https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Fri, 10 Apr 2026 15:44:54 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-1-small-change-you-made-that-improved-your-lifehealthroutineetc/page/2#post-1674242 Mon, 02 Jun 2014 21:40:47 +0000 As Time Goes By 1674242@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Financially: we set a budget budget a couple years ago that focuses on having a nice balance between savings and some spending. It has been great seeing our best egg grow, but not have guilt over treating myself to a coffee etc...</p> <p>Health: I gave up meat and my vegetable intake has gone up dramatically! I know that's not for everyone, but when I have days of eating junk food I can feel the difference. </p> <p>I have also focused on exercising for general health rather than weight loss and I have been able to keep my motivation up. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-1-small-change-you-made-that-improved-your-lifehealthroutineetc/page/2#post-1674226 Mon, 02 Jun 2014 21:29:15 +0000 fussygal 1674226@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@LuLu Mom: love the weekly cc payment idea!</p> <p>@oliviaoblivia Wow - 40 mins is amazing! So cool! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-1-small-change-you-made-that-improved-your-lifehealthroutineetc#post-1673742 Mon, 02 Jun 2014 17:04:18 +0000 mrsjyw 1673742@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>working out regularly began for me in january and i've kept up with it since! first time ever in my 30 years of life. (aside from school sports) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-1-small-change-you-made-that-improved-your-lifehealthroutineetc#post-1673730 Mon, 02 Jun 2014 16:54:14 +0000 Kimberlybee 1673730@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We use eggs as the main protein a couple of nights a week so those feel like super easy, no stress meal days to me. </p> <p>If I am shopping and buy something on impulse, I tape the receipt to the bag when I am home and don't wear/open it for a couple of weeks. If it turns out, I really didn't like it that much, I will return it. Just don't hide it somewhere and forget about it though. LOL </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-1-small-change-you-made-that-improved-your-lifehealthroutineetc#post-1673726 Mon, 02 Jun 2014 16:52:29 +0000 Boheme 1673726@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Kimberlybee: They will send you a sample week if you want to give it a whirl! It has really reduced my prep time/cooking time since the days flow into one another - for example, I cooked the whole flank steak for the nachos on another night for carne asada, and you reserved the other half for the nachos. They were yummy and easy! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-1-small-change-you-made-that-improved-your-lifehealthroutineetc#post-1673722 Mon, 02 Jun 2014 16:48:40 +0000 Kimberlybee 1673722@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@grizz: I really want to try this but it sounds intimidating. Your steak nachos from the other day looked amazing!!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-1-small-change-you-made-that-improved-your-lifehealthroutineetc#post-1673571 Mon, 02 Jun 2014 15:42:21 +0000 ElbieKay 1673571@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am 12.5 weeks postpartum and just went back to work. I also added yoga twice per week back into my schedule. There is an 8pm class on Wednesdays so I can still get home and nurse my son before I head to class, and then I go at 9:15 on Saturday mornings while my husband stays home with the baby.</p> <p>I also found time for my husband to get back to the gym too. You have to take care of yourself; otherwise you will not be able to take care of anyone else. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-1-small-change-you-made-that-improved-your-lifehealthroutineetc#post-1673491 Mon, 02 Jun 2014 15:01:32 +0000 lizzywiz 1673491@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@catlady: oh, we do a green smoothie every morning, too! Sometimes it is the only healthy thing I have all day :silly: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-1-small-change-you-made-that-improved-your-lifehealthroutineetc#post-1673487 Mon, 02 Jun 2014 14:59:05 +0000 catlady 1673487@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>A couple health related ones:</p> <p>Before I had LO, the single best thing I did was to get myself to sleep longer by going to bed earlier. I used to stay up late reading or watching TV, but I felt so much better after I started getting an extra hour of sleep every day. Not sure if you could do that though! I hope when my LO starts STTN, I can get more sleep again. :)</p> <p>Also, a few years back, DH and I got into the habit of bringing one piece of fruit and one container of cut up veggies to work every day. More recently we started drinking green shakes every morning. So now it's pretty automatic that we will both get a decent amount of fruit and veggies every day, no matter what. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-1-small-change-you-made-that-improved-your-lifehealthroutineetc#post-1673430 Mon, 02 Jun 2014 14:33:49 +0000 oliviaoblivia 1673430@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It might be silly but we use Waze instead of the Garmin for GPS. Our old GPS had the traffic feature, but sucked. Using Waze has shaved 40 minutes off of DH's commute. Having that extra time together at the end of the day is so awesome. It made the difference between him arriving after bedtime to being able to see DD before bed. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-1-small-change-you-made-that-improved-your-lifehealthroutineetc#post-1673413 Mon, 02 Jun 2014 14:27:37 +0000 lizzywiz 1673413@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@deerylou: Car-free weekends- love that idea! