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Today I want to share with you some of the things I wish I knew when I was 20 years old. Maybe you can relate to some of these, or maybe you can learn from my mistakes and avoid them in the future. Either way, I hope you find this post helpful and entertaining!
First of all, I wish I knew that health is not something to take for granted. When I was in my 20's, I thought I was invincible. I ate whatever I wanted, skipped breakfast, drank too much tea, stayed out late multiple times during the week, and rarely exercised. I didn't pay attention to the signs that my body was giving me, such as fatigue, mood swings, and low energy. I thought they were normal or temporary, and that they would go away on their own.
It turns out that I had an borderline underactive thyroid, which is a condition that affects your metabolism and hormones. It can cause weight gain, depression, dry skin, constipation, and many other symptoms. It can also increase your risk of developing other diseases, such as heart disease and diabetes. I didn't find out about this until I was 30, when I finally went to see a doctor after feeling miserable for years.
I also wish I knew that doing too much HIIT exercise and not taking time to warm up, stretch and cool down would cost my joint health. I developed osteoarthritis in my left hip when I was 35, after years of HIIT exercise and running without proper warm-up and stretching. It was very painful and frustrating to deal with. It limited my physical activity and made me feel old before my time. Osteoarthritis known as a "wear and tear" condition is not just an old person's disease. Osteoarthritis is a type of arthritis that occurs when the cartilage that cushions your joints wears away over time. It can cause pain, stiffness, swelling, and reduced mobility in your affected joints. It can affect any joint in your body, but it is more common in the knees, hips, hands, and spine. It can also be influenced by genetics, injury, obesity, and overuse as in my case.
Now that I'm in my 40's, I have learned a lot about how to manage my health conditions and I have improved my quality of life.
Are you feeling guilty about your own unhealthy lifestyle choices over the years? Do you think you've gone too far down the road of junk food and couch potato? Well, I have some good news for you: it's never too late to turn around poor diet and exercise habits. You can start making positive changes today and see the benefits in your health, mood, and energy levels.
Here are some tips on how to get started:
Start small. Don't try to overhaul your entire diet and fitness routine in one day. That's a recipe for failure and frustration. Instead, pick one or two things you want to improve and focus on them for a week or two. For example, you could swap soft drinks for water, or add a 10-minute walk to your daily schedule.
Be realistic. Don't set unrealistic goals that are impossible to achieve or maintain. For example, don't expect to lose 10 pounds in a week, or run a marathon in a month. Instead, set goals that are challenging but attainable, and celebrate your progress along the way. For example, you could aim to lose 1 pound per week, or run a 5K in three months.
Find support. Changing your habits can be hard, especially if you're doing it alone. That's why it's important to find people who can support you and motivate you. You could join a group of like-minded people who share your goals, such as a weight-loss club or a running club. You could also enlist the help of a friend, family member, or a health coach who can keep you accountable and cheer you on.
Have fun. Don't think of diet and exercise as punishments or chores. Think of them as opportunities to enjoy yourself and improve your well-being. Find activities that you like and that suit your preferences and abilities. For example, if you love dancing, you could join a Zumba class or watch a YouTube video and dance along. If you love nature, you could go hiking or biking in a park or trail.
Be kind to yourself. Don't beat yourself up if you slip up or have a bad day. Remember that nobody is perfect and that every day is a new chance to start over. Instead of focusing on what you did wrong, focus on what you did right and what you can do better next time. Reward yourself for your achievements and treat yourself with compassion.
Remember: it's never too late to turn around poor diet and exercise habits. These are some of the things that have helped me improve my health and happiness in the past few years. You have the power to make positive changes in your life and reap the benefits of a healthier and happier lifestyle. All you need is some determination, some guidance, and some fun. The important thing is to find what works for you and stick to it.
I hope this blog post has inspired you to take care of your health now and in the future. Remember that it's never too late to start making positive changes in your life. You deserve to be healthy and happy!
Thank you for reading!
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