New Year – New You?
It’s that time of year when we all make resolutions to make this year even happier and more successful than the last. Here are the top ten resolutions we should all be making to make 2007 our healthiest yet . . . . 1. Butt out!
Stub out your last cigarette and give up smoking for good. Just eight hours after quitting, the nicotine and carbon monoxide levels in your body are reduced by half.
TOP TIP: Avoid smoky atmospheres, such as pubs, where possible as this is where temptation lies. Visit Givingupsmoking.co.uk as a starting point.
2. Get physical
The Government recommends getting at least 30 minutes of exercise three times a week but research shows that one in five do LESS than one 30 minute session of physical activity in a month! Even a small amount of exercise can improve your health and quality of life by boosting your mood, increasing energy, improving skin tone and helping weight loss. It’s also a great way to meet new people.
TOP TIP: Pick up a free Getting Fit, Staying Active: guide to a healthier lifestyle, sponsored by Crampex – for the treatment of painful muscle cramps - by emailing your details to stayingactive@thorntonross.com. This booklet offers practical tips and advice on how to build exercise into your life, choosing the right activity for you and ways to stay motivated.
3. Slim down
It’s easy to let the diet slip and pile on the pounds during the festive period so January is the perfect time to switch to a low fat healthy diet combined with regular exercise. Losing the bulge will help you feel more energised and less sluggish which in turn boosts motivation to keep up the exercise!
TOP TIP: Stick to your diet by keeping meals varied and interesting. Don’t be afraid to allow one treat a week such as a small chocolate bar. Try taking Liposinol after meals which has been proven to remove up to 150 calories from a standard meal.
4. Cut down the fat
High cholesterol exists in two thirds of the British population and festive food is laden with saturated fats so January is the time to cut it out of your diet. Fatty deposits in the arteries can eventually lead to hardening of the blood vessels, causing high blood pressure and even coronary artery disease and a heart attack.
TOP TIP: Keep prepared healthy snacks in the fridge such as pieces of fruit for when the hunger pangs strike. If you find it hard to eat healthily on the go, carry a healthy smoothie in your bag. Regularly monitor your cholesterol using the SELFCheck Cholesterol level test, available from selected Tescos and pharmacies. Go to Selfcheck-tests.com for more information. If you think you may have high cholesterol, always consult your doctor for further tests.
5. Step outside
Leave the car at home, get out in the fresh air and start walking! If you are able to walk to the shops or to work, this is a great to get your recommended daily exercise. Rather than staying in stuffy heated homes and cars, spend some time out in the fresh air which will make you feel less lethargic, help you sleep better and can even help to beat stress.
TOP TIP: Buy a pedometer to count your steps and the calories you are burning each day. Keep a record of your daily steps and set yourself targets to improve each week. Aim to improve your steps by 10% each week.
6. Shake off the salt
Around 18 million people in the UK have high blood pressure or hypertension – a symptomless yet dangerous condition. High blood pressure makes an individual 3 times more likely to develop heart disease or have a stroke. Reducing salt intake will lower blood pressure, and reduce the likelihood of such conditions. High salt intake has also been linked to osteoporosis.
TOP TIP: Ban the salt shaker from the dinner table – salt is present in most foods and will fulfil your dietary requirements without the need for adding extra salt. Cut down on processed, convenience and fast food as these all have a very high salt content and replace with fresh fruit and vegetables. Cooking meals yourself allows control over the content of your food. By the end of January your taste buds will have adapted.
7. Get organised
The start of a new year is the perfect reason to clear out the clutter and give your life an early spring clean! Feeling overwhelmed with paperwork and too many tasks to get done can leave you feeling stressed out and unsure of where to start.
TOP TIP: Write lists of all the things you need to get done each week and set realistic targets and deadlines. Ticking each task off will make you feel satisfied and much less stressed. Keep a comprehensive diary / wall chart to allow you to keep a record of this. If you are ever feeling particularly stressed out, try taking Lemon Balm capsules from Holland & Barrett which helps to ease anxiety.
8. Pamper yourself
By the time January comes you usually feel all partied out - your hair looks dull, your skin’s lost its sparkle and your whole body could do with a tune up. Time for a top-to-toe beauty MOT to draw out all those toxins and give you a refreshed appearance.
TOP TIP: Book yourself in for a luxury facial at the local spa or if you don’t want to break the bank make your own home spa using the Montagne Jeunesse range which cater for all your beauty needs. To beautify your skin from the inside, try Efamol Pure Evening Primrose Oil to aid the healing of dry and irritated skin.
9. Hearing Clearer
January sees the first Hearing Clearer Awareness month – to encourage the nation to pay attention to their hearing and get tested. Hearing loss is not just prevalent among the older generation as one in seven people in the UK now suffer with hearing problems and the average person waits 15 years before having a hearing assessment!
TOP TIP: Pop into your local Boots store now for a free five minute hearing test from a David Ormerod Hearing Aid Audiologist. For your nearest centre call 0845 270 3916.
10. Drink more water
This classic health tip applies all year round but following the Christmas and New Year celebrations you may be feeling more dehydrated than normal. Increasing your water intake will help to flush out all those festive toxins and improve your digestion, aid weight loss and help keep your skin glowing.
TOP TIP: Use water bottles and keep a tally of how much water you are drinking per day. Supplement your water with Spatone Iron sachets to boost your energy in winter months.
