Happy New Year!

So, if you’re anything like me… you’ve had a lovely Christmas, spent time with family and friends and overindulged in rich, processed, sugary foods and hit January feeling like a very bloated and lethargic version of your normal sprightly-selves.

1st January is also the beginning of the onslaught of weight loss pills and diet adverts and gadgets promising you the body of a fitness model if you use it for 10 minutes a day or take the pill 3 times a day! Yawn! I workout at least 3-4 times a week and I don’t have the body of a fitness model. You’d need to spend a lot longer than that in a gym or working out to look like those ‘toned to perfection’ athletic people in the adverts and if you have a full time job, kids, etc. it’s unrealistic. These adverts hit us where it hurts at our most vulnerable time and we’ve all spent money we don’t have on gadgets we are never going to use and wouldn’t have the desired effect even if we did.

There are no shortcuts. If you want a healthy body, you have to eat right and do some exercise.

So, how about doing something different this year? How about just aspiring to be the best version of you. Set yourself small goals that are definitely achievable and will make you feel like a success rather than a failure.

Achievable Goals

• Drink more water 
  • If you know you don’t drink enough water, set yourself a goal to drink a small glass at certain times of the day and set an alarm on your phone.
• Buy a fitbit (or step counter of your choice)
  • If you are going to invest in a gadget, get one that measures your steps. Just increasing your daily steps can help you burn more calories and you can set your own goals. Gauge your normal steps and increase it slowly allowing you to hit your target before you move on to more.
    • It is recommended that we do at least 10,000 steps every day so if you aren’t doing that already, work your way up to it and you will soon feel the benefits of moving more.
•  Get more sleep
  • Your body works better when it is well rested; your metabolism runs better and there is less chance of snacking due to tiredness… we all do it and it all adds up. Get your zzz’s and you are in with a better chance of achieving all of your goals.
  • If you struggle to get your 8 hours, (if you do get a fitbit they monitor your sleep so you can see how much or how little zzz’s you get and also the quality!) try starting some bedtime rituals that begin an hour before you go to bed.
    • Make yourself a hot chocolate (make sure it doesn’t have loads of sugar in it – low fat versions usually do!) or drink herbal tea.
    • Stop looking at all gadgets and screens.
    • Turn the lights down low.
    • Turn the TV off and get yourself ready for bed.
    • Read a book.
    • Have a warm bath.
    • Give yourself a foot and hand massage with some delicious creams you probably got for Christmas.
• Go to an exercise class
  • Grab a friend and go join in with a local exercise class.
  • Find one that you enjoy and try to go at least once a week.
  • If you don’t know many people in your area, this is a great way to meet people.
• Eat more fruit
  • Set yourself a goal to eat 3 pieces of fruit a day.
• Eat more veg
  • Try to fill half of your plate with fresh veggies as often as possible.
• Eat less processed meat
  • Try to limit processed meats such as bacon and sausages to once per week – maybe have them at the weekend in a cooked breakfast.
• Reduce your caffeine intake
  • If you rely on caffeine to get you through your day, try reducing it bit by bit. Too much caffeine can cause headaches, anxiety and elevated heart rates and is just not good for you. Stop drinking caffeine at midday before lunch and swap to decaff drinks. This will also help your sleep pattern.
    • Note that decaff drinks still have a small amount of caffeine in them so try not to drink them in the evening when you’re at home to optimise your sleep.
• Look after your mental health
  • Say no to things you don’t want to do, can’t afford to do or just don’t have the energy to do
  • Allow yourself some ‘me’ time – ask someone to babysit whilst you get your nails done or your hair cut
  • Have a Facebook and other social media cull
    • Anyone that makes you feel unworthy or sad needs to go – unfriend and unfollow them this year – don’t worry about anyone else’s feelings but your own!
• Have a clear out
  • Get rid of any clothes that don’t fit you or make you feel fat or that you just don’t like anymore. Make room for things that you love and make you feel like the gods and goddesses you are!

I think that’s plenty to be getting on with 😉

I hope that whatever goals you do set for the new year, you smash them! 🙂

With love, Tash ❤ x