Happy New Year! 2019 is well and truly underway and the January dieting and health adverts plastered all over the media are unavoidable. Somehow we’ve managed to bring the ridiculous juice cleanses and restrictive diets into ANOTHER new year, and if, like many, you’re feeling the pressure to do something about your health, I have a newsflash for you: restrictive diets do not work. No matter how snazzy some of the programmes, diets or meal plans advertised seem, there really is no quick fix to lose weight, gain weight or become healthier (sorry!). However, that’s not to say you can’t do something about it, so below are four easy ways you can improve your health this January.
Eat a balanced diet
Yes, it really is as simple as that. Three meals a day as well as a snack or two, including protein, carbohydrates, fats and your five a day and you are onto a winner. Make sure to eat when you are hungry and don’t cut out any food group or anything you enjoy, but also be honest with yourself – avoid mindless snacking, be aware of your portion sizes and try to make as many meals yourself at home so you know what you are putting into your body.
Plan and prepare
You know what they say – ‘Fail to prepare, prepare to fail.’ Make meal plans and get a food shop done at the beginning of the week. That means no going back for the mid-week snack run. As I said before, making your meals at home is a fail safe way to eat healthily. Restaurant and lunch chains often have excessively high calorie meals – even in what appears to be healthier options – so make your lunch from scratch and leave room for a portion of your favourite chocolate instead. Everyone wins!
Factor in 30 minutes of exercise every day
This may sound daunting to begin with, but exercise doesn’t have to be a dreaded sprint on a treadmill. It could be anything from a dog walk, to strength training, an exercise class with friends, a swim or even a walk round the park on your lunch break. Once you form a habit, exercising can be surprisingly easy and enjoyable.
Take a breather
A constant cycle of sleep-work-exercise can be exhausting and defeats the concept of improving your health, so don’t forget to take some time to yourself each day. It can be as simple as reading a chapter of a book, doing ten minutes of yoga, or meeting your friends for a coffee, but that time off is essential for us to recharge in order for us to give each day our all, so don’t neglect it.
Ultimately, becoming a healthier version of yourself is only achievable through consistency. Although it may seem it, health and looking after your body isn’t just for January or the new year new you movement, it’s for life. It’s not what you do in the first week of January for your health that matters, it’s what you do in the months after. Consistently undertaking regular exercise, healthy balanced eating and taking care of your wellbeing are essential for health to improve and remain a priority long-term.
I hope this provides some reassurance that you don’t need a fad diet or extreme measures to improve your health. Be consistent and the results will follow. It’s much easier than you think.
Until next time,
Abi x
Thank you for your concern for me, just came out of hospital yesterday, feeling a little weak , but better