Not that I shouldn’t have started them years ago, but I never really cared to do them and had trouble adding them into my life back then.

4 specific things come to mind:

1. Flossing

Every time I went to the dentist, the dental hygienist would inevitably ask, “Are you flossing regularly?”

I would lie and say, “Yes, of course” but I’m sure she knew otherwise. It was her passive-aggressive way to say that I really should be doing it every day.

So now in my 5th decade, I am flossing regularly. Oral B offers a good article on the benefits of flossing that include removing plaque to make your teeth look brighter, reducing the risk of heart disease caused by periodontal disease, and preventing tooth decay.

I have grown fond of my teeth and ideally would like to keep them for many more years to come. I now believe that flossing will help to that end.

It’s tedious, boring and monotonous to do.

Although I hate doing it, I now floss my teeth while watching reruns of Seinfeld.

2. The Plank

Do you remember the good ole days when you could do 100 sit-ups with your best friend sitting on your feet?

Little did we know that that simple exercise wasn’t doing us any good for the core abdominal muscles we were wanting to work out.

Enter the plank.

A genius exercise to strengthen your core, increase muscle definition, reduce back pain, and improve your balance.

It’s so much easier to watch someone else doing it and looks really easy to do…until you try it. It burns! It makes my whole body shake.

Although I hate doing it, I now practice the plank while watching reruns of Seinfeld.

3. Apple Cider Vinegar

A more vile drink I am not aware of!

I blame my husband for this one. He added it to the regular grocery list when he decided to start eating healthier to lose weight.

The three ingredients alone are okay: I like apples — I eat one a day. I like cider — it’s especially nice to drink a hot cup of cider on a cold day. I like vinegar — add it with salt to french fries for a yummy treat!

But the drink ‘apple cider vinegar’ is a different thing altogether. It tastes disgusting but has many benefits including lowering blood sugar levels, killing harmful bacteria, and improving heart health.

Although I hate doing it, I drink two tablespoons of it with water while watching reruns of Seinfeld.

4. Neti Pot

A co-worker once told me that she hasn’t had a cold in decades because she used the neti pot every day in the shower.

The first time I tried it I nearly drowned myself by giggling due to the absurdity of the action. You pour water into one nostril and it flows out of the other one!

But the benefits of using it regularly include removing excess mucus, reducing allergens in nasal passages, and alleviating sinus headaches.

Although I hate doing it, I use the neti pot while watching reruns of Seinfeld.

I don’t know what I would do without Seinfeld to help me continue my new healthy habits!

Are there any healthy habits you do that you actually don’t like? I’d love to hear about them. Share in the comments.

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(First featured on Medium platform November 9, 2019)