The start of 2015 may inspire many to ditch the chocolate and hit the gym – as they say: New Year, new you
Sometimes a fresh start can be just what the doctor ordered.
But the problem with January health-kicks is that we tend to expect amazing results immediately. If the scales don’t show us what we want to see, our resolutions are thrown out the window.
Take each challenge step by step with our top ten health rules for 2015 – which we’ve smashed.
Don’t… crash diet
New Year celebrations mean overindulgence – delicious food and drinks aplenty. However, the worst way to counteract poor eating habits is by crash dieting.
While eliminating all carbohydrates may seem like the answer, it isn’t healthy to starve yourself of any food type. Your body will simply overcompensate once you start to eat it again, causing you to pile on the pounds.
Your body needs each of the food groups to function, including fats and sugars. Rather than dieting, the key is to eat healthy, balanced meals matched with an active lifestyle.
Don’t… give up chocolate
Similar to crash dieting, never give up your favourite foods as they’ll only sneak their way back into your diet. You know they’re bad for your health, but refusing to eat a single bite will only make you crave them even more. It’s worse to binge later down the line.
Rather than abstaining from sweet treats all together, eat everything in moderation. The odd square of dark chocolate is reported to have health benefits including combatting aging, boosting brainpower and increasing happiness.
Don’t… buy low fat
Contrary to popular opinion, low-fat isn’t always a healthier alternative to full fat varieties. Brands often substitute fat for sugar, making low-fat products just as bad for your health. Instead, reduce portion sizes and snack on good fats such as nuts and avocados.
Don’t… drink eight glasses of water a day
We’re advised to drink eight glasses of water a day, but don’t take this as gospel. As Howard Murad, author of The Water Secret, reminds us, fruits and vegetables are a source of water that can also contribute to our daily intake – packed with essential vitamins and nutrients. As long as you’re hydrated and headache free, you’re probably drinking enough.
Don’t… pay for a gym membership
While it’s great that you’re taking a proactive approach to improving your health, you don’t need the gym to get fit. Rather than diving in at the deep end, use January as the time to ease yourself into your new exercise regime.
Take the dogs for a walk, go for a run with friends or cycle to work. This way, you aren’t committed to a 12-month membership at an extortionate price. You can always join a gym later in the year when you’re ready to step up your game.
Don’t… over exercise
It’s 1st January and you’re super-motivated. Now more than ever are you ready to get into shape. But set yourself too much of a challenge and you’ll experience exercise overkill – so much walking, jogging, running that you never want to set eyes on your trainers again. Instead, pace yourself and set long-term goals. Remember, fitness should be fun.
Don’t… weigh yourself
Step away from the scales. As tempting as it is, don’t weigh yourself every day; it can do more harm than good. Everyone’s weight fluctuates – be that due to water retention or hormones – and as a result, it’s impossible to keep track of it day-by-day. Noticing that you’ve put on a couple of pounds overnight may knock your confidence, so limit your scale use to once a week.
Don’t… sleep exactly eight hours
It’s widely believed that adults need seven to eight hours’ sleep each night in order to function properly the next day. But this isn’t always the case. For some, this is too much. It’s about finding a happy medium and sticking to a regular sleeping pattern that suits you.
Don’t… become anti social
Whether you’re trying to refrain from eating unhealthily or save cash, it’s not uncommon for families to stay indoors during January. Celebrations can take their toll on your wallet. That said, the anti-climax of the New Year can have a negative effect on our health; they don’t call it ‘January blues’ for nothing! Stay social, visit friends and make being happy your top priority for 2015.
Don’t… set the bar too high
The New Year is the perfect opportunity to set goals and better yourself, but at the same time it’s important to be realistic. Don’t expect too much all at once. Whether you’re hoping to lose weight or improve your fitness, take it one step at a time and make your targets attainable in the long run.
