Healthy life style and eating thread.

[halfmanhalfbronco]

Inspired by  the conversation on eating healthy and economically.  I would kindly ask any info shared in this thread please NOT be weaponized in pissing matches and insults.

I would like this to be a thread where we an share changes to our day to day life to be healthier, physically and/or mentally.

The biggest change I have made the past few months is cutting down on tobacco.  I had been smoking more and more in 2024 as my life had become very stressful.  I was up to almost a pack a day.  Right now I am down to 2 cigarettes a day, with 4 smoke breaks half a cigarette each.  Have not been able to go cold turkey, I'm weak lol.  By day 3 I always slip and end up smoking.  But, small victories.

For my mental and spiritual health, I have been practicing celibacy for a few months.  I actually really enjoy it.  The extra free time not spent DMing girls or going on dates has allowed me to get more hiking (walking really right now) and reading in.

 

Please share any success stories or goals or changes if you feel comfortable.  

 

[happycamper]

Every year I do a "mormon month". 1 month of no alcohol or caffeine. The time bounces around but in general right now I do it from the day after Valentine's day to the day before St Patrick's day. 

It helps me out in two ways, first off, it proves to me that I can stop, even if it sucks. Second off, by the end of the month, alcohol and caffeine work GREAT. A beer gets me giddy, a coffee gets me WIRED. It generally takes 4 months or so to get the same tolerance I had before.

In that same vein, I have recently started not drinking on tuesday, wednesday, thursday. mostly it's a calorie thing lol but it also means that I have a few days of not drinking so i need less for the same medium tipsy level I like the other 4 days. Frankly since Covid I have been drinking a lot more than I had before, 2-4 drinks a night consistently and i am tired of it. this works better than anything else I've done. 

[bornontheblue]

I did the Keto diet for a year and it really worked and I had success in dropping some lbs. 

It was hell on my digestive system though and I had to stop. I can't make any major diet changes during tax season because its too hard, but I will follow this thread for ideas after April 15th. 

 

 

 

[Cowboy Up]

No nicotine for me for 27 days now.  Quit cold turkey.  Was rough for a couple of weeks but it’s been easier every day since.  Don’t drink much anymore either.  A couple of beers every now and then or a whiskey here and there and that’s it

[bornontheblue]

On 2/6/2025 at 10:06 AM, Cowboy Up said:

No nicotine for me for 27 days now.  Quit cold turkey.  Was rough for a couple of weeks but it’s been easier every day since.  Don’t drink much anymore either.  A couple of beers every now and then or a whiskey here and there and that’s it

I was a  pack a day smoker from say 1994-2008. I quit cold turkey as well and it was fn hard. 

 

[retrofade]

I’m back to walking/jogging a 5k every morning. Pace is slow as hell, but at least I’m active. 

I’ve put some weight back on this winter and I need to drop it so I’m back at a comfortable spot again. 

[InnZoneU]

I paid $1500 for a Peloton+ bike about 3 years ago.  Used it about 2x.  Sits in the spare bedroom looking sad and lonely.  Maybe one day lol

[ZonaPoke]

On 2/6/2025 at 5:27 AM, happycamper said:

In that same vein, I have recently started not drinking on tuesday, wednesday, thursday. mostly it's a calorie thing lol but it also means that I have a few days of not drinking so i need less for the same medium tipsy level I like the other 4 days. Frankly since Covid I have been drinking a lot more than I had before, 2-4 drinks a night consistently and i am tired of it. this works better than anything else I've done. 

That was my first change, but I've since gone to not drinking at home anymore. An occasional happy hour beer with work friends, or 1-2 drinks if out for dinner, but that's pretty much it.

Recently got back from back-to-back week-long business trips, and my low tolerance started to do me in after the 3rd or 4th consecutive dinner with suppliers LOL.

[ZonaPoke]

On 2/5/2025 at 8:56 PM, halfmanhalfbronco said:

I would like this to be a thread where we an share changes to our day to day life to be healthier, physically and/or mentally.

