New year, new goals
seasonal event,health,body,diets,self improvement
New Year\'s resolutions you\'ll actually keep
How many times have you vowed to clean up your act for the New Year, only to break most of your resolutions by the end of the first week in January? If you try to get thin, super-fit and give up everything you like all at once, you will need to be superhuman to succeed. The key to successful resolutions is setting achievable goals rather than making promises you can\'t keep. Want to make some New Year\'s resolutions you\'ll actually manage to keep? Read on…
I will set sensible weight-loss goals
seasonal event,health,body,diets,self improvement
Weight loss - woman with diet tape measure
Crash diets don\'t work. The human body can only burn 2lb of fat a week, so if you are losing more than that, the extra is water, muscle or organ tissue. If you aim to lose weight at a steady, sensible rate, you are much more likely to succeed and it is much more likely to stay off.
I will eat more fresh fruit and veg
new year,body,diets,health,self improvement,alcohol,exercise,nutrition,resolutions
New Year\'s resolutions you\'ll actually keep - eating more vegetables
Five portions a day sounds daunting, but one portion equates to just a handful of grapes, a medium-sized tomato or two spears of broccoli. Add salad to your lunchtime sandwich, swap a sandwich for a salad once a week and have a piece of fruit with your lunch. Fruit juice also counts towards the daily ration.
I will eat fruit before the biscuits
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Healthy New Years Resolutions - eating fruit
Cut yourself a deal. Don\'t say that you\'ll give up all your sweets and treats, just that you will eat something healthy before you reach for the biscuit tin or bag of crisps. When you need a snack, have some fruit or raw veg and wait 10 minutes - chances are you won\'t be hungry any more. There are 74 calories in a digestive biscuit and about 50 in an average apple, but the apple is a lot more filling.
I will learn to love fat-free latte
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Healthy New Years Resolutions - fat free latte
If you swap a whole-milk latte for one made with skimmed milk, you will be saving yourself approximately 100 calories (or 60 calories if you swap from semi-skimmed) and a fair amount of fat every time.
I will drink more water
seasonal event,health,body,diets,self improvement
Healthy New Year\'s Resolutions - water
Don\'t worry about getting up to the recommended 2.5l yet - start somewhere. Keep a small bottle of water on your desk at all times - seeing it helps to remind you to drink it. Carry one in your handbag if there\'s room. Whenever you fancy a cup of tea or coffee, have a glass of water first. Get into the habit of drinking a glass before bed.
I will drink less alcohol
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Healthy New Years resolutions alcohol
One reasonably painless way to cut down is to vow never to drink two nights running and aim to have a break of at least two days between drinking sessions. If you are determined to give up drinking as part of a detox plan, diet or economy drive, set a specific goal; you\'re much more likely to stick to it if you have a definite date in mind.
I will swap the pub for the gym
seasonal event,health,body,diets,self improvement
Healthy New Year\'s Resolutions - the gym
You will save money, look better, feel better and get fitter. It will help you to cut down your drinking and increase your activity levels. And, of course, you will feel terribly virtuous.
I will set sensible exercise targets
seasonal event,health,body,diets,self improvement
Healthy New Years Resolutions - dart board
We all want a bottom like Kylie, but you can\'t tone and sculpt overnight and there\'s only so much fat you can burn at a time. If you resolve to go to the gym four times a week you are doomed to fail or fall over from exhaustion. Aim to exercise twice a week and give yourself a huge pat on the back if you manage a third weekly session.
I will make friends with stairs
seasonal event,health,body,diets,self improvement
Healthy New Years resolutions - staircase
Walk up an escalator or the stairs whenever you can. As well as good cardiovascular exercise, stairs are wonderful for toning up bottoms and thighs. When you see stairs think "tight, pert buttocks".
I will reward my successes
seasonal event,health,body,diets,self improvement
Healthy New Year\'s resolutions - chocolate cake rewards
All work and no play make resolutions harder to stick to. Give yourself treats to keep your motivation levels up.
Looking for more fit facts? Check out our top 10 tips to love your body
