January 2025 - New Year, Better Habits

77tes
Posts: 8,892 Member

Happy 2025!
We all have great opportunity to thrive in 25, developing new habits and building on the good habits we already have.
Plan + Action Steps + Cheering Squad = THIS GROUP![
I canβt overstate the importance of starting slowly with small, achievable daily steps that you can build upon. We want you to succeed at your goals and habits researchers are clear that the most successful path to any goal is through small, repeatable actions taken everyday. These repeatable actions grow into habits and good habits will change your life.
Still not convinced that small changes can have that big an impact? Ask our veteran habit builders what small changes theyβve made in their lives that have had a big impact on their health and happiness.
And if you're joining us midway through the month, no need to wait until February. Begin now and you'll be that much closer to achieving your goal. If you're looking for ideas, our list of previous challenges may come in handy.
Let's hear what you'll be prioritizing this January. Let's make 2025 our best year yet!
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Iβm enjoying a quiet New Year morning (a quiet as possible with an energetic puppy in the house).
Iβve decided that the habit I will concentrate on this January is strength, doing at least 10 squats, 10 pushups, and 10 dumbbell exercises daily. This fits my theme of Ring Out Wild Bells, from my favorite New Year poem by Tennyson. So I plan to ring out the weakness and ring in the strength.SpoilerRing out, wild bells, to the wild sky,
The flying cloud, the frosty light:
The year is dying in the night;
Ring out, wild bells, and let him die.
Ring out the old, ring in the new,
Ring, happy bells, across the snow:
The year is going, let him go;
Ring out the false, ring in the true.
Ring out the grief that saps the mind
For those that here we see no more;
Ring out the feud of rich and poor,
Ring in redress to all mankind.
Ring out a slowly dying cause,
And ancient forms of party strife;
Ring in the nobler modes of life,
With sweeter manners, purer laws.
Ring out the want, the care, the sin,
The faithless coldness of the times;
Ring out, ring out my mournful rhymes
But ring the fuller minstrel in.
Ring out false pride in place and blood,
The civic slander and the spite;
Ring in the love of truth and right,
Ring in the common love of good.
Ring out old shapes of foul disease;
Ring out the narrowing lust of gold;
Ring out the thousand wars of old,
Ring in the thousand years of peace.
Ring in the valiant man and free,
The larger heart, the kindlier hand;
Ring out the darkness of the land,
Ring in the Christ that is to be.
Lord Alfred Tennyson, 1809 - 1892
from In Memoriam
Hereβs a quote from James Clear to inspire you. His book Atomic Habits is on sale (an email just arrived in my inbox today).Maybe I should reread it.
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Hello,
I will prioritize eating more veggies. I have fail into the habit of not eating properly for a while and I am not REALLY ready to put in the work.
Today I started off the year strong by eating:
- carrot sticks
- celery sticks
- cucumber sticks
- four and 1/2 cups of kale salad
- 3/4 cups of mixed vegetables
- 1 and 1/2 cups of sauteed broccoli, mushrooms and onions
I know I read in this post to start slow but that's not always easy for me to do. I will try to do manageable steps to keep my momentum going and not get discouraged if I can't do those big steps, but for today I am proud of myself.
I also straightened up my garage a bit, so I'm proud of that all too.3 -
@tbolashana - more veggies is a great goal! What terrific variety - greens, cruciferous veggies, mushrooms, colorful carrots, aromatics!
Thatβs what I was working on last month and am continuing it although Iβm concentrating on strength this month. I actually just got around to making this great recipe that @snowshoe072 recommended to me. Lots of veggies!
https://www.simplyquinoa.com/slow-cooker-moroccan-chickpea-stew/
Iβve decided that the habit I will concentrate on this January is strength, doing at least 10 squats, 10 pushups, and 10 dumbbell exercises daily. So I plan to ring out the weakness and ring in the strength.
In fact, Iβm using Strength for my word for the year.
January 1 and 2 I rang out those dumbbells!
