Building Healthy Habits

Join

This May Be Habit Forming

Options
77tes
77tes Posts: 7,905 Member
edited April 30 in Social Groups
Let's all be habit forming this May


May is such a great month! Even a groan-worthy pun like the one I started with can’t dim the brightness of May! It’s no wonder that May Day was met with a celebration of flowers and dance! Before summer begins, we get a glorious month to delight in birdsong and flowers in bloom.

1craoq3gd2pr.jpeg

So what kind of habit will YOU be forming this month?

How about a small change to your food choices:
  • More veggies?
  • Drink more water/fewer high calorie beverages?
  • Change up those macros?
  • Fewer snacks?
Maybe you’ll be adding in some new exercise:
  • More walking in the May meadows?
  • Strength training?
  • Yoga/flexibility?

Maybe you want to tackle a personal goal:
  • Better sleep?
  • Journaling?
  • Meditating?

Try setting up your habit using this loop!
Cue:
Seedling Habit:
Reward:

Or
Try framing your goals along these lines:

1. My goal for this month (This May 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 May?

So let’s be forming good habits this May, making it a month of movement, motivation , and more personal growth!

Happy May!

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.
«13

Replies

  • donna25trinity
    donna25trinity Posts: 3,044 Member
    edited May 1
    Options
    Goals for may;
    Weigh myself in morning to keep me accountable!
    Track everything to a tee, u cant unrun a bad diet!
    Check these goals everyday, remembering the more I do wat i say im going to do the more I can believe and trust in myself again!
    Use the time of my leave next week to get back on track.
    Be Active in MFP to be around like minded ppl!
    Focus on personal to do list, tidying up, keep busy as it feels good getting stuff done, makes work seem less important and means i can relax more on the weekend!
    Be mindful that i am making my decisions at work based on fear and control! This is the cause of my stress. Yes I'm def over worked but the need to control means I put work before Myself, my health and my family! Remember i wont get this time back with them!
  • donna25trinity
    donna25trinity Posts: 3,044 Member
    Options
    Thanks for the introduction @77tes xo
  • 77tes
    77tes Posts: 7,905 Member
    edited May 2
    Options
    Love those goals @donna25trinity !

    I used to take a walk every day until we lost our pup in January. Since then I’ve got hardly any walking in. So I need to fix that.

    My May goal

    1. This May I will take a walk every day.
    2. The small, actionable steps I plan to take towards this goal I will put on sunscreen the first thing in the morning.
    3. My reminder or cue to keep up with my habit - grabbing my sun hat
    5. My reward for maintaining the habit (anything from a self-compliment to a mark on the calendar) mini celebration
    6. How can we support you? Cheer me on.
    7. What will success look like at the end of May? I’ll have more hours outside, I’ll be calmer. It will be good for my health and for my husband’s if I can get him to go as well.

    May 1 - 25 minute walk with my husband before my coffee this morning.
  • 77tes
    77tes Posts: 7,905 Member
    edited May 2
    Options
    May 2 - 30 minute walk first thing in the morning.

    🚶‍♀️🚶‍♀️
  • 77tes
    77tes Posts: 7,905 Member
    edited May 3
    Options
    May 3 another morning walk in the books! I’ve been able to get my husband to go as well.
    🚶‍♀️🚶‍♀️🚶‍♀️

    I’m also keeping up with my daily March (legs up the wall) and April (squats and pushups) goals.
  • donna25trinity
    donna25trinity Posts: 3,044 Member
    Options
    77tes wrote: »
    Love those goals @donna25trinity !

    I used to take a walk every day until we lost our pup in January. Since then I’ve got hardly any walking in. So I need to fix that.

    My May goal

    1. This May I will take a walk every day.
    2. The small, actionable steps I plan to take towards this goal I will put on sunscreen the first thing in the morning.
    3. My reminder or cue to keep up with my habit - grabbing my sun hat
    5. My reward for maintaining the habit (anything from a self-compliment to a mark on the calendar) mini celebration
    6. How can we support you? Cheer me on.
    7. What will success look like at the end of May? I’ll have more hours outside, I’ll be calmer. It will be good for my health and for my husband’s if I can get him to go as well.

    May 1 - 25 minute walk with my husband before my coffee this morning.

