| Many of us make resolutions each year, and with the | | | | having fun with a new hobby and meeting new people. |
| best intentions, but the secret is to pick one thing that | | | | When it comes to diet and detox a few basic |
| you really wish to achieve, rather than the range of | | | | changes can make a huge difference without having |
| things we often feel pressured to promise as we | | | | to do something unnecessarily dramatic like live on |
| enter the New Year. | | | | grapefruit juice for a week. Denying yourself food will |
| The key thing to remember is that you can always | | | | leave you lethargic and frustrated and, though you |
| make a positive change in your life, any time of the | | | | may lose some weight in the short term, it is fairly |
| year, and as long as you feel passionate about it, | | | | common knowledge these days that diets don't really |
| make a plan and don't aim too high (with a huge list of | | | | work. The reason for this is that while you are eating |
| vices to tackle all at once) then you can feel optimistic | | | | less your body adjusts the amount of calories that it |
| about your chances of success. | | | | burns and as soon as you go back to your old eating |
| Think carefully about one change you could make this | | | | habits the weight piles back on. |
| year that may benefit you, your friends or family. | | | | To sensibly lose weight a permanent, sustainable |
| Here are some thoughts on a new approach to this | | | | lifestyle change is required - so think about this |
| year's resolutions: | | | | carefully and consider what you feel you could really |
| Most of us base our resolutions around our health. | | | | cut out of your diet long-term. Try replacing your |
| Lose weight, stop smoking and drinking, exercise more | | | | mid-morning donut and latte with a green tea and |
| often, detox - the list goes on. It is important when you | | | | banana or swapping milk chocolate snacks for small |
| are thinking about choosing this kind of resolution that | | | | bars of dark chocolate. There is always one thing you |
| you are realistic. | | | | can change so make it easy on yourself and think |
| Firstly, take one thing at a time. If you try to do too | | | | about which one thing would work best for you. |
| much, you run a high risk of failure - which isn't the best | | | | If you are concerned about smoking I'm afraid there's |
| way to embark on the road to the 'new you' that you | | | | not much of an easy way out here. |
| are hoping for! Pick one resolution and make a plan, tell | | | | Of course cutting down would help but we all know |
| people about it so that you have maximum support | | | | that this very seldom lasts. The truth is that you need |
| and start gently. | | | | to quit. Yes, even if your granny smoked and could still |
| If it is drinking that you are concerned about, start by | | | | bike to the post office and back aged 103! Get some |
| cutting down. Pledge to drink sensibly, or maybe try | | | | support and quit if you're serious about facing this vice |
| limiting alcohol to a sensible amount at weekends. This | | | | head on, there is plenty of help these days if you are |
| is far more attainable than giving up altogether and | | | | serious about giving up smoking. |
| unless your doctor has told you otherwise, the odd | | | | Other resolutions that often seem to be forgotten are |
| glass of wine can actually benefit your health - so don't | | | | 'make time to relax' and 'do something altruistic every |
| be so hard on yourself. | | | | week'. |
| If you are aiming to get fit, start with half an hour of | | | | These two life changes will benefit you hugely and are |
| gentle exercise three or four times a week before | | | | easy-peasy to stick to! |
| you commit to that expensive gym membership. | | | | Relaxation and altruism are now known to be two of |
| Better still think of an activity that you really enjoy and | | | | the best things that you can do to immediately improve |
| join a class or group. Dancing, paint-balling, kickboxing, | | | | your physical and mental health, so at the very least - |
| horse-riding, rock-climbing, swimming - the list is endless | | | | call your mum to see if she needs a hand with |
| and you can custom-build your fitness programme | | | | anything this weekend, then curl up on the sofa with a |
| without ever feeling that you're doing anything but | | | | good book, and soak up the benefits! |