This February I Will...

Options
themedalist
themedalist Posts: 3,212 Member
edited February 1 in Social Groups
rg52cv70nwt6.png

Hello February! Let's keep the momentum of the new year going. Think of all the amazing things we can achieve together this month!

If you're new here, welcome to our group! Share with us your goals for February and how we can help you achieve them. Pro tip: set regular reminders to check in with us – be it daily, weekly, or whatever suits your schedule. We’re here to cheer you on every step of the way!

For those who have just joined, there's no better time to start than now. Why wait? Jump in now and you'll be well on your way to meeting your health goals when spring finally gets here. Need some inspiration? Our list of past challenges might spark some ideas.

So, what are your priorities for February? We recommend framing your goals along these lines:

1. My goal for this month (This February I will...)
2. The small, actionable steps I plan to take towards this goal
3. My reminder or cue to keep up with my habit
5. My reward for maintaining the habit (anything from a self-compliment to a mark on the calendar)
6. How can we support you?
7. What will success look like at the end of February?

Let's make February a month of progress, positivity, and more personal growth!

🌷Denise & 🌸Maddie
@themedalist & @MadisonMolly2017


New to Habit Building?

Please review our Newcomer’s Guide and our Nuts and Bolts of Habit Building as it will help you get started.


«1

Replies

  • Empress62
    Empress62 Posts: 91 Member
    Options

    1. This February I will eat at least one vegetable or fruit serving 6 days a week. (sounds very small I know but also it is awful that I am not already doing this I think.)
    2. The small, actionable steps I plan to take towards this goal - commit to going shopping the same day that I look in the fridge and cannot find a fruit or vegetable that I want to eat.
    3. My reminder or cue to keep up with my habit - I will set a weekly reminder in google calendar.
    5. My reward for maintaining the habit - I will purchase a new fitness watch in March
    6. How can we support you? - Not sure. I think everyone has to dedicate themselves to health improvements.
    7. What will success look like at the end of February? It will be normal for me to eat fruits and vegetables at least in some small amount.

    Let's make February a month of progress, positivity, and more personal growth!
  • 77tes
    77tes Posts: 7,906 Member
    Options
    @Empress62 , that’s a great habit. Small habits are the best way to get to a goal. Two great books about building better habits are Tiny Habits and Atomic Habits, so you taking the SMART approach.

    I haven’t decided what habit I’ll work on for February, but maybe I’ll think of one this weekend.
  • TerriRichardson112
    TerriRichardson112 Posts: 18,215 Member
    edited February 4
    Options
    I had a busy January. Managed to remove some of my Xmas overage, but still a little to go. I will be focusing on being extra careful with Solid Habits around tracking, and regular exercise.

    Potted Bio - 2023
    Terri: Female; 77; living in Northern Ireland; married 57 years; 2 daughters, 3 adult grands: ex Maths teacher; volunteer group leader for U3A (University of the Third Age, life-long learning charity)
    SW: 227 (Mar 2014)
    In maintenance: August 2017
    LW: 131.2 (December 2022)
    GW: 130 < 140
    Moving forward ……
    ☃️❄️🙈🦋🙉🦋🙉❄️☃️
    ❄️☃️ February 2024 ☃️❄️
    ☃️❄️🙈🦋🙉🦋🙉❄️☃️
    I am a person who values the health and fitness of my body, mind, and soul

    Habits keep me going when motivation flags.

    This month I will ….. February focus:

    📌Continue with mindful eating: I am choosing to keep my indulgences small
    🦋🦋🦋
    📌Consolidate Solid Habits
    🪴🪴🪴
    Great Oaks from little acorns grow!
    vr1awsjfroqv.jpeg

