How long did it take before your healthier life changes became habit?

nighthawk584

I always knew what I needed to do because I used to be into fitness years ago. I got pure lazy and depressed for 16 years. This latest journey I am on, it took the results of my A1C test to flip the switch and completely change my mindset from lazy to motivated. I haven't looked back since.

cwolfman13

IDK about "habit"...I've been active most of my life whether that be competitive athletics are just being out and active. When I was 30 I graduated university and took a job working at a CPA firm. My activity declined significantly...not because I all of a sudden didn't want to do things, but I was working 70-80 hours per week and traveling 25 weeks out of the year and had very little free time. I never had any issues with my weight until I was in my 30s and put on my weight slowly from 30-38.

When I was 38 I went in for my annual physical and my Dr. told me I was in pretty bad shape health wise so I decided I just needed to get things going again.

I do very little of what I would call "working out"...most of my exercise is recreational activity...namely I spend a good bit of time on my bike, walk my dog, some hiking and rock climbing here and there, and playing in the pool with my kids. I wouldn't really call it habit as much as I would call it enjoyment.

jjpptt2

cwolfman13 wrote: »

I do very little of what I would call "working out"...most of my exercise is recreational activity...namely I spend a good bit of time on my bike, walk my dog, some hiking and rock climbing here and there, and playing in the pool with my kids. I wouldn't really call it habit as much as I would call it enjoyment.

Sounds like a pretty good lifestyle to me...

Duck_Puddle

There was an overnight decision to start and commit.

It’s been 7 1/2 years and the rest is still not “habit”. There are foods that I know to buy because that’s what I eat, and I know I do my runs and workouts the same way I know I brush my teeth and pay the mortgage.

But it’s still a calculated choice every day to make good choices even when I have everything set so doing otherwise is a labor-intensive and incredibly inconvenient option.

steveko89

For me it's always been about actively supporting the habits I want to cultivate/maintain. I spend a good bit of energy on my process, trying to refine, improve every day and remove obstacles that keep me from executing better.

hixa30

ebony__ wrote: »

Whether it be your exercise routine or eating or what ever changes you(‘ve) set out to make became completely natural to you rather than a battle with your will power or self motivation (if that makes sense). I’ve read the 21day rule is more an absolute minimum than a rule and 66 days is a better average and there’s no ‘one size fits all’

Honestly, I have 2 lengths. Either 3-4 days, or never. It doesn't matter what you are asking about. Either I'll develop a habit after 3-4 days, or it requires constant attention.

cheryldumais

Certain things became a habit faster than others. Walking daily probably around 6 months. I now look forward to exercise! There's a sentance I never thought I would say. Food on the other hand... Sometimes the old habits come creeping back. I have been maintaining for about 2 years and I still log daily because a few times I found myself slipping back to snacking on high calorie sweets which I had completely quit except for very special occasions or grabbing that second sandwich I don't need. I think for myself I will always have to be vigilant to keep my weight in the "normal" range. It has gotten easier though. I rarely think of eating something I know I shouldn't where before it would have been an internal battle say at a restaurant not to order the creamy pasta dish I wanted. Now I look to see what's healthy and enjoyable instead. Sometimes I'm really surprised. Every experience like that makes it easier to stick with it. Which is a great example of why we need to try new things.

cwolfman13

jjpptt2 wrote: »

cwolfman13 wrote: »

I do very little of what I would call "working out"...most of my exercise is recreational activity...namely I spend a good bit of time on my bike, walk my dog, some hiking and rock climbing here and there, and playing in the pool with my kids. I wouldn't really call it habit as much as I would call it enjoyment.

Sounds like a pretty good lifestyle to me...

I can't complain...

A buddy of mine recently got into cycling and he wants me to do a century with him. I'm like ughhhh...no you don't. I did a full century once, and that was enough for me...the thought of training like that again is ughhhh. I've done a few other halves, but I'm kind of over it now and just enjoy riding for the sake of riding. I did tell him I'd do 25 with him at Day of the Tread, but that's no biggie and it's flat as hell.

amusedmonkey

It varied for me. Some things stuck instantly I wondered why I never considered them before, other things took anywhere between a few days and several months of gradual changes, some things I keep doing, stop doing, then go back to do them again over and over, and other things I'm still trying to figure out even now that I've transitioned to maintenance 7 years later, I'm still looking for ways to make them more natural and not making as much progress as I would like. Even now, even with already established habits years later, I'm still learning about myself and finding ways to improve on the strategies I already have to make them more and more natural.

GaleHawkins

ebony__ wrote: »

Whether it be your exercise routine or eating or what ever changes you(‘ve) set out to make became completely natural to you rather than a battle with your will power or self motivation (if that makes sense). I’ve read the 21day rule is more an absolute minimum than a rule and 66 days is a better average and there’s no ‘one size fits all’

@ebony__ when I found a Way Of Eating that started to drop my high pain levels of 40 years duration in just 15 days sticking with my new WOE long term was a given. After 90 days I was making progress in a technical sense with my new WOE but after 5 years I am still tweaking as my understanding of the human body and its health improves from daily reading of human health research efforts. For exercise I only walk most of the time.

This summer I got throwing back into the barnyard for the first time in 50 years and I was not excited about it and wanted to ditch the horses and dogs. After I chilled I knew I had to make this work at my age for the sake of my family. The daughter got her first summer job out of town and is now in Europe for her fall semester when a horse bumped my wife and caused her to fall breaking her hip which put her on full bed rest for 6 weeks. She counted on me to bring her meals as did the horses and dogs.

In short had I not made my healthier life changes 5 years ago I would not have been able to have done this for the wife, horses and dogs. When we bite the bullet and do for ourselves it can in the end be even more about others than ourselves. The son is getting married in three weeks and I have been helping get the old place he is buying fixed up. I never realized at the age of 68 I would have others counting on me so I am glad I made the life changes so I can be there for them. I had both hips replaced 1 Aug 1991 and my wife stayed by my side for 3 weeks in the hospital so I am glad to have the health to stand in for her now. Thankfully her bones are still health and other than the 3 screws both hips look the same now.

When I look beyond ME it it is easier to do good things for ME.

In time if we look hard enough we can find a Way Of Eating and a Way of Exercising that gives up a better chance in our late years still being active years so we can help others.

Best of continued success.