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@77tes Thank you for that recipe!! I think I have al the ingredients, so I'll let you know if I make it!
I love that you are going strong with your strength goal this year. So far you are 2/2! That's awesome! I am also trying to incorporate weights. I used some small weights on Jan 1st and body weight yesterday, Jan 2nd, on my vertical stair climber. So, I guess I'm 2/2 also!!! I didn't even notice lol.
So keep up the good work and keep us updated!1 -
Iβve decided that the habit I will concentrate on this January is strength, doing at least 10 squats, 10 pushups, and 10 dumbbell exercises daily. So I plan to ring out the weakness and ring in the strength.
In fact, Iβm using Strength for my word for the year.
I rang those dumbbells again today. January 3 done!
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Thanks @tbolashana your post encouraged me to get those exercises done after I got interrupted.
Kudos for the strength workouts.2 -
6th January is my 10th anniversary on MFP. I did have a streak of 3200+ until MFP removed the newsfeed earlier this year, when it reset to zero.
SW: 227 lbs
UGW: 140 lbs
Aug 2017: Started maintaining < 155 lbs
Continued to drop slowly
Nov 2019: Final maintenance range < 140
December & 2024 Review
πΉSolid Habits maintained in December π
π Reduced weight to prep for Christmas π
πΉ2025 Focus:
My aim is to maintain health and fitness by developing/consolidating supportive Solid Habits. Trying to keep joints as flexible as possible as wear and tear takes its toll.
πΉConsolidation of habits Focus:
I am doing > 10 minutes HIIT > 4 times per week
πββοΈπββοΈπββοΈ
πΉMaintenance 130 < 140
πππ
Current Stats:
- Terri, in Northern Ireland: age 78
- 5β2β
- Working on strength/stamina/flexibility
- All my stats are in the normal range for my age/height.
- Weight < 140
- Fat% < 22%
- Muscle% > 27%
- CI < CO
- Steps > 5,500
- Intentional exercise > 50 mins daily
- Active hours > 6 daily
SpoilerFood
πΉlog All food and drink; stay under goal; balance macros/micros; Hydrate adequately; limit βemptyβ snacks
Exercise:
πΉ5,500+ Steps daily
πΉ50 + minutes intentional exercise
Mind/Body/Soul/Spirit
πΉDaily Mindfulness Practice/Meditation
πΉPractice Self-care
πΉPositively reframe thoughts
πΉLearn something new
πΉCommunicate
πΉCreate/adapt positive habits
πΉPuzzles/Art/Craft/Write/Read
πΉ15 mins Daily Declutter session
THERE ARE NO QUICK FIXES OR SHORTCUTS to achieving permanent change.
REMINDERS One or two thoughts which might give heart to some of you.Stick with the process. It DOES work! But it does take time, effort, and most of all, patience!Spoiler- Daily weight fluctuations are normal, and can be more than
2 lbs a day for no apparent reason. - A general downward trend is what we are looking for.
- Eating out can cause apparent weight gain because of high sodium levels, but usually goes quickly. Drinking extra water helps with this.
- The human body does not react instantly to what we do to it. Sometimes it can take several days to see results.
- Plateaus are a normal part of the process. The body is consolidating and adapting to your new way of eating/exercising.
- The closer you get to your goal weight, the more difficult it becomes to lose weight, as your body becomes more efficient at using what you feed it.
- When you exercise you build muscle, which takes up less space than fat, so use measurements as well as weight to assess your progress.
- Getting/Staying fit and healthy requires a lifestyle change for most people.
Terri
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I think I am adding a new habit to work on, with all the scuttle butt about processed foods etc, good vs bad, I think I am βgoingβ to try to add at least 2 of my cups of coffee as black, I have never used sugar so that was easy but itβs the creamers. I have even tried the plant based ones and always return to half and half. I will continue with my current habits, I keep my post it note in a book I am reading as a reminder.4
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Just noticed this post.
