlyevil on Dec 31, 2019 16:22:29 GMT -5
I have plans to not let work life get in the way of things that support a healthier me - when I workout regularly I tend to make better foods choices and drink less. I have purposefully given up alcohol through my half marathon in June. I’ll be honest, alcohol has been excessive for almost a year now.
I will continue going to Pilates once a week, running three times per week and a strength/boxing workout per week. I would like to complete the intuitive eating workbook and focus on my mental wellbeing.
Post by BlondeSpiders on Dec 31, 2019 16:32:42 GMT -5
My main wellness goal this year is to find fun, sustainable exercise. I live near an abundance of health clubs, but they are the standard cardio and weights types. I'm terribly out of shape and don't find treadmills, bicycles or anything like that fun. I may buy a membership with the best of intentions, but I know I won't enjoy it and will crap out eventually. I know there is a fun kind of fitness out there that I will want to participate in regularly.
There's a tennis club 5 minutes from my work but the startup fee is prohibitive. If I can make a serious commitment to it I can save up for a few months, and I really miss playing tennis.
This Christmas, Santa brought my FI a Nintendo Switch and an Oculus Quest for me. I can find sports/exercise games for both systems, but I'll be playing by myself.
I keep thinking if I can burn off more calories than I take in, I won't need to diet as strictly.
BlondeSpiders that is how I feel about gyms too. I have at times in the past enjoyed aerobics classes but I am nowhere near in the shape I was back when I did those, so not sure I would enjoy them at this point, ha. But treadmill/etc. doesn't do it for me so seems like a waste of money. I wish I were a better swimmer. I can do water walking in the lazy river at the community center, would be the youngest one there, ha.
I've slept terribly the last two nights despite it being a low-stress time of year, skipping afternoon coffee, and getting at least an hour of outside exercise each day. I also took melatonin and kept off my screen before bed.
Besides avoiding coffee and alcohol and not eating right before bed, are there other food-related tips for better sleep?
ETA realized I didn't write this as a goal at all. My resolution is to try to find a solution to my insomnia.
BlondeSpiders I hate working out inside. I'd rather run outside in the dark at -20 than run on a treadmill. Are there outdoor options in your area? Also much more fun and motivational if you have a friend (even a furry one) to join you.
Post by seeyalater52 on Dec 31, 2019 17:38:01 GMT -5
Ive been eating basically whatever I want for the past 2 weeks since I’ve been off from work and I feel awful and my skin looks awful. Going to try to get back to eating in a way that nourishes my body when I’m back to work. It doesn’t help that my exercise routine is tied to work.... which means my barre studio is more than an hour away from my house. Great for accountability to my goals during the work week, but not great when I’m off from work!
Resolving to get back to 3x a week at barre in the new year starting Jan 3rd. I was doing so well before the break!
Also loving my new Fitbit which buzzes to tell me to stop being so sedentary.
Ive been eating basically whatever I want for the past 2 weeks since I’ve been off from work and I feel awful and my skin looks awful. Going to try to get back to eating in a way that nourishes my body when I’m back to work. It doesn’t help that my exercise routine is tied to work.... which means my barre studio is more than an hour away from my house. Great for accountability to my goals during the work week, but not great when I’m off from work!
Resolving to get back to 3x a week at barre in the new year starting Jan 3rd. I was doing so well before the break!
Also loving my new Fitbit which buzzes to tell me to stop being so sedentary.
I got a Garmin watch for Christmas and while I'm not watching my steps or anything on it I do like the little buzz reminder to move.
1. Meditate at least 3 times a week 2. Read more (it's good escapism for me and should be easier since I have a long work break) 3. Take a nap at least a few times a week. I'm good at this one 4. Get back to eating more fruits and vegetables. I've moved too much in the direction of dairy and carbs and know more veggies would give me more energy.
Post by litebright on Dec 31, 2019 19:10:14 GMT -5
I joined a new gym in mid-December, in part because I wanted to be settled into it before the New Year and I specifically didn't want it to be about a NY resolution. It's a mom-and-pop sort of pseudo-Crossfit place (but without some of the things I think are downsides/risks to Crossfit) and I have already gone multiple times, including Christmas Eve and the day after Christmas -- I can't remember the last time I worked out around a holiday like that, so I'm feeling good about that. I am hoping that I am past the worst of the soreness now and I can buckle down and be consistent. That has been my biggest challenge.
The classes are tough, but also really satisfying! I also am hoping this will be a social outlet for me, and I am already meeting a few people and actually remembering names, so that's good as well.
My resolution for this year is to be in more pictures, so I'm going super simple and steering clear of basically everything health and/or weight related. Except that I have to say that, tangentially, I guess I am still hoping that working out regularly will help me feel better about myself being in more pictures.
