Two years ago I wrote a blog post outlining five ways to make a healthy start to 2017. It remains one of my most popular posts, and I stand by all the suggestions I made in it – but for this new year I’m adding in some extra suggestions.
They’re still not about detoxing. Or fasting. Or running marathons. Because that’s not what I’m about, remember? 🙂
So here are my suggestions on how to get a healthy start to the new year – without setting yourself up to fail.
Set some REALISTIC goals for the new year.
Let’s say you want to lose weight*. I would recommend that you aim to incorporate healthy practices into your lifestyle and focus on how you feel, rather than what the scales say. If you’ve begun to really pay attention to when you feel full (and stopped eating at that point rather than making sure you finish what’s on your plate), started going for a walk after dinner and feel GREAT, then your work is done. The number of kilos lost doesn’t matter unless you have been given a specific goal by your health professional.
[*I’m loathe to talk about weight loss because it’s not something I necessarily place much emphasis on (unless it’s seriously affecting your health), but I’m also well aware that weight loss is a goal for many people when a new year comes around!]
I also often hear people declaring that they’re going to give up all sugar. For the whole year. Give yourself a bit of a break! You can incorporate sugar as part of a healthy diet without beating yourself up about it. Have the birthday cake. Enjoy a dessert if you’re at a restaurant for a special occasion. You don’t need to deprive yourself completely; just don’t get “silly” and eat three bars of chocolate every day. Moderation is key!
Avoid getting caught up in the “but it’s Christmas” trap.
If you already feel absolutely stuffed and someone offers you yet another biscuit, don’t take it just because it’s Christmas.
Your body is not a dustbin. If you’re full, don’t eat it.
Simple as that!
Practice self care
This is a really important one. We often find ourselves eating too much or not getting enough fresh air/movement when we’re feeling really burnt out.
This year, make time for YOU. Say “no” to things that aren’t important – don’t feel like you always have to oblige. Prioritise meals (that is, don’t skip them or eat them on the go) and make the time to eat.
Got kids? Put them in the pram and go for quick walk around the block. Or when they’re finally napping, make sure you sit down and have five minutes to yourself before you start tidying the house. I completely understand that sometimes it’s hard to carve out an hour for yourself when you have young children, but sneaking in a bit of self care here and there will reap huge rewards.
Enjoy the time off and recharge
Yes, it’s great to start a new year off feeling energised and ready to GO. But you will feel all the more energised if you’ve actually made the time to rest beforehand.
Do what makes you relaxed – for some people this is going for a swim at the beach; for others it’s having a Netflix marathon. Hey, do both!
Try to enjoy the last few days of 2018 at a relaxed, slow pace, so you feel refreshed when you wake up in the morning of 1st January.
Unless you’re hungover – in which case good luck! 😉
If you would like to speak with Jess, Babette or Natalie in more detail about improving your health in 2019, get in touch.