We conclude our three-part series in my current streaks.
No Caffeine (111 days in 2024)
I’m done tracking my caffeine for now. I may start tracking the actual amount, but I don’t feel the need to abstain from the substance.
I bought my Dad an espresso machine for his birthday, and I was impressed by the result (after a few failed brews). I never drank coffee or liked the taste, but I also had never had a latte as good as I had. I found out my friend bought the same machine, and he made an ever-better cup that has me looking into starting an espresso habit.
Verdict: Done tracking caffeine
Sobriety (260 days in 2023)
I had a very similar year in 2024 to 2023 regarding drinking. I had 201 drinks in 106 days in 2023 vs 209 drinks in 94 days in 2024. So I had a few fewer drinks in a few more days of drinking. I had a lot of midweek nights when I wanted some margarita with my Mexican food for dinner. I didn’t drink at all in January and only seven drinks in July. February, March, and August account for 87 of my 201 drinks. The remaining months were 13-19 drinks.
I plan on doing a dry January, but I don’t have many other plans for the year. Maybe getting an espresso machine will curb my cravings instead.
Verdict: Dry January. <200 Drinks. <100 Days of drinking
Reading (2463-day streak)
I do think that reading is important, whether fiction or nonfiction. I read a lot of Reddit posts, but obviously, that does not count towards my streak. I try to read published works and generally nonfiction. If I want fiction, I like watching it on TV.
I can’t remember most of the books I read throughout the year, but I did stumble upon a game-changer when I read How Not to Age. It was nice to see a book so full of scientifically backed data. I realized that eating plants first should be a priority, and reducing dairy and eggs is important, too. I’m starting to feel some improvements after a rough couple of months.
Verdict: Keep pushing to find challenging reads
Vitamins (604-day streak)
In 2022, I realized I was poisoning myself with too many B vitamins.
I only take a Flintstone vitamin, vitamin D, and vegan Omega-3. I stopped taking Vitamin D for a while, and I could sense some depression symptoms, especially when running on the treadmill and not outside. I started retaking them and saw an improvement, so I will continue taking them.
Verdict: Be serious about supplements
Meditation (1655-day streak)
I don’t know where my meditation is currently at. It’s usually the first thing I do in the morning, but I don’t know how beneficial I find it. Especially since my mind isn’t racing when I wake up. It almost slows me down. At least it keeps me from constantly being stimulated.
Verdict: Continue taking a break
Food Tracking (2251-day streak)
I have decided to monitor my sugar and fiber intake more closely, as I think those are probably the largest contributing factors to my health. Fiber makes me feel full, and sugar makes me hungry for more sugar. If I can limit sugar and increase fiber, I should be good. Taking pictures and working with Fat Secret helped me do this, and it is a minor inconvenience in my day.
Ideally, I shouldn’t have more than 50g of sugar a day and only half that from added sugars, but limiting to 100 is actually a huge deal for me, so I am starting there.
Verdict: >40g fiber. <100g sugar.
