Old Habits Ditched for Good

Habits I used to swear by that I’ve since sworn off

These are some of the things I used to do and find benefit. But not anymore.

1) green powder drinks
2) cardio junkie
3) exercising in a fasted state
4) multiple small meals and snacking throughout the day
5) being attached to my wearable

Greens powder drinks
For about 3 years (maybe longer), I started every single day with a green drink. I tried many different brands – organifi, just greens, equilife, your super, live it up, and yes, even AG1. At first I noticed a difference. Then the benefits wore off. Hence, me trying various brands. By the time I got to live it up, I had a feeling I was done, but with all the hype around AG1, I had to try it. I gave each a few months trial period, and then decided to save my money. I haven’t used any since maybe last fall, and I don’t know that I’d pick it back up. Instead, I’ve done the most boring yet most important thing – eating real food and supplementing what I’m missing or deficient.

Mainly cardio for exercise
By now, I think we’ve all heard how important it is to strength train. I actually started weight lifting in college, but I had zero idea what the heck I was doing. I cycled on and off with how often I incorporated it, but for 20 years I largely focused on cardio. When I started lifting weights on a regular basis, it felt like a slow romance. A little timid at first, dipping my toes in, but for the last few years now, I’m all in, head over heels, and never going back! It’s now a challenge to fit in/prioritize cardio, and these days it’s in the form of shorter (20-30min) tabata or HIIT cycling classes. With this change, I’m the strongest I’ve ever been and my old chronic low back issues are so thankful for what I’m doing now. I don’t want to say it’s forever, but I think I just might be done with my running shoes.

Exercising in a fasted state
I worked out, hard, in a fasted state, for years, way back in the day. I gave up my gym membership back in 2010 which naturally changed my routines. Fast forward 10ish years, and I picked up the old routine, working out hard – lifting heavy for a 5 week program, with sessions starting before 5a. Initially I felt super strong and was pushing myself. But then something switched and it became more difficult to complete the workouts at the same intensity, my appetite was all over the place, and this was around the same time I gained over 10 pounds. I met with a fitness nutrition coach, switched things up a bit, played around with the timing of my workouts with time of day as well as eating/drinking beforehand. I’ve noticed a change in my energy overall as well as during exercise. Now, my sweet spot is walking or mobility in the early morning to shake out the cobwebs (still before a meal – I haven’t yet figured out timing logistics on eating before movement during the workweek), and my more intense activity mid-afternoon after 2 solid meals and a lot of hydration.

Grazing
Historically, I would eat many times a day and was a chronic snacker. I had zero internal cues about hunger and satiety. It took a long, long, LONG time for me to realize that I do best with 3 full meals and a mid-afternoon snack, with that extra meal especially important on days when I fit in a workout.

Living by my Whoop
Wow, I adored my Whoop when I wore it. I had my eyes on it for maybe a year when my husband got it for me for Christmas. I was completely attached to it for about 2 years, and became obsessed with tracking every movement, every sleep detail, and what it told me I was ready for in terms of recovery and exertion for the day. I took it off when I had my serious neck injury and I was banned from exercise. I remember it feeling so freeing, to no longer be attached to data. I contemplated putting it back on once I had recovered and started back into a routine again. But by then, I felt really in tune with my sleep and my energy levels and needs. While I appreciate the data and advancing technology these devices offer, I can’t see myself investing again.

What does all this tell me?
It tells me that habits can be fluid. I’ve learned so much by experimenting, monitoring, switching things up, reevaluating. While there are basic/core fundamentals to incorporate, our physical, mental, and energetic needs change from time to time, and that’s ok. When we realize things we were previously doing are no longer working for us, we also need a hefty amount of self compassion and grace.

Reflection
What are things you used to live by that no longer serve you?
What are some habits you’re currently doing that you wonder about getting rid of or changing?

Here’s to living well, Nicole