They say it's the little things in life, and I agree. In February I was back overweight and pretty unhappy so I decided to make a change and lose weight and focus more on family and hobbies rather than agonizing over work all of the time. So I cut back on fast food, started being calorie conscious, and started walking at lunchtime and exercising in the evenings. Instead of just plain exercise, I focus on sport for honesty the first time in my life. I'm constantly playing catch, playing ball with the dog, or even playing in some softball games myself. Just moving as much as humanly possible has changed my physical and mental health, and it wasn't some massive lifestyle change. Just a more fun way to live. Down 15 lbs and maybe losing another 5 but whatevs, I'm happy enough here.
What's your little tips for better physical/mental health?
Duke
MegaDork
8/27/24 12:15 p.m.
Scotty Con Queso said:
What's your little tips for better physical/mental health?
Everything in moderation. Everything.
We eat a lot on paper plates. I have switched to smaller plates. Smaller plates hold smaller portions, and trick your brain into thinking you ate more than you did.
I should get smaller dinner plates too, but I don't really have anywhere to keep them.
100% agree with Duke about moderation.
Turn off ALL social media notifications on the mobile phone. It's peaceful.
Mobility is life.
Go for a walk, set a timer and walk out and back, 5min, 10min, etc.
Just start moving!
After my heart attack in May we had to change our diet. We cut way back on salt, cheese, fatty meat (beef and pork), sweets, etc. It sucked at first but we're getting used to it. On Friday we made the first salad in my life that I've actually enjoyed. We're trying to walk at least 3 miles a day. I'm down ~5 lbs in the last 2 months since I was released from the hospital. I was down 50lbs in total over the weekend but I popped back up a little.
I'm supposed to take a treadmill test next week. After that I want to join a gym and start walking on a treadmill and doing some light strength training.
Scotty Con Queso said:
100% agree with Duke about moderation.
Well, I agree like 65, maybe 70%. Gotta agree in moderation, after all.
RevRico said:
We eat a lot on paper plates. I have switched to smaller plates. Smaller plates hold smaller portions, and trick your brain into thinking you ate more than you did.
I should get smaller dinner plates too, but I don't really have anywhere to keep them.
Smaller spoons and forks. You eat slower so your stomach has more time to tell your brain it's full and your brain sees you eating 20 spoonfuls instead of 12, so, oh man, I ate a lot.
Bike, walk, work out at the Y, play pickleball, walk the dog. The hardest part is always getting started.
I'm a lot more careful about what I eat. A lot of older folks don't get enough protein, so I've started eating more eggs and leans meats. The relationship between a good diet and good health is not emphasized nearly enough in our culture. I blame doctors. They'd rather pump you full of expensive drugs than tell you to stop putting destructive crap in your body.
mechanicalmeanderings said:
Mobility is life.
Go for a walk, set a timer and walk out and back, 5min, 10min, etc.
Just start moving!
This is what I'm talking about. Honestly what brought on my change is I'm staring at 40 in a few months. I feel like there are a lot. And I mean a lot of people who just don't do jack E36 M3 after they hit 40 and just sit around and watch TV and talk about how old and out of shape they are. I want my next 20 years to be super active so I can remain active.
j_tso
Dork
8/27/24 2:19 p.m.
mechanicalmeanderings said:
Mobility is life.
Go for a walk, set a timer and walk out and back, 5min, 10min, etc.
Just start moving!
Park at the back of the lot.
Take the stairs instead of the elevator.
In reply to 1988RedT2 :
i'm not a doctor, and I haven't seen all that many doctors in my life, and certainly there are some doctors who fit this mold. But i do think that part of being an effective medical provider is suggesting protocols that your patients are likely to follow, and i suspect that a large portion of the population is unwilling to make dietary changes, especially if there is an "easier" option (a pill). So I can't help but wonder if part of the reason doctors don't always suggest dietary changes is because they think/know/have observed that people won't take dietary advice?
Just thinking out loud
slefain
UltimaDork
8/27/24 2:32 p.m.
It may sound stupid but my wife and I got smart watches for our anniversary this year (we are both 47 years old). It nags me to get up during the day so I walk around the block. I try to get my steps in to I can meet my imaginary goal on the stupid little watch screen. I also got an ebike (GRM style: https://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/motorcycles-and-bicycles/got-a-wrecked-vivi-folding-e-bike-now-what-to-do-with-it/241579/page1/) and have been really enjoying biking again on my own terms. Some days I use the assist more than others, but I'm always pedaling.
I'm working on the moderation part in certain areas of my life, but old habits die hard.
Become good at making salads - light dressing. This was Sundays main meal at 2pm then fruit and a few tortilla chips for for my snack
Maybe 15% of this is from our garden?
