26th 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, as I know I'll give up if I'm too ambitious... Feel free to join me if you'd like!

I started with a challenge to drink more water, and later to have a daily walk. Last week my aim was to cut out soft drinks, but I allowed myself 1 can of juice. I did well last week - we went to the cinema and also had a meal out, but I stuck to water both times. I did have two glasses of diluting juice at work, which isn't ideal, but I saved my 1 can of lemonade for Sat. I think this was good, I've broken the regular juice habit, and just have to keep it at bay.

Unfortunately I didn't keep up with my daily walks, I've been so sedentary! So this week I'm going to aim to:

Hit the recommended 150 minutes of exercise.

I want to try out a new gym near my work, and I should try going for a few walks over lunch too. It's been raining a lot here lately, which has kept me indoors though, so this challenge will force me to find a few indoor exercises!

[Cockneyblue Restart March 2025]

I have lemon squash made up and in the fridge this is 4 calories, is this okay as I don't like water but I drink about a litre of this a day.

[Cooper27 in reply to Cockneyblue]

It's absolutely fine if that's what you like

For me, diluting juice is a personal gripe. I try to avoid artificial things if I can, and diluting juice falls inder that bracket. I sometimes have diluting juice at work though if I've not been drinking enough water, it just breaks the day up a bit.

If drinking diluting juice makes sure you drink enough (which is important because we mistake dehydration for hunger), and it keeps you away from worse soft drinks, I think that's ok. Just bear in mind it's artificial, so a glass of water with a wedge of real lemon is better for you.

[dish70]

I like lime cordial and soda and keep that in the fridge if I fancy juice . My challenge is drinking too much coffee at work and not enough water , I aim to have a glass of water for every coffee but don't always succeed .

I have used running up and down the stairs at home as many times as I can manage before stopping ,having a few minutes then do again ,its good on rainy days only down side is the dog goes mental and thinks you are playing. LOL.

[Cooper27 in reply to dish70]

Yeah, I bet your dog tries to 'help' too!

We are in a flat, so I'm afraid no stairs for rainy days. There are communal stairs, but then I risk neighbours seeing me! We have some b****y neighbours...

My ideas are to stick on a bit of music and have a boogy, do a squat challenge, jog on the spot. We're also a top floor flat, so I can take things down to the bins and jog back up again as a way to 'hide' my exercise from the neighbours!

[dish70 in reply to Cooper27]

Ah that's a shame about the stairs. Squats and dancing to music would do it am sure or you could buy a step block maybe second hand .

Good luck

[IndigoBlue61]

Good targets 😊 Well done on the drinking 😊 It is an excellent idea to have achievable targets and use a step by step approach, good habits will quickly form 😊

For indoor exercise check out Lesley Sansomes Walking videos on YouTube 😊 They're good fun and easy to follow.

Good luck 😊

[Cooper27 in reply to IndigoBlue61]

I've checked them out before, but they looked a little too basic for my liking. I'm hoping to get up to jogging 5k, so maybe can try them with jogging on the spot instead though!

[Cooper27]

Well so far this week, I managed 5 mins! Must get moving!