Easy and healthy New Year’s resolutions

December might be all about Christmas, a very holy day, but what it really revolves around is the two cardinal sins of gluttony and sloth. January is often a rough awakening and perhaps you’re not feeling as fit and fab as you did a month ago. Consider these healthy New Year’s resolutions to help you feel in tip top shape in no time.

Drink more

Nope, sorry, we’re not talking Jägerbombs but good old fashioned water. The health benefits of water are well known and seem endless. It prevents headaches, influences your energy levels, boosts your metabolism and can help you lose weight. You should drink about two litres of water a day but not many people manage that. To start your year of well, try some of these simple tips to up your water intake.

Invest in a durable water bottle that you can carry with you wherever you go, such as a Dopper. Sometimes you need a little reminder to keep drinking so download an app to track your water intake like Hydro Coach. If you’re just not a fan of water you can try swapping your sugary drinks with infused water. Add sliced fruits and let it absorb the fruity flavours.

Make exercise fun

If you want to exercise more and really stick with it, find an activity that you actually enjoy. Think outside the box; maybe try a tap dancing class or go ice skating. Maybe you’d like to make some more friends – join a volleyball team and let your teammates motivate you.

Pack a healthy and filling lunch

Nothing is more tempting than going out for lunch after a morning in the office. It’s hard to opt for healthy options when a restaurant serves a triple decker burger, so avoid these places by packing yourself a delicious lunch and healthy snacks.

Prep your lunches on the weekend so you don’t have to get up early in the morning and make sure you always have a handful of healthy snacks in your bag. If you keep yourself feeling full and satiated, you’ll be less likely to make that trip to the vending machine. Think: nuts, dried fruits, or try your hand at a healthy homemade muffin.

Sally Wijers