    Daily Solid Habits:
    (Developed over time)
    💎Right This Minute: Anti procrastination strategy
    💎Just DO it!!!
    Morning Routines:
    💎Daily Meditation
    💎Walk/Make beds/Shiny Sinks
    💎Post Sole Mates steps
    💎Weigh 130 < 140/log
    💎Monitor %age Fat/Muscle
    💎Log CI<CO/Balance macros
    💎Herbal tea/supplements
    💎Self care
    💎Quality time with DH
    💎Ablutions/dress/Shiny sinks
    💎Breakfast
    In between:
    💎Intentional exercise > 60 minutes
    💎Cardio > 5500 steps
    💎Strength > 15 minutes
    💎Flex > 15 minutes
    💎Active hours > 6
    💎Zone minutes > 150 (per week)
    💎Declutter > 15 minutes
    💎Daily chores
    💎paint/draw/write/read
    💎Craft/crochet
    💎General chores
    💎Gardening
    💎jigsaw/puzzles/TV favourites
    💎Meet with friends
    💎Quality family time
    Evening Routines:
    💎Sole Mates evening reminder
    💎JGM10Ds/JFT/UAC/Hogwarts
    💎Close Fitbit rings/Zone minutes
    💎Building Healthy Habits
    💎Duolingo Latin
    💎Update Women over 50
    💎Clutter Sweep
    YOU are worth the effort!

    🧝🏻‍♀️Terri 🕊️



  • TerriRichardson112
    TerriRichardson112 Posts: 18,215 Member
    edited February 4
    Options
    @Empress62 As @77tes said, small steps are the best place to start. You can always increase the no of fruit/veg servings as the month progresses.
  • Empress62
    Empress62 Posts: 91 Member
    Options
    Empress62 wrote: »
    1. This February I will eat at least one vegetable or fruit serving 6 days a week. (sounds very small I know but also it is awful that I am not already doing this I think.)
    2. The small, actionable steps I plan to take towards this goal - commit to going shopping the same day that I look in the fridge and cannot find a fruit or vegetable that I want to eat.
    3. My reminder or cue to keep up with my habit - I will set a weekly reminder in google calendar.
    5. My reward for maintaining the habit - I will purchase a new fitness watch in March
    6. How can we support you? - Not sure. I think everyone has to dedicate themselves to health improvements.
    7. What will success look like at the end of February? It will be normal for me to eat fruits and vegetables at least in some small amount.

    Let's make February a month of progress, positivity, and more personal growth!

    .. Check in, I have succeeded 4 out of 9 days. I forgot to set the daily reminder, doing it now!
  • TerriRichardson112
    TerriRichardson112 Posts: 18,215 Member
    Options
    Potted Bio - 2023
    Terri: Female; 77; living in Northern Ireland; married 57 years; 2 daughters, 3 adult grands: ex Maths teacher; volunteer group leader for U3A (University of the Third Age, life-long learning charity)
    SW: 227 (Mar 2014)
    In maintenance: August 2017
    LW: 131.2 (December 2022)
    GW: 130 < 140
    Moving forward ……
    ☃️❄️🙈🦋🙉🦋🙉❄️☃️
    ❄️☃️ February 2024 ☃️❄️
    ☃️❄️🙈🦋🙉🦋🙉❄️☃️
    I am a person who values the health and fitness of my body, mind, and soul

    Habits keep me going when motivation flags.

    This month I will ….. February focus:

    📌Continue with mindful eating: I am choosing to keep my indulgences small
    🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋
    🦋🦋🦋
    📌Consolidate Solid Habits
    🪴🪴🪴🪴🪴🪴🪴
    🪴🪴🪴
    Great Oaks from little acorns grow!
    vr1awsjfroqv.jpeg

    Daily Solid Habits:
    (Developed over time)
    💎Right This Minute: Anti procrastination strategy
    💎Just DO it!!!
    Morning Routines:
    💎Daily Meditation
    💎Walk/Make beds/Shiny Sinks
    💎Post Sole Mates steps
    💎Weigh 130 < 140/log
    💎Monitor %age Fat/Muscle
    💎Log CI<CO/Balance macros
    💎Herbal tea/supplements
    💎Self care
    💎Quality time with DH
    💎Ablutions/dress/Shiny sinks
    💎Breakfast
    In between:
    💎Intentional exercise > 60 minutes
    💎Cardio > 5500 steps
    💎Strength > 15 minutes
    💎Flex > 15 minutes
    💎Active hours > 6
    💎Zone minutes > 150 (per week)
    💎Declutter > 15 minutes
    💎Daily chores
    💎paint/draw/write/read
    💎Craft/crochet
    💎General chores
    💎Gardening
    💎jigsaw/puzzles/TV favourites
    💎Meet with friends
    💎Quality family time
    Evening Routines:
    💎Sole Mates evening reminder
    💎JGM10Ds/JFT/UAC/Hogwarts
    💎Close Fitbit rings/Zone minutes
    💎Building Healthy Habits
    💎Duolingo Latin
    💎Update Women over 50
    💎Clutter Sweep
    YOU are worth the effort!

