Lifestyle experiment because I am 40 next month...

[Ultralight]

I have been very lightly kicking around the idea of doing a year long lifestyle experiment for year 40.

But I am really at a loss for good, at least semi-original, ideas.

[iris lilies]

How many more years do you pay on your student loan(s)? Not that this has anything to do with your quest for a lifestyle experiment.

[bae]

Experiment: Exercise (for real) NN minutes a day, 30 < NN < 90.

Huge results within weeks.

[flowerseverywhere]

Eat 1 ingredient foods for one year

example: chicken, spice, potatoes,olive oil, green beans. , butter, apple, nuts, egg

out: Big Mac, shake and bake chicken, cliff bar, bread, boxed cereal

Idea#2 buy no one use plastics like bottled water or meat on a tray wrapped in plastic.

Idea#3. Find a way to bring in more income to better your financial status.. ie Uber, part time second job etc. I did this when I was fourty (second job on weekends) when I had two kids heading to university. After five years they both graduated with low student debt and we had paid off all our debt including mortgage.

I have been working on #1 and it’s tough but like Bae’s idea, huge results within weeks. Plus it will help prevent or lessen the lifestyle diseases that creep up in middle age of hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol and obesity.

[Ultralight]

How many more years do you pay on your student loan(s)? Not that this has anything to do with your quest for a lifestyle experiment.

I still have 5.5 years of my 10 year sentence to serve. Why?

[Ultralight]

Experiment: Exercise (for real) NN minutes a day, 30 < NN < 90.

Huge results within weeks.

Not a bad idea.

Currently I work out MWF. I do 20 mins light cardio and then about 40 mins of moderate weight baring.
7 days a week I briskly walk my dog at the park for at least 30 minutes.

That is all my exercise.

[Ultralight]

Eat 1 ingredient foods for one year

example: chicken, spice, potatoes,olive oil, green beans. , butter, apple, nuts, egg

out: Big Mac, shake and bake chicken, cliff bar, bread, boxed cereal

Idea#2 buy no one use plastics like bottled water or meat on a tray wrapped in plastic.

Idea#3. Find a way to bring in more income to better your financial status.. ie Uber, part time second job etc. I did this when I was fourty (second job on weekends) when I had two kids heading to university. After five years they both graduated with low student debt and we had paid off all our debt including mortgage.

I have been working on #1 and it’s tough but like Bae’s idea, huge results within weeks. Plus it will help prevent or lessen the lifestyle diseases that creep up in middle age of hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol and obesity.

These are some good ideas for sure. A lot to think about...

[Gardnr]

We walked a half marathon for our 40th. My goal was 3h 30m. We came in at 3h 26m. I was a happy camper....and that was 18y ago:~)

At 33 we set a goal to be debt-free by 50th. Made it by 48. CCs first, then vehicles, then home and cabin. the works. Not a penny interest paid since then!

[razz]

Choose a project or injustice outside the USA and work to correct/promote and enable the implementation of it. I know that there are many needs in the US that need attention but think beyond that to the common needs that people around the world need. Clean water is one.
You're smart, research the options to make a difference that you can look back at with pride of accomplishment when they are done and when you are 80 years old.

[Gardnr]

Choose a project or injustice outside the USA and work to correct/promote and enable the implementation of it. I know that there are many needs in the US that need attention but think beyond that to the common needs that people around the world need. Clean water is one.
You're smart, research the options to make a difference that you can look back at with pride of accomplishment when they are done and when you are 80 years old.

So true. We have always supported local needs as there are so many here at home. However, 3y ago, we started buying a community water well through Compassion International as part of the family Christmas gift in my family exchange. (each single or couple adult draws 1 single/couple which keeps us connected but not gifting trinkets).

[Ultralight]

I really dig these suggestions!

[bae]

I really dig these suggestions!

A random practice my father gave me this year:

Each day I simply try to have a conversation with someone I don't know, and learn something interesting about them.

It has certainly helped my mindset.

[frugal-one]

A random practice my father gave me this year:

Each day I simply try to have a conversation with someone I don't know, and learn something interesting about them.

It has certainly helped my mindset.

I learned that from my older brother too. It is amazing what you can learn. Or just ask "what is exciting in your life?" Or find something nice to say to someone every day AND MEAN IT. It changes ones perspective.

Also, you are working out but have you REALLY checked into what you should be doing for exercise. I have recently joined a gym (first in my life) and met with a trainer. Who, in my opinion, was not worth his weight in salt. I ordered all kinds of books about exercise and will ask what all the machines are at the gym and figure out my own workout schedule. When I have that figured out I will ask to be shown how the machines I need work. I have a few issues that need to be addressed.

[bae]

I learned that from my older brother too. It is amazing what you can learn. Or just ask "what is exciting in your life?" Or find something nice to say to someone every day AND MEAN IT.

Exactly. The key is to be present, sincere, and mindful when you do this, and not slip into just pleasantries.



Also, you are working out but have you REALLY checked into what you should be doing for exercise. I have recently joined a gym (first in my life) and met with a trainer.

Yes, good point. My fire department provides some good trainers and guidance, and subsidized access to gyms and gear. Also the local bicycle merchant sells me bicycles and accessories at cost, which helps :-)

[happystuff]

These are all wonderful ideas! I was going to suggest one or two, but they have already been posted. Good luck finding something to focus on. I've been trying to do the reduce/eliminate plastic. Now that I'm focusing on it, I'm shocked/amazed/surprise/etc at how inundated our society is with plastic!!!!

[ejchase]

Give up sugar and/or alcohol for a year.

I find I have a lot more energy and don't struggle so much with depression or anxiety when I'm off sugar.

This summer, I've had to abstain from alcohol because of a health issue, and it's been tougher than I expected, but it's also forced me to work through a lot of emotions I might in the past have tried to tranquilize away. And it's nice to avoid the bad hangovers I had 5-10 times a year before.

[iris lilies]

Give up sugar and/or alcohol for a year.

I find I have a lot more energy and don't struggle so much with depression or anxiety when I'm off sugar.

This summer, I've had to abstain from alcohol because of a health issue, and it's been tougher than I expected, but it's also forced me to work through a lot of emotions I might in the past have tried to tranquilize away. And it's nice to avoid the bad hangovers I had 5-10 times a year before.
UL cant give up alcohol. He is a teetotaler.

[Ultralight]

This summer, I've had to abstain from alcohol because of a health issue, and it's been tougher than I expected, but it's also forced me to work through a lot of emotions I might in the past have tried to tranquilize away. And it's nice to avoid the bad hangovers I had 5-10 times a year before.

Interesting!

I have always said that if I had a magic wand I would turn all alcohol into water in perpetuity. I think that the first 2 weeks after waving the wand would be especially intriguing and, sometimes, amusing.

[rosarugosa]

I enjoy alcohol (mostly wine) on a fairly regular basis, but I do think objectively that it's something the human race would have been better off without.