Here's to a healthier you!
It's almost that time of year again, where you think of resolutions to make and then inevitably break shortly after. As a fitness instructor turned journalist, I thought I'd take the time to share a few simple ideas that could lead to a healthier 2008 for you!
1. Drink Plenty of Water
Sounds easy enough, how card can it be? Statistics show that the majority of people don't take on board enough water on a daily basis. Be aware too that wet drinks aren't a substitute, drinks such as tea and coffee are wet but act as a diuretic and won't help keep you hydrated.
Water is beneficial in so many ways, I could write a whole article on water itself. Instead, just appreciate that water plays a vital role and you should drink approximately 2 litres per day, at least.
Bonus tip: It can be hard to keep drinking water all the time, a method I've found to help is to keep a water bottle with you at all times. Chances are, you'll get thirsty and you'll drink it. Don't like the taste? Try adding a slice of lemon for a bit of change.
2.
Exercise
We all know we need it, but very few actually get it. Having worked at a gym, I've known many people who join after the New Year in an effort to shed some of that so called 'holiday weight'. Unfortunately, a lot of people then quit exercise shortly after.
Exercise is essential and needs to be regular right up until your too old to keep it up! It is however notoriously difficult to maintain. If you're new to exercise and perhaps considering joining a gym, my advice would be to start off slow and gradually build up your exercise regime. Make it a routine and before you know it won't feel like a chore and then ultimately, it'll become fun.
As a basic guideline, a new exerciser should aim for 3-5 sessions of exercise per week. If you're attending a gym, I tend to recommend 3 days a week for a beginner. Monday, Wednesday and Friday as an example gives you a day of exercise and a day of rest in between. A perfect way to get started.
Bonus tip: Exercise gets monotonous if you continue to do the same thing! If at a gym, be sure to speak to a fitness instructor at least once a month! Tell them your goals and ask them to suggest new exercises to help keep you motivated. If you're not keen on joining a gym, find an activity and better yet, a friend to do it with!
3.
Eat Small
Not quite the same as eating less. With hectic schedules and so much to do, people often find themselves with less time to prepare meals. As a result, an average person will often consume 3-4 large meals a day. Instead, why not make your meals more frequent and smaller? Eating smaller meals more frequently makes the body more efficient at burning food and therefore I recommend trying 6-8 smaller meals a day.
Sounds simple enough, right?
Bonus tip: It's true, we don't have time to prepare 6-8 meals a day! Here's what I do, I prepare one meal and split it in two. If I'm making sandwiches for work, I'll have half of them at 12pm and the other half at 3pm, easy!