    This is awesome @77tes I need to do this with my habit forming too! Wen I was on mat leave I got so much results wen I did this, habit stacking, not breaking the cycle and all the other tips from atomic habits but these days I'm so work obssesed then tied up with being a muma that time is not on my side amymorel. All good though no more excuses I have this week off work so I am using it to get back to some reflection on making time for the important things like my health and myself, relaxing time and fun time...one good thing is I wake up most morning and do some form of exersice which I'm proud of! Xo
  • donna25trinity
    donna25trinity Posts: 3,044 Member
    edited May 3
    Options
    Weigh myself in morning to keep me accountable!
    Track everything to a tee, u cant unrun a bad diet!
    Check these goals everyday, remembering the more I do wat i say im going to do the more I can believe and trust in myself again!
    Use the time of my leave next week to get back on track.
    Be Active in MFP to be around like minded ppl!
    Focus on personal to do list, tidying up, keep busy as it feels good getting stuff done, makes work seem less important and means i can relax more on the weekend!
    Be mindful that i am making my decisions at work based on fear and control! This is the cause of my stress. Yes I'm def over worked but the need to control means I put work before Myself, my health and my family! Remember i wont get this time back with them!


    How I hve went this week, well I hve been tracking well and being a bit more active on mfp!!!

    Cause I had leave coming up I worked around the clock to try and hve everything done before I left....I was able to smash out so much work and felt so accomplished but i didn't need to do this as I hve someone filling in for me while I'm gone but she is new so I didn't want to put too much pressure on her plus I also behave a bit over the top the week b4 leave and a bit crazy lol . If I was to be really honest with myself it's cos I take myself a but too seriously lol plus i think it's the struggle to let go of control and the need to prove myself!! Xox
  • MadisonMolly2017
    MadisonMolly2017 Posts: 11,031 Member
    Options
    May 1-3 sleep not good
    Slightly overeating
    Tracking all
    Not doing my walks - moving around indoors. Legs sore. Hard to push through it when I’m
    Not rested

    Making art :)

    I have begun figuring out a better diet for to decrease my “pre diabetes HA1C”

    Will think about the habit I’ll focus upon…
  • 77tes
    77tes Posts: 7,905 Member
    Options
    MAY THE FOURTH BE WITH YOU


    @donna25trinity , hugs! You remind me of my eldest daughter who is quite organized and driven but also puts a lot of pressure on herself. I hope you get some time to breathe during your leave time.

    @MadisonMolly2017 , hugs to you as well. I’m so sorry that you haven’t been sleeping, it’s hard to be active and stay on track with food when you are exhausted.

    Today is going to be a real test of my walking intention. Saturday mornings are busy.
  • cindylocks
    cindylocks Posts: 8 Member
    Options
    Starting over again and trying to build good habits into my weightloss journey to make it less overwhelming.
    In the past I have been all in for a couple weeks then negative thoughts roll in and I start slacking off. And weight gain begins again.
    This May, my goal is to log everyday all the foods. Even if I know it’s over my calorie goal.
    I will check back in with you lovely folks once a week to keep the motivation up on the weekend. (Weekends are the times I tend to fall off the handle more and emotionally eat from the week.)
    And I will get walks in when I can and pay attention to getting 8hrs of sleep minimum.
  • 77tes
    77tes Posts: 7,905 Member
    Options
    @cindylocks , Welcome! Logging is such a foundational goal! I too struggle with emotional eating. That’s a hard cycle to break.

    Making tiny/atomic habits is a wonderful way to get a habit started. My minimum goal for my walks is 5 minutes, unusually I do more, but if I get in 5 minutes, I feel accomplished and I celebrate.

    So today, I did a walking video in my backyard. I’m still hoping to take a real walk, But I am celebrating success right now. 🥳
  • donna25trinity
    donna25trinity Posts: 3,044 Member
    Options
    @77tes thanks for your kind words!!! Let us know how u go with ur morning walk today!!!!
    @MadisonMolly2017 not sleeping ca be so frustrating, I hve been there!!! Xo
  • 77tes
    77tes Posts: 7,905 Member
    Options
    May 4 - I got my walk done in addition to the video walk earlier this morning. Yay! 😀


    🚶‍♀️🚶‍♀️🚶‍♂️🚶‍♂️
  • MadisonMolly2017
    MadisonMolly2017 Posts: 11,031 Member
    Options
    77tes wrote: »
    MAY THE FOURTH BE WITH YOU


    @donna25trinity , hugs! You remind me of my eldest daughter who is quite organized and driven but also puts a lot of pressure on herself. I hope you get some time to breathe during your leave time.

