» Makeover your life
Zara Baker says January is the perfect time to give your body a complete MOT
New year’s resolutions can be broken as easily as they are made. No more chocolates, cigarettes or alcohol for me, you may think. But restricting your guilty pleasures may just set you on the path to failure. Instead of going cold turkey, cut down gradually and prepare to introduce other changes to your life for a new and improved you. It’s all about taking care of your mind, body and soul.
Mind
Firstly, make 2010 the year you’re not so hard on yourself. So you wanted to quit that nasty habit (whatever it may be) by 1 January, but it didn’t quite work out that way. Set yourself goals but understand they need to happen gradually.
If you are determined to lose that excess weight, and fast, make a plan for meal times and exercise. But do allow yourself some treats, otherwise you’re likely to fall back into the same eating habits after a short time. Similarly, if this is the year you decide go for a new job or that big promotion, start by writing down realistic ways you will go about achieving this. Envisioning your goal makes it seem doable, and having a plan will mean you’re more in control. Think of it like going to that important work meeting: you probably wouldn’t turn up without knowing what’s on the agenda and having made notes. Approach the whole year ahead in the same way.
Body
Look good, feel good, or so the saying goes. And it works the other way round: if you feel good, then you increase your chances of looking good.
A positive outlook often equals a healthy glow. A healthy diet, combined with plenty of exercise, is essential to your body in prime health. January is the perfect month for a detox – after the excess fats and alcohol consumed at Christmas, your body will be crying out for a cleanse. There are plenty of recipe books out there devoted to following a detox diet. Stick to a special meal plan for just two weeks, or the full month, and you will start to feel good and look great.
Soul
Many of us spend the beginning of the new year soul searching. What point are we at in our lives now? Where do we want to be? Small changes can go a long way towards bringing greater clarity and making us more positive about ourselves.
For a real cleansing of the soul, try something different in 2010: make a book list with the goal of reading one book a week or a month (it really is up to you); joining a book club is even better, as you get to meet new people and share a common interest. Start a new hobby such as knitting – it’s no longer just for nannas; there are various weekly groups in and around Brighton. Knitting is practical, enjoyable and productive. You can save money too, by knitting up some great winter woolies or gifts for friends. It’s also far safer than a new year’s resolution to try some extreme sport!
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