In an era when resolutions are made easily and dropped just as fast, NOW is your opportunity to stop and truly start fresh for the new year. As the greatest advocate for all things healthy, here are my New Year’s resolution tips.
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1. Commit to what you commit to
Choose resolutions you genuinely want, and follow through.
2. Make small, sustainable changes
Start the day with a glass of warm water and lemon to rehydrate. If you take sugar in your coffee, drop it.
3. Find true balance
Rest and relaxation are no longer a luxury; they’re essential for a healthy mind and body.
4. Walk every day
A walk each day beats a huge workout once a week. Mix it up: pick a beach, a national park, a mountain trail or a coffee strip on the coast.
5. Keep your food in balance
- If it’s normally fried, have it grilled.
- If it’s wine every day, try a spritzer with soda water, and have some alcohol-free days.
- Reduce your red meat and enjoy oily fish at least twice a week.
- Aim for five serves of vegetables and two of fruit a day. It’s not hard!
- If dessert is your must-have, cut back to twice a week instead of every day, and choose fruit-based treats over refined sugar.
6. If you smoke, stop
We all fall off the wagon sometimes, so forgive yourself and try again. You can’t imagine the damage smoking does, not only to you but to the people you would leave behind. It sounds dramatic, but the statistics speak for themselves. Call Quitline on 13 7848 or talk to your GP for support.
7. Take control of your garden
We all have a pot with something in it. Add fresh herbs to your diet, and maybe a pot or two of salad greens; mix it up with nasturtium, rocket, watercress and purslane. Gardening helps you relax and helps the budget too.
8. Switch off the nightly news
Listen to some relaxing music instead; it truly helps you unwind. Let’s face it, we live in heaven, so let’s at least try to enjoy it.
Happy New Year!
Cassandra Austin x