For 2025, I hope to continue improving or maintaining my current weight within a pound or two (170 lbs) and optimizing wellness strategies (worshipping by reading a chapter from Proverbs each day, walking an average of 20k steps a day, and writing daily journals) to compliment nutritional choices (organic plant-based foods).
Heaviest weight - 222 (20th century)
What worked for me - retiring to practice a healthy, happy, and holy lifestyle
Current nutritional dilemma: Which foods actually work best for health?Spoiler
Whatever works best for your personal health.
I used to eat fast-food and Buffalo wings until the doctor suggested otherwise for better cholesterol, so I dropped the red meat and wings, then the processed foods, and after I went to the ER for a fishbone in my throat, I cut out that as well, which left me in the plant-based food section of grocery stores. π
I now eat only once (brunch) or twice a day (dinner) at most, so I call that intermittent fasting, if it counts.
Happy New Year to you!
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@TerriRichardson112 , happy MFP anniversary. 4 HIIT sessions per week is a great goal!
@snowshoe072 , Good way to eat less processed foods! I too had to transition from coffee with cream (lots of cream/creamer) to black. It took me a while, but I now drink it black regularly. That little change really helped me get better control of my calories.
@jamesever welcome to the group! It sounds like you have some really great wellness habits. Iβm also struggling with the dilemma of which foods to eat. My plan to increase my plant-based foods is working, but I havenβt found the sweet spot of where Iβm not gaining weight as a result of the changes from my previous low-carb lifestyle.SpoilerIβve decided that the habit I will concentrate on this January is strength, doing at least 10 squats, 10 pushups, and 10 dumbbell exercises daily. So I plan to ring out the weakness and ring in the strength.
In fact, Iβm using Strength for my word for the year.
I rang those dumbbells again today. January 4 done!
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@77tes π₯° the sentiments in that poem. Not much has changed since it was written, but one lives in hope.1
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@TerriRichardson112 - seriously, that poem is as timely in 2025 as in 1850! BTW, Today I checked MFP on my laptop and found my log-in streak was still there when I accessed my home page on the website.1
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SpoilerIβve decided that the habit I will concentrate on this January is strength, doing at least 10 squats, 10 pushups, and 10 dumbbell exercises daily. So I plan to ring out the weakness and ring in the strength.
In fact, Iβm using Strength for my word for the year.
I rang those dumbbells again today. January 5 done!
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@TerriRichardson112 - seriously, that poem is as timely in 2025 as in 1850! BTW, Today I checked MFP on my laptop and found my log-in streak was still there when I accessed my home page on the website.
PS: I got my date of starting wrong π Itβs the 9th January, not the 6th π€¦ββοΈ
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Iβve decided that the habit I will concentrate on this January is strength, doing at least 10 squats, 10 pushups, and 10 dumbbell exercises daily. So I plan to ring out the weakness and ring in the strength.
In fact, Iβm using Strength for my word for the year.
I rang those dumbbells again today. January 6 done!
ππππ
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Ding dong! January 7th peal has been rung!Spoiler]Iβve decided that the habit I will concentrate on this January is strength, doing at least 10 squats, 10 pushups, and 10 dumbbell exercises daily. So I plan to ring out the weakness and ring in the strength.
In fact, Iβm using Strength for my word for the year.
ππππ
ππ π1 -
Hi! I am new to the group! I am not new to MFP or to the Getting Healthy Journey! I was on track for ALMOST a full year and then welllll....I fell off track a little over the holidays with the emotional eating (comfort foods - sigh) and the temptation to snuggle under blankets and stay warm.
This month I am recommitting to:- Eating at least 1 full serving of vegetables at every meal
- hit my step count goals daily set by my Garmin
- logging all my meals and snacks without guilt
Health is a journey - not a race. If I stumble along the way, it is just a stumble, nothing more :-)3 -
Hi @FeelinLoopy , welcome to the group! I love your inspirational message βHealth is a journey - not a race. If I stumble along the way, it is a stumble, nothing more.β Good goals to work on!
