Shaw Israel Izikson: I stopped eating fast food. I did it by driving past the fast food joints whenever I see them, avoiding pressing down on the brake pedal. As long as I don't hit that brake pedal, it's all good...
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Fran Lynggaard Hansen: I slowed down my life, began leaving the cell phone at home, color-coded my calendar to be sure I didn't over-schedule myself, and focused on getting at least eight hours of sleep per night. Not surprisingly, my heart rate dropped, as did my blood pressure; I was more relaxed and much less stressed. It was worth every minute of effort. I'll never go back to that classic “American” way of living.
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Erin Neil: I stopped drinking Diet Coke (and all soda, really) and coffee. I did it cold turkey, and it was rough (especially during grad school). Whenever I felt I needed a caffeinated drink, I had a glass of water instead. When I wasn't craving coffee or Coke anymore, I started drinking green tea and eating dark chocolate for a little caffeine kick. It's been an amazing change - fewer headaches, nicer skin, more energy.
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Michael Eldred: I quit smoking through sheer anger. It was 1994, I think, and the tobacco companies were busy lying to us in congressional hearings. Listening to the hearings on NPR, I was so mad I threw away the cigarettes I had on hand and vowed never to give those bastards another nickel of my money.
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Jean Koester: I stopped drinking soda, borrowed a friend's weight-loss mantra - “Eat less, walk more” - and lost 25 pounds.
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Janice Sorensen: No question! Exercise. When I run or work out at the gym, I am simply a happier person; I am less irritable, anxious, and undirected. How did I do it? I watched my husband suit up and go running every day for about 10 years. He did it consistently, never bugging me to do the same. As he is one of the most productive, cheerful, and steady people I have ever met, the connection to his habits became clear. (He eats simply and moderately as well.)
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Howard Prussack: I moved out of New York City and became a Vermont farmer...
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Dot Lenhart: I got pregnant with my daughter!
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Linda Taylor: I took horrible drugs and radiation to fight cancer and won.
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Deborah Lazar: I took up ice skating. I've also decided to give the gluten-free diet a whirl. Not that I have a sensitivity - however, if I'm eating less wheat, I have to be more creative and end up eating really healthy food, like whole grains, many kinds of rice, and lots of vegetables. I feel really great! I'm also trying out the “vegan till dinner” diet plan; loving it. I am not really strict with it, but I am enjoying some health benefits.
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Melinda Bussino: Swim, swim, swim!
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Kim Guarnaccia: I let go of trying so hard to make my life better and chose instead to have faith in the universe/God that good things would unfold in their proper time!
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Mary Alden-Allard: Meditation and the NordicTrack Ski Machine.
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Susi Harrington Potter: Giving up caffeinated beverages, starting meditation, and getting married. Unconditional love is a powerful thing. Also, my husband makes really awesome oven-baked chicken, which is even better than fried. Also a bonus.
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Debbie McNeil: Got out of an abusive relationship. I walked out the door with the clothes on my back and a whole lot of confidence - and never looked back!
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Catherine Snyder: Through therapy, I've learned not to subvert my needs to the needs of others.
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Stuart Strothman: Moving to Vermont. A longtime friend/partner was here working, and I moved in with her. Stability, quietude. A time to regroup after years of transience.
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Cindy Littlefield: Probably quitting my job.
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Elizabeth Catlin: I had kids. They helped me to slow down, to realize what really mattered, to eat safe, healthy food, to get outside more, to laugh more, to ask more questions, and to take care of myself so I could be my best for them.
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Chris Connelly: When a disability forced me to stop walking at least an hour a day, I started swimming and enjoy it much more.