So it’s a new year and it’s time to make some resolutions. Let’s face it – the usual promises to yourself – get fit, lose weight and stress less usually fall by the wayside come February. How about you try our suggested resolutions that have a better chance of being kept the whole year through …
- Eat cereal for breakfast
It takes 5 minutes and can increase energy, up your fibre intake, reduce your snack cravings, and boost your ability to focus. It’s a healthy habit that is easy to adopt.
- 2. Eat a piece of fruit every day
The experts recommend 5 servings of vegies and 2 of fruit daily but the reality is most adult Australians get nowhere near that. If your workplace doesn’t supply fruit just buy a few pieces twice a week and have them at your desk. Fruit’s a readily available snack food that you won’t feel guilty about having, and suddenly your diet is healthier.
- Have at least two alcohol-free days per week
A lot of people start the new year saying that they plan to drink less. Vague goals such as this are difficult to keep. Try making two days a week alcohol-free. Mark them in your diary. It’s not that hard and it helps show you that you’re not addicted to a daily drop
- Eat fish twice a week
The benefits of fish and their omega 3 fatty acids are well-documented but many of us still eat far more red meat than fish. Try committing yourself to 2 fish meals a week either home-cooked or from a restaurant menu. Your heart, joints, mood and blood vessels will thank you for it.
- Commit to a class once a week
“I’m going to exercise more” would have to be on almost everybody’s new year resolution list. Gym memberships are very popular this time of year, but the initial enthusiasm often wanes quickly. Better to vary the routine and commit to something that you know you can continue. Pay for a set weekly exercise class as a starter if you’re going from nothing. The financial commitment is the extra incentive to continue and being just once a week you’ll find you can work your other activities around your weekly exercise class.
- Program your diary
Stress is often the result of feeling out of control. Make this year different. Start by putting all the significant dates – birthdays, anniversaries, payment due dates into your diary (both the actual day and maybe a suitable time before to ensure a card or present is bought). You’ll be surprised how this simple exercise can help you feel on top of things.
- Incremental increase in exercise
This follows on from the committing to a weekly exercise class mentioned previously. The idea is an incremental increase in exercise can become a habit without even noticing. For instance if you already do a spin class every Saturday add a 40 min walk a couple of days during the week so then you are exercising almost every other day!
- Drink an extra glass of water a day
It’s a bit like the fruit and vegies – most people don’t drink enough water a day. If you are a water fiend just ignore this, but if you tend to forget to rehydrate regularly you’re unlikely to start getting through the recommended 2 litres a day. Just focus on having one extra glass of water each day. Try a set time – when you wake up, as soon as you get to work or just before bed. It will improve your skin, digestion and kidney function.
- Address one unhealthy eating habit
Anecdotal evidence would suggest more salads get eaten in January than at any other time of the year, but all too often the chocolate and chips reappear in the shopping trolley and the same bad habits re-emerge. If you’re serious about improving your diet have a good hard look at what you eat now. Where are your weaknesses? Take-away after work? Muffins at morning tea? Chocolate after dinner? Decide on one bad habit and concentrate on that. The satisfaction you achieve in conquering this one specific goal will motivate you to attack further weak points.
- Declutter
Another resolution to help with you taking control of your life and reducing your stress levels. Get rid of the extraneous ‘stuff’ that has invaded your life. Fill bags of unworn clothes and drop them at Vinnies, give away the breadmaker and the crockpot you never use, put all those old magazines in the recycling. It’s cathartic and you’ll feel liberated and more able to take on the world.