    @MadisonMolly2017 , hugs to you as well. I’m so sorry that you haven’t been sleeping, it’s hard to be active and stay on track with food when you are exhausted.

    Today is going to be a real test of my walking intention. Saturday mornings are busy.

    Thank you @77tes
    And good for you for your backyard walk!!
  • MadisonMolly2017
    MadisonMolly2017 Posts: 11,031 Member
    Options
    Ended up walking 45 mins yesterday in somewhat hilly terrain. Felt strong & stable & so far, legs are not sore. Maybe they just needed the rest 🤷‍♀️

  • 77tes
    77tes Posts: 7,905 Member
    Options
    MadisonMolly2017 wrote: »
    Ended up walking 45 mins yesterday in somewhat hilly terrain. Felt strong & stable & so far, legs are not sore. Maybe they just needed the rest 🤷‍♀️

    Oh hooray! 😃👏 @MadisonMolly2017 ! That’s wonderful after your broken leg! Are you still doing PT? My PT after my broken ankle got me stronger and with better balance than before my break.

    Happy Cinco de Mayo 🇲🇽
    I’m making burritos with my homemade refried beans and salsa. Yum!

    Got my walk in before church this morning- but that was a bit tricky

    May habit:

    🚶‍♀️🚶‍♀️🚶‍♂️🚶‍♂️
    🚶‍♀️
  • MadisonMolly2017
    MadisonMolly2017 Posts: 11,031 Member
    Options
    I do the arm weights (OT) and slacked off some past few days on the leg OT due to increased walking, but i Going To ask surgeon tomorrow at my appt - he seemed to think walking was key last time.
    Thanks!
  • TerriRichardson112
    TerriRichardson112 Posts: 18,229 Member
    edited May 6
    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 ……
    🌼🌺🌸🌻🪷🌻🌻🌸🌼
    🌼🌺🪺 May 2024 🪺🌺🌼
    🌼🌺🌸🌻🪷🌻🌻🌸🌼
    I am a person who values the health and fitness of my body, mind, and spirit

    Habits keep me going when motivation flags.

    This month I will …..
    May Focus: I have noticed a modicum of creep up in my weight, so need to be more mindful of food choices, especially snacking.
    Making small changes in food choices.
    In May I am …..
    … swapping chocolate based snacks for less calorific alternatives.
    To help me do this I am …..
    … logging my food first thing each morning and sticking to the plan
    📝📝📝📝📝📝
    Other steps
    … leaving my weekly chocolate bars off my shopping list
    … putting all chocolate based snacks out of sight
    … having less calorific choices easily available
    By the end of May I will …..
    … have become more selective in my choices.
    💐💐😔💐😔

    📌Consolidating 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: 7,905 Member
    Options
    Wow @TerriRichardson112 cutting back on chocolate is really quite the goal! I salute you 🫡

    I got a walk in again this morning!
    May habit:

    🚶‍♀️🚶‍♀️🚶‍♂️🚶‍♂️
    🚶‍♀️🚶‍♀️
  • TerriRichardson112
    TerriRichardson112 Posts: 18,229 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 ……
    🌼🌺🌸🌻🪷🌻🌻🌸🌼
    🌼🌺🪺 May 2024 🪺🌺🌼
    🌼🌺🌸🌻🪷🌻🌻🌸🌼
    I am a person who values the health and fitness of my body, mind, and spirit

    Habits keep me going when motivation flags.

    This month I will …..
    May Focus: I have noticed a modicum of creep up in my weight, so need to be more mindful of food choices, especially snacking.
    Making small changes in food choices.
    In May I am …..
    … swapping chocolate based snacks for less calorific alternatives.
    To help me do this I am …..
    … logging my food first thing each morning and sticking to the plan
    📝📝📝📝📝📝
    Other steps
    … leaving my weekly chocolate bars off my shopping list
    … putting all chocolate based snacks out of sight
    … having less calorific choices easily available
    By the end of May I will …..
    … have become more selective in my choices.
    💐💐😔💐😔💐

    📌Consolidating 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 🕊️

Categories