BlondeSpiders that is how I feel about gyms too. I have at times in the past enjoyed aerobics classes but I am nowhere near in the shape I was back when I did those, so not sure I would enjoy them at this point, ha. But treadmill/etc. doesn't do it for me so seems like a waste of money. I wish I were a better swimmer. I can do water walking in the lazy river at the community center, would be the youngest one there, ha.
Try an adult lesson! After our Christmas trip in 2017, I resolved that I wanted to be able to swim better. I could swim, but I’d get nervous and I wasn’t confident. H would want to swim out to a reef 100 yards off the beach, and I wouldn’t go. Being a dumbass, he’d go anyway and instead of being nervous in the water, I’d be nervous on th beach that he didn’t have a buddy. Anyway, I digress. I took intermediate level swimming lessons and then moved on to a coach program. Now I go every Saturday and want to do an open water swim next summer! It’s also useful bc I hate sweating and need to exercise.
so that’s my current 2020 goal. Also, trying to not eat meat. Not in a vegan way, although I would like to try to do vegan lunches. And I know this isn’t weight related, but I was looking at pictures of me from a year ago vs now, and I really don’t want to gain back the weight I lost in the past year, even if it wasn’t the best way to lose it. I also probably lost muscle mass, so I need to build that back up.
Ive been eating basically whatever I want for the past 2 weeks since I’ve been off from work and I feel awful and my skin looks awful. Going to try to get back to eating in a way that nourishes my body when I’m back to work. It doesn’t help that my exercise routine is tied to work.... which means my barre studio is more than an hour away from my house. Great for accountability to my goals during the work week, but not great when I’m off from work!
Resolving to get back to 3x a week at barre in the new year starting Jan 3rd. I was doing so well before the break!
Also loving my new Fitbit which buzzes to tell me to stop being so sedentary.
I got a Garmin watch for Christmas and while I'm not watching my steps or anything on it I do like the little buzz reminder to move.
Ooooooohhhhh... which one? Share with the class. I got my niece a vivomove and it’s been a lot of fun doing step challenges with her and chatting through the challenge.
My “resolutions” are to get back to a daily meditation practice and to eat with my hunger cues instead of by the clock. I’ve been doing that over break and I feel really great. I’m not sure how that will translate when I go back to work because I have very timed eating habits at work.
My phobia is getting better (maybe it doesn’t look that way on the outside - but I know it is internally) and I want to keep that progress moving. Last year, someone at work got sick and I was manically cleaning the whole place, sobbing and freaking out. This year when someone got sick, I was still anxious and I still cleaned, but I did it calmly and rationally. I have shockingly not had a depressive episode since April ish and I want to celebrate that but also not fear a return.
I enjoyed training for my solo half last month and I plan to do it again with my BFF for her first half. I felt very balanced with my workouts this year. I ran, did yoga, and lifted and had fun with little pressure.
My wellness related resolutions are finding movement I like and doing it at least twice a week (I liked Orangetheory when I did it years ago, so I decided to try that again) and to declutter. When my house is clean without clutter on surfaces, my mental state is so much calmer and more relaxed.
Related to this, I am focusing on workouts that I love. Since this summer, I have been having a great time running and transitioned really well to the treadmill this winter. I've been really motivated by using Nike Run Club for coached workouts (not utilizing competitive aspects of apps) and just having fun while I run.
My first priority is 31 workouts in 31 days of 15 minutes or more. For me, it’s about the way is clears my mind and gives me a reset to remember that I am important too. I don’t care about calories burned- just about moving.
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My wellness related resolutions are finding movement I like and doing it at least twice a week (I liked Orangetheory when I did it years ago, so I decided to try that again) and to declutter. When my house is clean without clutter on surfaces, my mental state is so much calmer and more relaxed.
My wife has been doing Orange Theory for about 6 months how and loving it! I still think it’s basicaply a cult (😂) but they’ve been so accepting of them and their body type and fitness goals in a way that neither of us were expecting from a “hardcore” gym. I hope you enjoy it!
Post by mrsukyankee on Jan 1, 2020 10:08:11 GMT -5
I want to get back into weight lifting. We had our own bunch of free weights and a cage at our house and I want to use them when we get our new house, so I'm doing some machines right now at a gym we joined near our rental. I also love using the elliptical machine and I'm looking at possibly buying one of those in the future. So, my goal is to start working out again and do more stuff to help with any anxiety that pops up this winter/spring.
I have a Apple Watch and love the fitness tracker thing. So my resolution in regards to workouts is the same as last year. 20 workouts a month. Plus I want to get myself to do crow pose in yoga by the end of the year. Working out is my biggest tool to control my anxiety and clear my mind.