The biggest improvement to my health has been to stop driving and instead walk or bike to/from yer mom's house every night 

 

 

 

On 2/5/2025 at 8:56 PM, halfmanhalfbronco said:

I would kindly ask any info shared in this thread please NOT be weaponized in pissing matches and insults.

Damn it, my bad...

[azgreg]

I tried fasting once. The worst 30 minutes of my life.

 

[Hashbrowns]

On 2/6/2025 at 9:38 AM, InnZoneU said:

I paid $1500 for a Peloton+ bike about 3 years ago.  Used it about 2x.  Sits in the spare bedroom looking sad and lonely.  Maybe one day lol

I have a friction spin bike that is the best craigslist purchase I’ve ever made. $250 and I probably have nearly 1000 hours on it the last 5 years. Trying to get in shape for a 24 hour mountain bike race in May.

Trying to lose 15-20 pounds too. Probably need to do “Mormon Month”, but not sure I am capable of quitting coffee cold turk.

[ZonaPoke]

On 2/6/2025 at 2:47 PM, Hashbrowns said:

 24 hour mountain bike race in May.

Which race? My 2 current hobbies and mountain biking and triathlon... definitely getting the itch to try and Exterra triathlon or an endurance MTB race somewhere down the road. There's a 6/12 hour race here locally in November every year that I'm considering.

[retrofade]

At this point, I think I would probably cease functioning without caffeine. I'm working 12-15 hour days and getting up at 5:30a every morning. 

[azgreg]

On 2/6/2025 at 3:03 PM, retrofade said:

At this point, I think I would probably cease functioning without caffeine. I'm working 12-15 hour days and getting up at 5:30a every morning. 

I wish I got to sleep in to 5:30.

[retrofade]

On 2/6/2025 at 3:07 PM, azgreg said:

I wish I got to sleep in to 5:30.

Well, 530 is optimistic. I have to get up between 530-545 because I have a standing 6am (9am for the east coast) morning meeting with my team. 

Apple shows my last ten wake up times were:

• 5:51am
• 4:57am
• 5:30am
• 5:32am
• 5:16am
• 5:50am
• 5:16am
• 4:21am
• 4:26am
• 4:05am

🤣

[azgreg]

My alarm is set for 4:20. I don't always make it there.

[Hashbrowns]

On 2/6/2025 at 2:05 PM, ZonaPoke said:

Which race? My 2 current hobbies and mountain biking and triathlon... definitely getting the itch to try and Exterra triathlon or an endurance MTB race somewhere down the road. There's a 6/12 hour race here locally in November every year that I'm considering.

Local one for me too. Have done this race bunch of times on 5 and 10 person teams - a fun time. Going solo this year - probably not so fun but a good challenge.

https://www.bikesignup.com/Race/WA/Spokane/24HoursofRiverside

[azgreg]

I once did a mini triathlon when I was in the Army. 1/4 mile swim, 50 mile bike, then 10k run, all in full gear with a 20 ruck sack. Kicked my ass.

[tailingpermit]

On 2/6/2025 at 12:38 PM, InnZoneU said:

I paid $1500 for a Peloton+ bike about 3 years ago.  Used it about 2x.  Sits in the spare bedroom looking sad and lonely.  Maybe one day lol

Right there with you, I just can’t stand riding inside when I live in a very bike friendly area. 

[DestinFlPackfan]

On 2/6/2025 at 11:09 AM, bornontheblue said:

I was a  pack a day smoker from say 1994-2008. I quit cold turkey as well and it was fn hard. 

 

Smoked since I was around 14 stealing cigarettes from my parents. 

I rearly smoked more than a pack every few days. 

Get drinking or doing other party stuff would increase the smoking.

I quit cold turkey, this July will be 2 years of no cigarettes.  

I , honestly,  can't stand the smell and I'm grateful that those that I love put up with that smell for so long.

There are times when having a coffee or beer or three I get the slight urge. 

@Cowboy Up as @bornontheblue said ' you got this '.