    🧝🏻‍♀️Terri 🕊️

  • 77tes
    77tes Posts: 7,906 Member
    Options
    @Empress62 , good idea about the reminder! Changing our food choices is hard because much of what we eat is from confirmed habits, so change is a struggle.

    My February is going well, I’m sticking with my regular habits, trying to keep practicing them. One newish habit is making a weekly plan to help e keep track of what I need to do.
    Here’s last week’s plan. Now to start on a new, and what promises to be a very busy week.
    4eiqbs9aix2r.jpeg
  • TerriRichardson112
    TerriRichardson112 Posts: 18,215 Member
    Options

    Potted Bio - 2023
    Terri: Female; 77; living in Northern Ireland; married 57 years; 2 daughters, 3 adult grands: ex Maths teacher; volunteer group leader for U3A (University of the Third Age, life-long learning charity)
    SW: 227 (Mar 2014)
    In maintenance: August 2017
    LW: 131.2 (December 2022)
    GW: 130 < 140
    Moving forward ……
    ☃️❄️🙈🦋🙉🦋🙉❄️☃️
    ❄️☃️ February 2024 ☃️❄️
    ☃️❄️🙈🦋🙉🦋🙉❄️☃️
    I am a person who values the health and fitness of my body, mind, and soul

    Habits keep me going when motivation flags.

    This month I will ….. February focus:

    📌Continue with mindful eating: I am choosing to keep my indulgences small
    🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋
    🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋
    📌Consolidate Solid Habits
    🪴🪴🪴🪴🪴🪴🪴
    🪴🪴🪴🪴🪴🪴🪴
    Great Oaks from little acorns grow!
    vr1awsjfroqv.jpeg

    Daily Solid Habits:
    (Developed over time)
    💎Right This Minute: Anti procrastination strategy
    💎Just DO it!!!
    Morning Routines:
    💎Daily Meditation
    💎Walk/Make beds/Shiny Sinks
    💎Post Sole Mates steps
    💎Weigh 130 < 140/log
    💎Monitor %age Fat/Muscle
    💎Log CI<CO/Balance macros
    💎Herbal tea/supplements
    💎Self care
    💎Quality time with DH
    💎Ablutions/dress/Shiny sinks
    💎Breakfast
    In between:
    💎Intentional exercise > 60 minutes
    💎Cardio > 5500 steps
    💎Strength > 15 minutes
    💎Flex > 15 minutes
    💎Active hours > 6
    💎Zone minutes > 150 (per week)
    💎Declutter > 15 minutes
    💎Daily chores
    💎paint/draw/write/read
    💎Craft/crochet
    💎General chores
    💎Gardening
    💎jigsaw/puzzles/TV favourites
    💎Meet with friends
    💎Quality family time
    Evening Routines:
    💎Sole Mates evening reminder
    💎JGM10Ds/JFT/UAC/Hogwarts
    💎Close Fitbit rings/Zone minutes
    💎Building Healthy Habits
    💎Duolingo Latin
    💎Update Women over 50
    💎Clutter Sweep
    YOU are worth the effort!

    🧝🏻‍♀️Terri 🕊️
  • themedalist
    themedalist Posts: 3,212 Member
    Options
    Hi Everyone! As our regular members have no doubt noticed, Maddie and I haven't been too active in the last few months as we deal with aging parents and their escalating medical needs as well as some personal challenges. I have been feeling very badly about my absence. On the flip side, I've been leading our co-leading this group for 7 years now, posting monthly and in the early years, weekly challenges. Life changes. I have more commitments now than I did 7 years ago and I'm still working those in with my full-time job. I appreciate your understanding.

    While Maddie (@MadisonMolly2017) needs to step away as co-leader, I have great news! @77tes has agreed to take the reins as the new co-leader! She is a regular contributor to our group and has a lot of experience in habit building...I am thrilled that she said yes! She will be posting the March challenge.

