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5 Things I’ve Recently Changed

5 Things I’ve Recently Changed
Carly Jacobs
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logging is a weird thing. Everything I write is permanent on the internet so if I say 5 years ago that I tongue scrape every morning, that information is still available to everyone to see. This means that quite logically, a lot of people assume I still do things I said I do ages ago because I haven’t told them I stopped doing that thing.

Someone tagged me in tongue scraping post the other day and I realised it’s probably been about two years since I tongue scraped. Not for any reason, I think I just lost my tongue scraper and never bought a new one. I might do it again one day but now I’m not really caring. Which is interesting because I thought it was SUPER important a few years ago.

Just to keep people informed (because my habits are like SO interesting right?) I thought I’d write a list of things I’ve changed. Because people change and that’s a-okay…

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I’m eating differently

I’ve been seeing doctors, having lots of tests and I’m experimenting with a different kind of eating. It’s a high fat, low carb kind of thing, very similar to I Quit Sugar and it’s been amazing. I’ve only lost 4 kilos since starting it in February but I’ve lost 11cm off my waist so I can’t really complain. Plus it’s made me less of a slave to food. The added good fats (like avocado) fill me up and stop me getting that light headed, panic hunger. Also 3pm slumps just aren’t a thing anymore. Mr Smaggle has been doing it with me, simply because it’s so good for productivity and generally not feeling like a giant piece of shit all day. I’m eating less than I ever have in my life and my energy is really even. It makes intermittent fasting a lot easier too, which I used to really struggle with. Note: I am not recommending this diet to anyone. Do not do this diet unless you have doctor supervision. It’s easy to get it wrong (really easy!) so don’t Google it and start it tomorrow. If you want to try something similar, go with I Quit Sugar.

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I’m spending more time at home

I live in a really trendy area of Melbourne, full of bars and restaurants and I used to ‘go out’ about 3 times a week but I just haven’t been doing that. It’s definitely due to my 3 month booze ban I did at the beginning of the year (which has now lifted!) but it’s quite lovely. I enjoy being in my own home, pottering around and getting things done. It’s very lovely. Plus most of my friends are pregnant at the moment so I’m not exactly being seduced out the door for wine every 5 seconds like I used to.

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I’m paying attention to my heart rate when I exercise

I’ve been going to F45 five times a week for an entire year and I’m not getting the results I want. My doctor suggested keeping my heart rate at 140 which is my fat burning zone. Typically my heart rate would reach up to 175 in a session and that’s the glucose burning zone, which isn’t helpful if you’re trying to lose weight. I’m just experimenting to see if this makes a difference. It’s actually quite hard to do – I want to go full pelt on all the exercises but I have to hold back. It is making me slow down and do each exercise properly though which has to be a plus. I’ll let you know if this has made a difference after a month or so.

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I’m doing 3 month sprints

Goal setting is really intimidating when you’re looking at the whole year but it can also be a bit de-motivating because you have the whole year to do that thing so you’re like ‘Yeah whatever, I’ll care about that next month’ and before you know it, it’s Christmas day and you haven’t done anything you set out to do that year.

I did a three month sprint from January to March and my goals were health and business related. I went booze free and sugar free for those three months too and kicked some serious goals with Crochet Coach. It was really motivating having those that three month block to concentrate on these things. I’m running a three month sprint in my Smaggle Crew on Facebook if you want to join? There are weekly prompts for postitive statement setting and re-calibration in a big accountability group. It’s a lovey supportive place to hang out – get on it.

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I’m using different products on my hair

It’s a method called the Curly Girl method where you avoid things like silicone and alcohol on your hair. I’m not crazy serious about it – I used a non-cg approved hairspray for a wedding a few weeks ago but it has made a massive difference to my hair. It’s got all its body and texture back which I’ve been missing. I’m not hard and fast about it but it’s been a pretty big game changer. I’m a part of a few CG Facebook groups and they are HILARIOUS. I got an official warning for mentioning shampoo (you’re not supposed to use shampoo). It’s honestly like a cult. I’m just cherry picking though, I’m not ready to go full devotee on that shit yet.

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What things have you changed recently? Anything you used to do that you don’t do anymore?

 

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P.P.S Don’t forget Crochet Coach has a free trial offer period at the moment so make sure you sign up!

9 Comments

  1. Missy D 7 years ago

    The last six weeks we’ve been in the process of moving and downsizing, so it’s so nice to have my 6am routine back of reading your blog over my morning coffee. 🙂

    I’m interested in this three month sprint idea, I might join you guys next quarter.

    Things I’ve been doing differently:
    – I read the Barefoot Investor book this year and I’ve completely changed the way I manage my money, even though I’ve always been a good saver, this book as allowed me to factor in a bit more spending which has made me more relaxed about money.

    – My relationship has also changed to long-distance for the rest of the year (Brisbane-Melbourne) as I took a job opportunity down in Melbourne and my partner is in the middle of his studies (not an ideal situation but different!).

    – Downsizing my life (even though we now have two residences) – I think moving from a three-bedroom house to two flats has made us realise how much stuff we have. One of my goals this year is to do things like sort through all my photos (film/developed ones) and digitalise everything, including all our paperwork and just get rid of stuff.

    • Author
      Carly Jacobs 7 years ago

      Oh he’s going to be one of our Straight & Curly sponsors! I think… that book is great! Long distance is healthy I think. Mr Smags and I did for two years and it was totally do-able.

  2. Jess Carey 7 years ago

    I’m a massive fan of the short term goal sprints! I’ve taken it a step further and do month “sprints” if you will, by setting a new goal or two each new moon cycle. A little “hippy dippy,” sure, but it’s actually a really good timeline to help keep me in check (because I lose focus so quickly and easily)!

    I’ve been making more time for “slow spaces” – I’m usually a hectic mess on Saturday and Sunday mornings, but I’ve started nominating one slow morning each weekend where I don’t drag myself out of bed to exercise – I just pop on my dressing gown, make myself a fancy pot of tea, and read… best thing you can possibly do for your mental health!!

    • Author
      Carly Jacobs 7 years ago

      Oh I do that every Saturday. Mr Smags and I sleep late, make breakfast and watch crap TV until midday. Favourite day of the week. We’ve been away and haven’t done it in a while so I’m really looking forward to that on Saturday!

  3. Bec 7 years ago

    Interested to hear how the heart rate method goes!
    I avoided alcohol, ate well and exercised like a mad woman all of May in the lead up to my bestie’s engagement party in Perth. Now it’s done and dusted I’m actually finding it hard to get motivated again… Whoops

    • Author
      Carly Jacobs 7 years ago

      So far it seems like a whole thing – I’m not losing kgs but I’m losing centimetres hard, more so since not raising my heart rate. I’ve even noticed at F45 they’re focusing more on strength than cardio.

  4. Dr Na 7 years ago

    I like the new design format here! Good font. 🙂
    I’m trying to work less at home – like no checking my work email. It’s a tiny change but good for the mental health.
    xx

  5. Author
    Carly Jacobs 7 years ago

    I’m pretty sure it’s now illegal in Germany to check company emails when you’re at home – or something similar like companies aren’t allowed to ask you to check them on weekends or let you have them available to you at home. How good is that?

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