I'll start: I've started doing 15 minutes of aerobics a day. I can feel my endorphins kicking in about five minutes in. That feeling stays with me for a lot of the day. I think I'm losing a little weight, too - and even if not, I feel happier with my body.
That's in addition to lots and lots of walking - it's not my only exercise - but I truly think that this stupid 15 minutes of aerobics per day is actually making a difference in my life. I do videos - I like the ones from the Body Project, and also like to do a bunch of different 15 minute dance workouts. (I can't follow most of the moves but I can jump around.) Do you have any dumb little things you do that you think actually make your life a little better? I don't mean things that cost a ton of money or take a ton of time - but affordable stuff that easily fits in with a busy life. |
I get up a bit early and as soon as I wake up I brush my teeth, drink a big glass of water and go for a short walk.
Before I look at my phone or have coffee or anything else. Feels like it kick starts my day. |
Meal planning 1.5-2 weeks out. It's a pain in the butt, but it really streamlines grocery shopping and mostly eliminates whining about dinners during the week (b/c I strive for family consensus on the plan). |
Organized email inbox with folders and frequent use of trash. |
I have a under $20 Mr coffee coffee maker that has an automatic on feature. Before I go to bed, I fill it with fresh water and a fresh filter and coffee, and then at 5:00 a.m. it switches on and I get up to a nice fresh pot of coffee! I love to open my eyes to the smell of coffee brewing. |
Exercising every day. Peloton tread and some free weights.
HRT. Not cheap, but I get meals from a local check that I heat up. It's more expensive than cooking, less expensive than eating out, and healthier than fast food. |
Meal plan dinner delivery service Monday through Thursday, for two people. |
Last fall I started an arms workout. It takes under ten minutes, I do it three times a week, and the shape of my arms has changed. I use arm muscles now instead of straining my back. |
That's a good hack! Do you sit down with the whole family and talk through what you'll be eating every night? Do you have takeout nights scheduled or are those spontaneous? |
This one feels like GREAT self care - a term I generally hate, except when it really works. That sounds lovely. (Though the big glass of water first means I would def have to pee!) |
Listening to audiobooks from Libby while I fold laundry or clean the kitchen makes it so much better. |
Not the PP poster, but my family does this, and the meal plan gets posted on the fridge so everyone can see it for the week. We schedule a friday takeout night every week. If we do a takeout night on a different night we move the meal from that night to Friday night. |
I fold all clean clothes in the laundry room on top of the washer/dryer. Then I ask everyone to grab their clothes and put them away. It's such a small thing but when I used to put the clothes in hampers and take them to another room I always procrastinated on the folding part.
I don't meal plan everything but on Sundays I make high protein overnight oatmeals with fruit for 6 mornings a week. It means I don't have to worry about a meal first thing in the AM and the high protein gives me energy. I also try and make a veggie filled quiche every Sunday (I don't eat meat) because that and a side salad is a good protein-based lunch for 3 days or so. |
I have a beautiful ceramic dish on the console table near the front door where I place my keys. I know so many people that waste time or end up getting out the house late because they can't find their keys. |
This!!! |