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-1-small-change-you-made-that-improved-your-lifehealthroutineetc#post-1673397 Mon, 02 Jun 2014 14:19:52 +0000 deerylou 1673397@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Meal planning/grocery budget: This has been a lifesaver. We limit impulsive food purchases, shop wisely, and have explored countless healthy, tasty recipes. </p> <p>Setting a schedule &amp; leaving room for rewards: As a SAHM, it can start to feel like the same day, over and over. I like having weekly traditions or assigning certain activities to specific days. For example, we'll do a trip to the library on Mondays, a beach walk on Thursdays, and picnics in the park on Friday afternoons. I also like getting our major errands done in one swoop, but it can often feel like LO spent her entire day in a cart. I've started to make time for quick, free, or very inexpensive "treats" to rewards ourselves with, after running errands. This might mean splitting a smoothie, feeding the ducks, or heading to the cliffs to watch the surfers. It serves as a great pick-me-up. :)</p> <p>Car-free weekends: Between my husband's commute and the endless errands we run, we tend to drive a great deal. We have been trying to limit how often we're in the car, on the weekends. We spend a lot of time at our local beach, neighborhood park, and nearby cafes and farmer's market. Of course, we still drive when we need to, and do enjoy occasional day trips, but it's nice to explore what we have at our fingertips, and LO loves the extra time spent in the sunshine. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-1-small-change-you-made-that-improved-your-lifehealthroutineetc#post-1673260 Mon, 02 Jun 2014 13:32:10 +0000 MrsMccarthy 1673260@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This is a great thread! For me it was implementing a routine and a meal plan. When I fall off of those I always end up regretting it as my life falls into chaos. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-1-small-change-you-made-that-improved-your-lifehealthroutineetc#post-1673010 Mon, 02 Jun 2014 12:39:28 +0000 lizzywiz 1673010@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think I just came up with one: when you have things to do, move the chair away from the computer desk, like across the room or even in a different room, to prevent sitting down and losing time in internetland.</p> <p>Um, I am standing, hunched over my computer as I type this now, lol. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-1-small-change-you-made-that-improved-your-lifehealthroutineetc#post-1672851 Mon, 02 Jun 2014 11:52:46 +0000 PixieStix 1672851@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Focusing on drinking water and almost exclusively water (save for the glass of juice I have -- no more than 8 oz. a day) helped me shave off a lot of calories.</p> <p>Finance wise, I can say the thing that helped me the most was using a credit card like a debit card. I use it for all my purchases and then go online and pay it off immediately. I try not to spend outside my means, and as an added bonus I have a credit card with reward points, so once a year I get a nice item for free like a Bose radio or Dooney &amp; Burke purse. It has helped increase my credit score tremendously. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-1-small-change-you-made-that-improved-your-lifehealthroutineetc#post-1672783 Mon, 02 Jun 2014 11:30:31 +0000 travelgirl1 1672783@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Great thread idea!</p> <p>Food: I prep as much food as I can for the week ahead on a Sunday morning. It makes getting in from work so much easier.</p> <p>Finances: we allocated DH, LO and me a kind of allowance that we can spend each week without having to tell each other about. It's only a small thing but I love knowing I have a certain amount each week to do with what I please without feeling guilty. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-1-small-change-you-made-that-improved-your-lifehealthroutineetc#post-1672759 Mon, 02 Jun 2014 11:21:10 +0000 Boheme 1672759@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We started a meal plan program (with a little nudge from @TemperanceBrennan:) that we LOVE! Its called The Fresh 20. 20 unprocessed ingredients a week for 5 meals. It feels so nice to sit down and eat a real meal, and the plan saves us money and time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-1-small-change-you-made-that-improved-your-lifehealthroutineetc#post-1672751 Mon, 02 Jun 2014 11:15:40 +0000 Alivoo01 1672751@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@lizzywiz: Good luck!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-1-small-change-you-made-that-improved-your-lifehealthroutineetc#post-1672735 Mon, 02 Jun 2014 11:09:11 +0000 Arden 1672735@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I know this sounds really silly, but I started putting makeup on every day in the morning.<br /> I've never been a huge makeup person (I probably wore it once a week before?) but weirdly this is improving my anxiety! </p> <p>One, it gives me a few minutes of relative peace, focusing on myself, before getting into the cleaning and laundry and what not.<br /> Second, I find that I'm much more likely to make impulse trips out of the house if I am already ready - and that's a good thing for my mental health and Vi loves it.<br /> Third, I get more done on days when I've gotten "ready". It's like, ok, I'm ready, let's do the day! Otherwise I can get bogged down and end laying around feelings lobby and getting nothing done. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-1-small-change-you-made-that-improved-your-lifehealthroutineetc#post-1672714 Mon, 02 Jun 2014 11:01:16 +0000 lizzywiz 1672714@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>to all you meal planning ladies: @kiddosc: @Alivoo01: @redsmarties: @LuLu Mom: </p> <p>I just signed up for Cook Smarts. Wish me luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-1-small-change-you-made-that-improved-your-lifehealthroutineetc#post-1672613 Mon, 02 Jun 2014 10:25:52 +0000 lizzywiz 1672613@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Greentea: eating whatever I want for breakfast---genius! