Don't waste another New Years resolution
Here are 7 easy changes that can help you reach your healthy resolution
Many people make New Years resolutions to lose weight or get in shape. All of us are probably guilty of this at some stage. Sometimes it lasts a few weeks before the new change disappears, sometimes it last a few months and occasionally some people make the change permanently.
Unfortunately many people are swayed, by clever emotional marketing, into buying lose weight quick type schemes including many diet pills, shakes, detoxes, and some 'one food only' diets. Unfortunately many of these seem too good to be true and that is because they are.
Smart people will make changes to their diet and increase their exercise levels, resulting in progressively good results. This happens to be the most effective and long term option to losing excessive weight, increasing general health and promoting longer living. However, many fail with this. To be successful there are some fairly significant lifestyle changes that need to occur. Generally they involve hard work and unfortunately people's 'I can't be bothered' mentality often wins out. Weight loss can be very simple, it is as easy as basic math, a plus minus system that makes sense and is fool proof. Unfortunately it is not 'lazy' or 'can't be bothered' proof.
If you are going to make a resolution for weight loss, getting fit or even if you are not, I suggest the same thing; increase your quality and longevity in life. Make some lifestyle changes! But don't make too many at once. This is too hard to sustain and you will join the many other failed 'resoloutioners'. Pick a couple of changes, make them and keep them, no matter what.
Here are some examples for your New Years resolution:
- Limit alcohol in your diet (eliminate it if you can), but at the very least, reduce it to only a couple of drinks a week.
- Eat less or eliminate pre packaged and convenient meals, unfortunately most are bad news. There are plenty of healthy meals that can be prepared and cooked in a matter of minutes.
- Increase your exercise anyway you can! Walk to places, don't be lazy! Walk the kids to school or walk to work. If its too far and you have to drive, park 10 minutes away and walk from there. Rain is not an excuse, use an umbrella.
- Start reading packaging, there is more and more information on kilojoules and calories on packaging and takeaway than ever before. The excuse, 'I didn't know' is becoming less applicable. Remember this: the average adult intake per day is about 8,500 kilojoules (calories ). Try sticking to this or a bit below if you can.
- Control your portion size. Don't be a greedy guts. It takes 20 minutes for your stomach to let you know it's full and has had enough. So avoid eating until you are not hungry any more. Control portions and stick to them, this will help greatly, (leave the extra piece of garlic bread, potato or sausage for somebody else).
- Don't go cold turkey on the food you love, that is not good for you. Enjoy it, but again, reduce your intake and the frequency, change it to a reward e.g if I eat well or exercise I can have this treat at the end of the week.
- Exercise. Do it. Here's a tip, don't do something you don't enjoy! This makes it hard to be motivated to complete it. Find something you enjoy and do it regularly. Whether it be playing tennis, swimming, riding, walking, jogging, basketball, martial arts, dancing, table tennis, bootcamp, personal training, gym or many other alternatives, find something you love and do it. It makes burning energy a lot easier and less of a chore.
There are so many changes that can be made. Be aware of them, start with a couple and go from there. The key is to make them permanent changes. Your body, lifestyle and health will thank you.
Picture yourself, 10 years from now, would you ask yourself to make some of these changes now? Or would your future self say, 'Don't worry, keep those feet up on the couch and eat that takeaway! I'm not that important?'
Have a safe and happy New Years! Here's to a healthier 2013!
Remember always be Body Wise.
