The Secret To A Happier, Healthier New Year
At this time of year with the New Year just around the corner, many of us are already deep in thought, evaluating the changes we would like to implement for a happier and healthier New Year.
New Year’s resolutions give us the perfect opportunity to set future goals and make key changes to our lifestyle to help us to achieve them. So if you are keen to change your life for the better and take action – now is the time to get your resolutions on paper and get focussed on making some positive changes! New Year’s resolutions always tend to link to one of the following three key areas:
Health; reduce alcohol consumption, lose weight, get fit, give up smoking, get more sleep
Wealth; save more, make more money, start a new business, invest, reduce debt
Happiness; more time with friends, more time for hobbies, travel, self-development
The majority of people do not stick to their resolutions and with this in mind, less is more. Choose one or two areas where you feel change is most needed and set yourself realistic, achievable goals. This approach is far more effective than attempting to change too much in one go!
Below we explore some common goals and offer insight into how these goals are best achieved.
Lose Weight
It is all too easy to accumulate a little extra weight each year and unfortunately reversing this situation is neither easy nor as enjoyable as we would like it to be. Being overweight can impact our lives negatively in all sorts of ways, affecting our health, self confidence, mobility and more and unsurprisingly the goal of weight loss is right up there with the most common resolutions.
Achieving this goal requires far more than a gym subscription and good intention. If you are serious about getting in shape in the New Year, you need to plan a course of action that will help you to achieve this goal. Think about how to implement lasting changes to your lifestyle rather than making a temporary, unsustainable change. If possible, buddy up with a friend or family member for support and encouragement, as this will increase your chances of success tenfold!
Eat Healthily
Healthy eating is frequently linked to a goal of weight loss but not exclusively.
Creating healthier habits around our food and diet in general influences far more than just our body weight and image. A clean diet, free from processed (and often suspect) ingredients, can lead to improved energy levels and mental health, and reduced risk of illness and disease.
With so many different opinions as to what we should or should not be eating, it can be hard to know which way to turn. That said, open your cupboards, fridge and freezer and be honest with yourself about the changes you need to make. We all know that some of the foods we love to indulge in on a regular basis are far from healthy. Start by banning certain items from the house, replacing them with healthier alternatives.
Make a list and stick to it – if you don’t buy it, you will remove the temptation.
If you feel that drastic action is required, you may need to follow a meal plan to give you the structure to clean up your diet effectively. With a meal plan to follow for guidance, you take the hassle out of the shopping, cooking and planning. Set your goals and go for it!
Improve Your Financial Health
Many of us start the New Year with financial goals in sight, this could be a case of reducing debts and being more mindful about how we spend and save, or perhaps linked to a goal of finally starting that new business, achieving a promotion or generating some extra income with some extra work on the sideline. Put your resolution in writing then create a detailed plan, mapping your route to success.
Stick To Your New Year’s Resolutions!
The reason that most people fail to stick to their resolutions is that they have set a goal – but failed to plan the route to achieving it. Planning the route from A to B is critical if you want to succeed…
Regardless of your resolution, the theory remains the same. Set your resolution then create a detailed plan with dates and goals, showing exactly how you will get there. For example, if the resolution is to lose weight, set yourself a target weight to reach within a set timeframe and write down exactly how you plan to get there:
- Target weight 60 kilo’s – 5 kilo’s to lose by July 1st 2017 (25 weeks & 6 days)
- January 1st – clearout all junk food from the home and begin meal plan
- Exercise – Cycle to and from work Tuesdays and Fridays
- Swim each Saturday morning – Spin Class each Wednesday Evening
Make use of apps and tools like this one, which will help you to record your progress, track your nutrition and motivate you!
Plan your exercise, meals, activities and support to help you reach this goal. With a detailed plan and lists in front of you, you are more likely to remain focussed, and with your achievable target in plain sight, you have every chance of success!
