If You Made Health Resolutions For 2024, How's It Going?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Doing Dry January again. Day 4. Totally fine.

What did you get out of dry January last year? I’m trying it this year, so far so good but going to a party tonight so it will be harder.

First, it was harder than it should have been, which was a red flag.

Second, I truly felt much better after about a week without wine -- better sleep, better mornings, better attitude.

Third, my annual bloodwork two months later (March) was PERFECT. Not true the year before.

I also managed to reduce my consumption for several months after DJ. Then we went on vacation, and to a 4-day wedding, and to the beach and I was back to nightly wine. Then the holidays and fuggedaboudit. Time for another annual reset.

Would you consider yourself an alcoholic?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Doing Dry January again. Day 4. Totally fine.

What did you get out of dry January last year? I’m trying it this year, so far so good but going to a party tonight so it will be harder.

First, it was harder than it should have been, which was a red flag.

Second, I truly felt much better after about a week without wine -- better sleep, better mornings, better attitude.

Third, my annual bloodwork two months later (March) was PERFECT. Not true the year before.

I also managed to reduce my consumption for several months after DJ. Then we went on vacation, and to a 4-day wedding, and to the beach and I was back to nightly wine. Then the holidays and fuggedaboudit. Time for another annual reset.

Would you consider yourself an alcoholic?

Yes

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Doing Dry January again. Day 4. Totally fine.

What did you get out of dry January last year? I’m trying it this year, so far so good but going to a party tonight so it will be harder.

First, it was harder than it should have been, which was a red flag.

Second, I truly felt much better after about a week without wine -- better sleep, better mornings, better attitude.

Third, my annual bloodwork two months later (March) was PERFECT. Not true the year before.

I also managed to reduce my consumption for several months after DJ. Then we went on vacation, and to a 4-day wedding, and to the beach and I was back to nightly wine. Then the holidays and fuggedaboudit. Time for another annual reset.

Thanks PP. I’m not a nightly wine person but I’m still giving DJ a try simply because I feel I overindulged in both food and alcohol over past few months. The bolded is a fantastic benefit for you!

[Anonymous]

I’m pretty all or nothing, and tend to be bold, so I’m doing a bunch of stuff at once:

-started training for a half marathon - had not run since 2021 (no exaggeration)
-cut out alcohol
-cut out added sugar
-cut out gluten

I’ve slipped a bit with the sugar (had a piece of chocolate at my moms) and gluten (ate pasta at my moms because that’s what they were having for dinner), but otherwise doing well and being consistent. Back home now so don’t have those temptations around.

I am really glad I’ve stopped drinking…even though I only committed to the month, I can see this being a permanent lifestyle change. My body really doesn’t like alcohol anymore and hangovers have gotten worse and worse (I’m 38). I just don’t think the juice is worth the squeeze on that anymore.

Interestingly, by not eating sugar/bread, I don’t *want* to eat sugar or bread.

I have a lot more energy and my sleep is wonderful. Very vivid dreams.

Great job everyone! Keep it up.

[Anonymous]

I heard that the freezing rain was supposed to start by 7:30, so I got myself ready to go for a run early (on a Saturday!). Got 4.1 miles done. 8:17 and still no freezing rain yet though!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I heard that the freezing rain was supposed to start by 7:30, so I got myself ready to go for a run early (on a Saturday!). Got 4.1 miles done. 8:17 and still no freezing rain yet though!

But don't you feel great now knowing that you did it! Great job.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I heard that the freezing rain was supposed to start by 7:30, so I got myself ready to go for a run early (on a Saturday!). Got 4.1 miles done. 8:17 and still no freezing rain yet though!

But don't you feel great now knowing that you did it! Great job.

Thanks boo

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I heard that the freezing rain was supposed to start by 7:30, so I got myself ready to go for a run early (on a Saturday!). Got 4.1 miles done. 8:17 and still no freezing rain yet though!

But don't you feel great now knowing that you did it! Great job.

Thanks boo

lol Are you taking credit for my 4.1, or did you also do the same?

In any case, thanks pp! I do feel better that I got it done out of the way!

[Anonymous]

Still working on eating holiday candy

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I heard that the freezing rain was supposed to start by 7:30, so I got myself ready to go for a run early (on a Saturday!). Got 4.1 miles done. 8:17 and still no freezing rain yet though!

You did more by 8:17 then some of us will do all weekend. Way to go!

[Anonymous]

Fine. My resolutions are about adding in things rather than taking them away. It’s working to the point that the things that I would want to take away are naturally decreasing — and, so far, I don’t really miss them. I started this a bit before the New Year, so I’m about 10 days in.

[Anonymous]

A little over a year ago lab work showed my creatinine/albumin levels high. I completely cut out sodas, lowered my carb intake, and last January my lab work was much improved and back in the normal range. I did the annual check with the lab work last week and my levels had skyrocketed. I was thinking they might be up based on my diet over the past month or so but the actual increase threw me for a loop. I was definitely eating the pizza, soft pretzels, Coke and some beer. I don’t know how much of the increase was just due to December eating but I’m determined to drop those levels back to where they were. Back to the water and unsweetened tea.

[Anonymous]

I want a to increase my gym visits from 3 to 4 or 5 and eat more protein. I have a few other resolutions but they have nothing to do with health and fitness… I really did what I resolved to do last year so I am very encouraged this year.

[Anonymous]

So far so good, my goals were to swim more and to walk more, and I just got home from another night of swimming. I feel good.

[Anonymous]

I'm following Jesse Itzler. I got his Big A$$ calendar. It's a pretty basic concept and probably overpriced for what it is, but it has been amazingly effective.

Two things I love about his philosophy: Decide the one big thing you're going to do: write a book, run a marathon. And then schedule it. That's obvious. But the idea is to make it visual and also to giving yourself at least one big moment/goal/accomplishment for the year.

Secondly, he suggests scheduling one mini adventure every 8 weeks. Something that you don't normally do.

Thirdly, he suggest adding one new habit each quarter. Something simple like drinking more water, for example.

I'm off to a great start this year and I feel like I have projects rather than resolutions. And I know how to get projects done. It's made a difference in mindset and it's very effective. And fun.