New year resolutions or revolutions?
Happy New Year everyone! Christmas is one of my favourite times of year simply because it gives everyone a great excuse to spend more quality time together, and everyone’s willing to go that extra mile to do so. But as we know, with multiple celebrations comes the over indulgence of food, booze and late nights (despite my fantastic Christmas survival tips last month!) and the after math of feeling like we want to do something good for our bodies. Which nicely leads me on to this topic - New Year resolutions!
Of course there’s nothing wrong with health related new year resolutions and I’m the first person to support someone in a decision to make positive changes, but the whole concept of new year resolutions makes me cringe a little simply because I tend to associate it with fad behaviours which fizzle out come February. I want to talk about REVOLUTIONS rather than RESOLUTIONS! A revolution embraces a change which is long term and lifestyle focussed. It’s specific and will require some commitment but it will be worth it when you get there. And success comes when you have a clear plan of what you want to achieve and exactly how you are going to get there. Now let’s plan some revolutions!
Enter a 5k run, 10k run or half marathon. Commit to it by entering now and then build yourself up slowly week by week.
Reduce body fat so you can fit in to a size 10. Break your goal down in to weekly weight loss and monitor progress as you go.
Climb mount Snowdon or Kilimanjaro for charity. Get yourself some decent walking gear and start out on some smaller walks, gradually building up your stamina.
Re-start a sport you used to love but don’t do anymore. Grab a friend and join the local cycling/football/netball club.
Get 8 hours of quality sleep per night so you can perform at your best. Reduce caffeine intake after lunch, create a bedtime routine and get to bed by 10:30pm.
Reduce your families sugar intake. Explain the benefits to your family to get their support. Start to identify the high sugar foods and cut them out one at a time.
Spend more time with your partner or family. Get the calendar out and set dates each month when you will spend time together. Day trips, evenings out or even book a holiday.
And lastly, why not be really adventurous with your revolutions, even if that means you need to seek help from a health and fitness professional or friends and family to make it happen.