    Please join me in welcoming @77tes and in thanking Maddie for her many contributions to this group over the years.

    --Denise (@themedalist)
  • TerriRichardson112
    TerriRichardson112 Posts: 18,215 Member
    Options
    Denise (@themedalist)
    Maddie (@MadisonMolly2017)

    Thank you both for all you have done for us over the years. The group has been instrumental in my reaching and staying In maintenance.

    @77tes Thank you for stepping up as Co-leader.
  • TerriRichardson112
    TerriRichardson112 Posts: 18,215 Member
    Options

    Potted Bio - 2024
    Terri: Female; 77; living in Northern Ireland; married 57 years; 2 daughters, 3 adult grands: ex Maths teacher; volunteer group leader for U3A (University of the Third Age, life-long learning charity)
    SW: 227 (Mar 2014)
    In maintenance: August 2017
    LW: 131.2 (December 2022)
    GW: 130 < 140
    Moving forward ……
    ☃️❄️🙈🦋🙉🦋🙉❄️☃️
    ❄️☃️ February 2024 ☃️❄️
    ☃️❄️🙈🦋🙉🦋🙉❄️☃️
    I am a person who values the health and fitness of my body, mind, and soul

    Habits keep me going when motivation flags.

    This month I will ….. February focus:

    📌Continue with mindful eating: I am choosing to keep my indulgences small
    🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋
    🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋
    🦋🦋🦋
    📌Consolidate Solid Habits
    🪴🪴🪴🪴🪴🪴🪴
    🪴🪴🪴🪴🪴🪴🪴
    🪴🪴🪴
    Great Oaks from little acorns grow!
    vr1awsjfroqv.jpeg

    Daily Solid Habits:
    (Developed over time)
    💎Right This Minute: Anti procrastination strategy
    💎Just DO it!!!
    Morning Routines:
    💎Daily Meditation
    💎Walk/Make beds/Shiny Sinks
    💎Post Sole Mates steps
    💎Weigh 130 < 140/log
    💎Monitor %age Fat/Muscle
    💎Log CI<CO/Balance macros
    💎Herbal tea/supplements
    💎Self care
    💎Quality time with DH
    💎Ablutions/dress/Shiny sinks
    💎Breakfast
    In between:
    💎Intentional exercise > 60 minutes
    💎Cardio > 5500 steps
    💎Strength > 15 minutes
    💎Flex > 15 minutes
    💎Active hours > 6
    💎Zone minutes > 150 (per week)
    💎Declutter > 15 minutes
    💎Daily chores
    💎paint/draw/write/read
    💎Craft/crochet
    💎General chores
    💎Gardening
    💎jigsaw/puzzles/TV favourites
    💎Meet with friends
    💎Quality family time
    Evening Routines:
    💎Sole Mates evening reminder
    💎JGM10Ds/JFT/UAC/Hogwarts
    💎Close Fitbit rings/Zone minutes
    💎Building Healthy Habits
    💎Duolingo Latin
    💎Update Women over 50
    💎Clutter Sweep
    YOU are worth the effort!

    🧝🏻‍♀️Terri 🕊️


  • Bella_Figura
    Bella_Figura Posts: 4,032 Member
    Options
    Hi folks, I've just stumbled across the group and I look forward to participating in the challenges.

    My goals for February are:
    1. To drink a full glass of water with every meal
    2. To limit any between-meal snacking to a single piece of fruit (and no more than 1 snack per day)
    3. To do 3 x Zwift sessions per week

    The small, actionable steps I plan to take towards this goal are
    I'll log the water and fruit in my tracker, and I'll schedule (and sign-up-for) 3 Zwift group rides in my calendar every week.

    My reminder or cue to keep up with my habit:
    For the water I'll set my iPhone alarm; for the Zwift sessions, I'll set calendar reminders

    My reward for maintaining for the remainder of the month
    Will be to treat myself to a new audiobook on 1st March.

    How can we support you?
    By nudging me if I seem to be slacking.