I do intermittent fasting not as a way to lose weight, but as a way to streamline my day. It honestly has been so freeing to just give myself a 8 hour window to eat and then not worry about it from there. I pay attention to foods that give me energy and make me feel good. But if sweets or unhealthy foods are consumed, meh no big deal. I have a pretty regimented lifestyle so this fits right in.
And as always one of my goals is to accept that my body is already good enough. No need for improvement.
oh and reduction in days of week that alcohol is consumed. Two should be the max for me. I always let that number creep up, but reducing consumption is my main personal goal.
Post by penguingrrl on Jan 1, 2020 13:42:09 GMT -5
For the first time in many years of doing it, I’m finally enjoying running. I started doing it many years ago when money was tight and I could do that for the cost of a good pair of sneakers, no other money needed. It’s funny because I’ve since joined a gym and tried classes, but the insecure child who was teased mercilessly in gym class comes out so I find exercising with other people embarrassing even though it’s totally in my head. Running alone works for me, but it took until now to actually enjoy doing it (due to lung issues related to a congenital deformity at birth, I run inside much of the time). Over the years I got good, then often stopped, but always eventually went back to it. Now I’m on a streak of 2.5 years of keeping at a routine with running with few interruptions, so now I’m setting a bigger goal.
My goal for this year is to run 1,000 KM over the year. First 5K is down, only 995K to go lol!
And I want to eat in a way that better nourishes my body. I’m generally very good, but the past few weeks I haven’t been and I’m feeling more sluggish. I’m definitely ready to get back into my usual routine of cooking nutritious food, much of it plant-based for health and environmental reasons.
Post by pinkballoons on Jan 1, 2020 14:31:47 GMT -5
I started a Pilates class once a week in September and I love it. By the end of the year, I hope to be up to two classes a week, which relates more to getting our finances in order to make that feasible.
I’d like to spend less time on my phone doing mindless things. If anyone has an app for that they’d like to recommend, that would be awesome.
We live in an area with amazing hiking and we just don’t take advantage of the trails. My big goal is to get us outside more and this seems like a perfect way to accomplish that.
My wellness related resolutions are finding movement I like and doing it at least twice a week (I liked Orangetheory when I did it years ago, so I decided to try that again) and to declutter. When my house is clean without clutter on surfaces, my mental state is so much calmer and more relaxed.
My wife has been doing Orange Theory for about 6 months how and loving it! I still think it’s basicaply a cult (😂) but they’ve been so accepting of them and their body type and fitness goals in a way that neither of us were expecting from a “hardcore” gym. I hope you enjoy it!
One of the things I like most about OTF is how friendly and accepting everyone is of different fitness levels and body sizes. I’ve been in various stages of injury recovery for the last few years, and the coaches have always been super-supportive of my current ability levels and goals. And other patrons are super-friendly. I’ve experienced this at every studio I’ve ever worked out at (which is like 6 or 7?) so while it may not be that what everywhere, it’s pretty common.
Post by wanderingback on Jan 1, 2020 16:57:37 GMT -5
1) Properly train for the Berlin marathon/consistently go to running group. The last 2 marathons I did my training was not ideal. I need to stick to a plan this year.
2) Stick with going to class pass. So far I love it! It helps keep me accountable because you can’t cancel a class within 12 hours without incurring a fee. I love the variety of workouts I can do and they even have wellness options liking sports massages.
3) Get up at 5 or 6am every morning to either workout, meditate or read. I’m not naturally a morning person, but I love getting up a couple hours early in the morning before the world is awake and just having that quiet time to myself without being distracted. This means strict bedtime of 1030 or 11.
4) Reduce alcohol consumption. I haven’t quantified this yet. I’m about to head to another party right now. I think after today I’m going to do no drinking for 30 days, then more realistically go to drinking max 1-2 times per week. Tea instead of wine at night.
5) Piece of fruit or veggie everynight before bed.
My largest goal it's too be less indecisive but today it's hard to quantify. I also intend to do some kind of meal planning since I end up not eating anything for dinner when I am on own and need to make a decision.
We got this amazing new treadmill on Saturday and it has the potential to be life-changing. I love it so much.
This has to be a year of health for me and I'm really focused on it. Not just eating better (I'm also trying to eat less meat this year - I've set a goal of 3 vegetarian dinners a week) and exercising more (see treadmill above) but also just getting my shit together. I want to see my doc for a check-up. I need to find a new dentist. I need to go to the eye doctor. I need to sleep more.
I also really need to drink less. I'm a social drinker and I'm not a one drink kinda gal. I am aiming for no more than 5 drinks over the course of a week (which probably sounds like a lot but it's a big step back for me)
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