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People always say it's the little things that matter - but can a small change in routine really transform your life? We challenged four readers to find out...
People always say it's the little things that matter - but can a small change in routine really transform your life? We challenged four readers to find out...
POSITIVE THINKING
I was stuck in a rut
Tina Haywood, 46, a secretary, from Hornchurch, Essex, is married to Martin, 47, a black cab driver. The couple have three children Jessica, 18, Jack, 16 and Annie-May, nine.
BEFORE THE CHANGE
"I tended to focus on the negative rather than the positive and felt inferior to most people. Despite a happy marriage and wonderful kids, I felt like I had a black cloud over me. I've also had repetitive strain injury for 18 months and it made my job impossible. I had no idea how I was going to make a living and I couldn't stop worrying."
THE SMALL CHANGE
"I had an hour-long session with life coach Fiona Harrold, who gave me tips on positive thinking. Fiona taught me to replace negative thoughts with positive ones. For example, if I'm talking to someone my usual thought would be, 'I bet they think I'm boring', but instead I told myself, 'I'm interesting.'
"I began having fewer negative thoughts, and after a week I had the idea for Balloonissimo, selling personalised balloons. Halfway through the second week, I noticed for the first time in ages the thoughts going through my head were positive."
THE BIG RESULT
"I'm on my way to being the person I want to be and setting up my own business. From now on, my thoughts will be positive."
MORNING WALK
"Too busy, too stressed"
Kathryn Luczakiewicz, 42, a counsellor, is self-employed and a single mum to three teenagers Alex, 13, Anna, 15 and Dan, 18. She lives in Redcar, Cleveland.
BEFORE THE CHANGE
"I didn't exercise at all because I'm busy, but I know that exercise is a stress buster and as a single mum of three, sometimes my stress levels go through the roof, especially as I run my own business.I don't feel overweight, - I'm a size 12. My aim is to increase my fitness levels and tone up."
THE SMALL CHANGE
"The plan was to do 20 minutes of simple exercise in the morning, such as running on the spot and stomach crunches, and as I'm an early riser with the kids, getting up wasn't a problem. The first two days were easy, but on the third day I was so stiff I could hardly walk.
By the end of the first week the stiffness had vanished and I developed a routine of exercising while watching TV. At the weekends I walked along Redcar beach and in the park at Saltburn. After eight days I had more energy and was able to cope better with stress. I felt stronger and began using hand weights. I noticed I was looking forward to my workout, too."
THE BIG RESULT
"My morning exercise puts me in a positive frame of mind for the day and it's now part of my routine. I enjoy it so much that I'm doing 30 minutes. I've lost 3lbs and my clothes feel looser - without changing my eating habits."
GIVING UP SUGAR
"I ate chocolate in secret"
Helen Radford, 28, a retail make-up artist, has a sweettooth problem. She lives in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, with her boyfriend Adam, 31, a personal trainer.
BEFORE THE CHANGE
"Every day I ate cake at 11am, sweets after lunch and biscuits at 3pm when I was feeling sluggish. My sugar cravings were so bad I hid chocolate bars at home so I could eat them in secret. Adam was always giving me lectures about my sugar addiction and he was right, especially as I have polycystic ovary syndrome. One of the symptoms is craving sugar, but the more you eat, the more you crave - it was a vicious cycle that I needed to break for health reasons."
THE SMALL CHANGE
"I swapped sugary treats for healthy alternatives like fruit, nuts and berries. The first day was easy, but by day three I nearly cracked and ate a chocolate muffin. I had a voice in my head shouting, 'I want one!' but I ignored it. By day five, I didn't have that 3pm slump. After work, I got more housework done and I had enough get-upand-go left to do a home workout DVD. By the second week, I still had the odd craving, but I could say 'No' without a battle. I also got into the habit of having a piece of fruit or some nuts with a cup of tea, rather than a biscuit or cake."
THE BIG RESULT
"I feel like I've beaten my sugar my addiction, which was easier than I thought. I've lost 1kg, my stomach isn't bloated, my skin looks clearer and my nails are stronger. I have more energy and I'm getting more done. I won't be going back to my old habits."