    What will success look like at the end of February?
    I'll have 11 full days of compliance under my belt, equating to:
    • at least 33 glasses of water logged
    • a maximum of 11 pieces of fruit eaten between meals (and no snacks of any other type)
    • at least 4 x 60+ minutes rides on Zwift
  • themedalist
    themedalist Posts: 3,212 Member
    Options
    Thank you, @TerriRichardson112 and welcome to our group, @Bella_Figura! We are glad you are here!

    This month, I’m working on increasing my daily steps. I struggle with this in the wintertime when it’s harder to walk outside. I’m working in 10 and sometimes 15 minute walking breaks on on my treadmill. If I tie it to something I enjoy, like doing Spelling Bee on my iPad, it doesn’t take much motivation to start walking. I really like Spelling Bee (and Connections!).
  • MadisonMolly2017
    MadisonMolly2017 Posts: 11,031 Member
    Options
    Denise (@themedalist)
    Maddie (@MadisonMolly2017)

    Thank you both for all you have done for us over the years. The group has been instrumental in my reaching and staying In maintenance.

    @77tes Thank you for stepping up as Co-leader.

    Thank you so much @TerriRichardson112
    Your comments mean a lot to me. You are an inspiration to us all! Congratulations on your ability to persevere & create strategies that motivate & work for you ♥️
  • MadisonMolly2017
    MadisonMolly2017 Posts: 11,031 Member
    Options
    Hi folks, I've just stumbled across the group and I look forward to participating in the challenges.

    My goals for February are:
    1. To drink a full glass of water with every meal
    2. To limit any between-meal snacking to a single piece of fruit (and no more than 1 snack per day)
    3. To do 3 x Zwift sessions per week

    The small, actionable steps I plan to take towards this goal are
    I'll log the water and fruit in my tracker, and I'll schedule (and sign-up-for) 3 Zwift group rides in my calendar every week.

    My reminder or cue to keep up with my habit:
    For the water I'll set my iPhone alarm; for the Zwift sessions, I'll set calendar reminders

    My reward for maintaining for the remainder of the month
    Will be to treat myself to a new audiobook on 1st March.

    How can we support you?
    By nudging me if I seem to be slacking.

    What will success look like at the end of February?
    I'll have 11 full days of compliance under my belt, equating to:
    • at least 33 glasses of water logged
    • a maximum of 11 pieces of fruit eaten between meals (and no snacks of any other type)
    • at least 4 x 60+ minutes rides on Zwift

    Hi @Bella_Figura
    Wow! It is hard for me to believe that you just found this group! What a terrific job you did! I can just imagine you choosing your favorite audio book on March 1!

    Note: sometimes as we work with our Plan we see something that needs improving to make you more successful at achieving your goals. Go ahead and make those shifts!

    Good Luck & welcome!!
    Maddie
  • 77tes
    77tes Posts: 7,906 Member
    Options
    I’m glad to help this great group! I hope I do a good job.

    For me, this month has been centered around a big event - a ball this weekend. I’ve been working on cleaning house and preparing for my sister to visit for the ball.

    It was wonderful!

    For the second half of the month, I plan to bike 40 mile on my spin bike.
    To accomplish that goal, I will bike 1-2 miles each day.

    My dance group at the ball.I’m in brown in the center and my sister is in blue behind me.
    gix1ocygkuuu.jpeg
  • TerriRichardson112
    TerriRichardson112 Posts: 18,215 Member
    edited February 19
    Options
    Potted Bio - 2024
    Terri: Female; 77; living in Northern Ireland; married 57 years; 2 daughters, 3 adult grands: ex Maths teacher; volunteer group leader for U3A (University of the Third Age, life-long learning charity)
    SW: 227 (Mar 2014)
    In maintenance: August 2017
    LW: 131.2 (December 2022)
    GW: 130 < 140
    Moving forward ……
    ☃️❄️🙈🦋🙉🦋🙉❄️☃️
    ❄️☃️ February 2024 ☃️❄️
    ☃️❄️🙈🦋🙉🦋🙉❄️☃️
    I am a person who values the health and fitness of my body, mind, and soul

    Habits keep me going when motivation flags.