Hereβs a motivational quote from James Clear that Iβm copying into my journal today:
βThe ultimate form of intrinsic motivation is when a habit becomes part of your identity. Itβs one thing to say Iβm the type of person who wants this. Itβs something very different to say Iβm the type of person who is this.β
I am STRONG. πͺ
January 8 rang those dumbbells.
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I am STRONG. πͺ
January 9 I rang those dumbbells again.
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My 2025 goal is to reach my goal weight of 185 and maintain it as well as obtain my Certified Personal Trainer certification. I am within 11 pounds of my goal weight so I hope to reach it by the end of March. Along with the weight loss I have brought my bio age down considerably in 2024 and Iβm feeling pretty good about it. Wishing everyone a healthy and happy 2025!
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@Interbeing , thatβs such a cool graph! You have some super goals set for the near future. Your personal trainer certification - wow!2
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Celebrating 10 days of success. π
100 squats
100 pushups
300+ dumbbell exercises
Iβm using heavier weights.
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Nice work folks ! I have done better with reducing the coffee creamer still working some of last years goals often when we abandon them they come back to haunt us!2
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@snowshoe072 good on you for changing up your coffee - that is such a basic part of a coffee drinkerβs day and continuing your 2024 goals! I hate it when I let a hard-won habit slip away. Iβve had to pause my yoga practice since we got our puppy and I know Iβm losing flexibility.
January 11 done.
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I be exercised between a snowblower refresher taught by hubby ππ and a 15 minute spin ride I think I did ok today.
Instead of chicken tenders homemade in the air fryer I did them in the oven I have dual convection fans in my oven, they were good with no fried food smell in the house one smell I hate! The air fryer maybe on the way out the door! Trying hard to ditch the 1/2 and 1/2 making some progress2 -
Happy New Year everyone π
I hope you had a lovely time over the festive season π²
I was in Italy for the holidays and enjoyed lots of good food, lots of walking and saw many great sights.
I have set up MFP's habit challenge to eat more vegetables. I've always liked veg more than meat but can get lazy with prep. I plan to have a big pot of vegetable soup always on the go.
I also plan to get back to doing daily stretches, strength, flexibility and balance exercises.
Eating less and healthier is key for me, so I'll be focussing on that in 2025.3 -
@BodyTalking , you Italy trip sounds wonderful! Great goals - more veggiesand flexibility & balance . I also find the preparation of veggie recipes an obstacle. Good idea about having a pot of vegetable soup on hand.
@snowshoe072 , great exercise regimen. Itβs interesting that you prefer the oven to the air fryer. Iβve been tempted to get one.
January 12 done
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snowshoe072 wrote: Β»Nice work folks ! I have done better with reducing the coffee creamer still working some of last years goals often when we abandon them they come back to haunt us!
It's tough giving up something that has been a part of our routine for a long time. I have struggled with giving up honey with my coffee. I have found a fairly acceptable substitute with Cinnamon and Nutmeg. It is not as sweet, obviously, but it does smoothen out the coffee taste. Perhaps there is a spice that will help to satiate your dairy craving.1 -
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If I were to go back and purchase the air fryer it would remain on the store shelf, I wonβt buy another when ours is gone, either because it died or it was given away .1
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@Interbeing , thanks for the fist bump!π Iβm proud of myself that Iβm finding a simple way to incorporate strength training. Of my puppy is growing fast, so that adds to my strength regimen - she was 7 pounds when we got he in November and now she is over 18 pounds, so picking her up to take her outside is a workout in itself π€£ And she wiggles !
@snowshoe072 thanks for your review. Iβll stop coveting the air fryers.
This group is a great way to celebrate our successes. Hereβs a list of ways to celebrate.
B.J. Fogg recommends a celebration reset when you are feeling overwhelmed.
Hereβs a cool list of ways to celebrate.
January 13 I rang those dumbbells again today.
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