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-1-small-change-you-made-that-improved-your-lifehealthroutineetc#post-1672587 Mon, 02 Jun 2014 10:16:38 +0000 alohaorchid 1672587@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@septca: I'm doing a 30 day squat challenge right now and I have been getting them in while I blow dry my hair :)</p> <p>@yoursilverlining: I really miss taking the stairs at work! I used to this all the time at my old job, but I was only on the 8th floor so I could manage it. Now I'm on the 22nd so it's just not feasible anymore :( </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-1-small-change-you-made-that-improved-your-lifehealthroutineetc#post-1672562 Mon, 02 Jun 2014 10:07:53 +0000 sunny 1672562@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If you have the budget, get a robot vacuum cleaner. It's a lifesaver for us. I hate cleaning and this helps keep the mess at bay (since we run it on a schedule and know that it can't do its job unless the toys are put away) and it cuts down my floor sweeping to a weekly job rather than daily.</p> <p>I also agree with paying yourself first. Put money away in a specially marked savings account and don't touch it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-1-small-change-you-made-that-improved-your-lifehealthroutineetc#post-1672545 Mon, 02 Jun 2014 10:02:05 +0000 yoursilverlining 1672545@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Pay yourself first. Have a portion of your pay directly deposited into savings so that you don’t have to do anything. You don’t need to remember to save, and your money earmarked for savings doesn’t get spent on anything else. </p> <p>Another vote for Amazon subscribe and save. We use that for everything we can, and it’s so nice to know that X, Y, Z will just be waiting at my door instead of having to feel stressed deciding when during the week I’ll find the time to run errands.</p> <p>Sweep the floors and do a very light/small cleaning every day; or organize 1 thing (or one space in your home!) each day. The house never gets completely out of control then, and it only takes a few minutes. </p> <p>Take the stairs at work instead of the elevator (I work on the 4th floor, so it’s not too bad but enough stairs to get a bit of a workout in! Especially in heels! Lol). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-1-small-change-you-made-that-improved-your-lifehealthroutineetc#post-1672531 Mon, 02 Jun 2014 09:56:30 +0000 septca 1672531@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@TemperanceBrennan: This is awesome! I am going to do this and use the break to do my squat challenge and my kegels! :grin: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-1-small-change-you-made-that-improved-your-lifehealthroutineetc#post-1672519 Mon, 02 Jun 2014 09:53:41 +0000 TemperanceBrennan 1672519@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Health: I set an alarm on my phone for the top of every hour I'm at work. When it goes off, I take a short break (less than three minutes) to walk up and down three flights of stairs and refill my 10oz cup of water. My goal for the next hour is to drink the water so I can fill up next hour. </p> <p>Finances: We used the "You Need a Budget" budgeting system and have 15 minute mini-budgeting sessions once or twice a week right before we go to bed. Helps keep everything in perspective and on-track. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-1-small-change-you-made-that-improved-your-lifehealthroutineetc#post-1672512 Mon, 02 Jun 2014 09:49:52 +0000 lizzywiz 1672512@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Good Lord- these are amazing tips! I honestly didn't expect so many to apply to me- I am copying and pasting to a word document :heart: </p> <p>@looch: that credit card alert is a good idea...I already cringe at what would should up, lol.</p> <p>@LovelyPlum: trying the dish trick starting now.</p> <p>@septca: what MrBee said, +1. wow!</p> <p>@Greentea: oh, the drinking. sigh. we have a beer habit to break. no problems, but the calories and money are wasted.</p> <p>@alohaorchid: @LuLu Mom: a little housework everyday would go a long way around here!</p> <p>I am short on time and can't respond to all of the awesome tips, but they are SO appreciated! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-1-small-change-you-made-that-improved-your-lifehealthroutineetc#post-1672484 Mon, 02 Jun 2014 09:39:31 +0000 LuLu Mom 1672484@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Finances: weekly instead of monthly payments on credit card. This is helping us pay it down much faster. </p> <p>Health: meal planning. No impulse buying or fast food/take out nights because I have a menu planned. Also saves money! </p> <p>Home: Load of laundry every day so I don't spend my weekend doing it. Also clean on Thursday nights so I have the weekend to enjoy with my family. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-1-small-change-you-made-that-improved-your-lifehealthroutineetc#post-1672467 Mon, 02 Jun 2014 09:35:04 +0000 alohaorchid 1672467@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Personal health: walking at least 3km every day</p> <p>Finances: selling things I no longer need! I just recently sold 7 Coach bags that I haven't used in over two years... of course I didn't get close to what I paid for them, but I did get a big wad of cash, which I then used for things I actually do want/need</p> <p>Food: tracking what I ate for 2 weeks straight. It really made me think about what's going into my body</p> <p>Home: I have started cleaning one thing every day. I used to clean the entire house every Wednesday and Saturday and then I started to dread my full day of cleaning. Now I do what I can on other days of the week so that the "big cleaning days" are only 1-2 hours or so. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-1-small-change-you-made-that-improved-your-lifehealthroutineetc#post-1672463 Mon, 02 Jun 2014 09:34:18 +0000 Greentea 1672463@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Oh, and we made this change years ago- but I cannot underestimate how much it has improved our lives- we stopped drinking! </p>