    This month I will ….. February focus:

    📌Continue with mindful eating: I am choosing to keep my indulgences small
    🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋
    🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋
    🦋🦋🦋🦋
    📌Consolidate Solid Habits
    🪴🪴🪴🪴🪴🪴🪴
    🪴🪴🪴🪴🪴🪴🪴
    🪴🪴🪴🪴
    Great Oaks from little acorns grow!
    vr1awsjfroqv.jpeg

    Daily Solid Habits:
    (Developed over time)
    💎Right This Minute: Anti procrastination strategy
    💎Just DO it!!!
    Morning Routines:
    💎Daily Meditation
    💎Walk/Make beds/Shiny Sinks
    💎Post Sole Mates steps
    💎Weigh 130 < 140/log
    💎Monitor %age Fat/Muscle
    💎Log CI<CO/Balance macros
    💎Herbal tea/supplements
    💎Self care
    💎Quality time with DH
    💎Ablutions/dress/Shiny sinks
    💎Breakfast
    In between:
    💎Intentional exercise > 60 minutes
    💎Cardio > 5500 steps
    💎Strength > 15 minutes
    💎Flex > 15 minutes
    💎Active hours > 6
    💎Zone minutes > 150 (per week)
    💎Declutter > 15 minutes
    💎Daily chores
    💎paint/draw/write/read
    💎Craft/crochet
    💎General chores
    💎Gardening
    💎jigsaw/puzzles/TV favourites
    💎Meet with friends
    💎Quality family time
    Evening Routines:
    💎Sole Mates evening reminder
    💎JGM10Ds/JFT/UAC/Hogwarts
    💎Close Fitbit rings/Zone minutes
    💎Building Healthy Habits
    💎Duolingo Latin
    💎Update Women over 50
    💎Clutter Sweep
    Thinking ahead to March, my focus will be heart health.
    In MarchI will …..
    … incorporate short bursts of HIIT into my daily morning workouts.
    … use Fitbit minutes to gauge heart rate.
    … earn > 150 Fitbit minutes per week
    By the end of March I will …..
    … have earned > 600 Fitbit minutes
    … have a healthier heart

    YOU are worth the effort!

    🧝🏻‍♀️Terri 🕊️

  • Bella_Figura
    Bella_Figura Posts: 4,032 Member
    Options
    Thanks for letting me join the group - I really love its ethos and set-up and I look forward to participating fully in the challenges.

    By way of introduction, I'm English, aged 58, retired and loving it! I've been a member of the site for a while, and in 2022 I reached my goal having lost 38kg (almost 40% of my starting body-weight). Unfortunately I then lost focus, neglected my support network (two other groups on this site) and over the course of 530 days I gained 9kg back, which equates to a daily calorie surplus of about 100 calories.

    Those are the 9kgs that I'm now determined to re-lose (and hopefully, with the help of this group, never re-gain ever again). I'm pretty self-discliplined and well-motivated and I try to get plenty of exercise (mainly walking and cycling) and to eat a healthy diet based mainly around veggies, whole grains and pulses, with just modest amounts of meat. My demons are portion-control and emotional eating. Some good habits stuck - for instance, even in my 530 days AWOL from the site I continued to weigh, measure and log all my intake...but portion-size crept up and at 5'1" it doesn't take much effort to over-eat by 100 calories a day over TDEE.

    I'm really glad I found this group, because it sounds exactly the group I need (though I will continue to participate in my other two groups too).
  • Bella_Figura
    Bella_Figura Posts: 4,032 Member
    Options
    My goals for February are:
    1. To drink a full glass of water with every meal
    2. To limit any between-meal snacking to a single piece of fruit (and no more than 1 snack per day)
    3. To do 3 x Zwift sessions per week

    Monday 19th
    1. Water ✅ 3 full glasses
    2. Snacks ✅ No snacks between meals today
    3. Zwift ❎️ No, but today was a scheduled rest day. I've signed up for a group ride tomorrow and put it in my planner.

    Other notes
    • I did one extra 45 minute dog walk today.
    • We went to the pub for lunch to celebrate a positive hospital appointment for my husband. I had a pint of cider with my tuna salad (and a 500ml bottle of water), and I managed to incorporate the cider calories into my daily calorie budget, coming in (literally) 1 calorie below target for the day.
  • TerriRichardson112
    TerriRichardson112 Posts: 18,215 Member
    Options
    @77tes Love the Ball gowns.