18th Sept - this week I aim to...

[Cooper27]

Hi all!

I've been setting myself some weekly aims to help me gradually develop healthier habits. I'm posting them publicly here, as it will help me keep accountable, but I also figured people might like to join me. It's not a weight loss target, and I'm trying to keep them achievable. Feel free to join me if you'd like!

In previous weeks, I've set aims to drink more water (which I'm still keeping up), walk every day (which I've not kept up), and last week I aimed to cut out sugar, except for some pre-planned birthday cakes. I think I managed ok, I had more sugarry treats than intended, but less than I've had in previous weeks. This is one I do need to keep up with though - I've become really dependent on sugar recently (I have been comfort eating a lot, and put a lot of weight back on because of it).

The next thing I want to address is the amount if soft drinks that have crept into my diet again. I mostly drink diet drinks to keep the calories down, but I don't want it to become a real habit. So this week, my aim is to only have one soft drink - and because I'm only allowed one, I will make sure I save it for a treat.

[Cockneyblue Restart Jan 2024]

All good Cooper27, I still have trouble drinking water it just so boring. I have started making up lemon juice and keeping it in the fridge which is a bit more bearable does that count or does it have to be water. I'll go back to walking although I have been doing at least 6000 steps a day I will increase this amount. Thank you for sharing your pledges it had made me think about my own again.

[Ulala]

Definitely give up the diet drinks. They are full of artificial ingredients which your body cannot break down and also make you crave more sugar.

I used to do ww, and lived the idea of filling myself up with Diet Coke. What a fool I was. It's full if rubbish. Even the low fat foods available aren't good for you.

Stuck with the water. Treat yourself now and again , try sparkling water , dash if Ribena if you want.

Good luck 👍

[Cooper27 in reply to Ulala]

I agree, I only drink them for the caffeine - I'm not a fan of coffee or tea, but some days you just need a little boost! Problem is it can become a habit. I usually just drink water or sparkling water, although I sometimes have a soft drink at the pub too.

[nteapea]

I am definitely aiming to drink more water. I think I will join you and cut out squash this week

[IndigoBlue61]

Great goals! And good to post them publicly, it really helps 😊

If I may I will join you, as an old timer I am pretty good with my eating generally, but hubby has been on holiday and we have been eating out etc so I feel the need to knuckle down this week! 😊 This week I aim to stick to plan 100% and stop the recent habit of sweet treats in the afternoon! 😜

Good luck to us both!

[Cooper27 in reply to IndigoBlue61]

It's weird how quickly bad treats become habit, isn't it? One week of afternoon cake, and you're fighting the habit for a year...

[IndigoBlue61 in reply to Cooper27]

It certainly is Cooper27 !! 😊

Two days done 😊 It was a struggle I can tell you!! 😊

[anniered]

I've started drinking sparkling water with a splash of lime, it's almost like having a fizzy drink! I buy loads of it to make sure I don't run out, only 39p a bottle in Lidl 😊

Ps I hate ordinary water

[Cooper27 in reply to anniered]

Yeah, this is my go to in the pub! I actually don't mind water. The stuff in my city tastes awful, so I filter it to make it taste better, but I find that by drinking onky water, you grow to like it.

I bought an infuser water bottle a few weeks ago to let me flavour my water with bits of lime/lemon, raspberries, mint etc. That's quite nice - I'm still experimenting with the stuff I put in it, but it's a nice idea if you get bored of lime cordial!

[Embres]

I would also like to join you. I'm fairly ok on drinks I don't do fizzy as low cal not only make you crave the sweetness but artificial sweeteners are highly likely to be carcinogens. However swopping my squash for water is on the to do list of healthy habits. More walking would also be good as I already exercise but it's 2 intense bursts so a lower impact but more frequent activity would help.

[Cooper27 in reply to Embres]

I know, I hate thinking about what they put in soft drink I usually only drink them for a caffeine boost, but I've been having a can nearly every day recently. The sooner I stop the habit the better!

[Craftyperson]

Small challenges a good way to go. As for exercise do you have stairs at work could climb instead of using lift and do same whenever you can