How many times have you set a New Year resolution – “lose 10 kilos” or “start jogging regularly”, only to forget all about it (with perhaps with a tinge of guilt) by February? With the festive season indulgence now behind us, you may be thinking it’s a great time to put your health-kick into action. Now while 45% of us ushered in 2014 with a New Year’s resolution, a meager 8% of these were actually achieved. And the number one thing we were trying to achieve? You guessed it – weight loss.
So why are so many of us failing our New Year’s resolutions? Changing a habit for good takes time. You’re not just losing weight, you’re looking to change your whole lifestyle so this requires patience and hard work. Those kilos didn’t appear overnight so they’re not likely to suddenly disappear in a few weeks. Setting your sights for one tangible goal will help you to succeed.
Top tips on how to create healthier habits:
Start simple - change your breakfast routine. Store bought cereal (even muesli) often contains high levels of sugar and fat. Replace these with oatmeal and berries or a tasty smoothie.
Take a piece of fruit with you or snack on nuts. Walk around the block to get extra exercise.
Clean out & stock up. Throw away sugary snacks and processed foods from cupboards and stock up with healthier choices. This way you are less likely to give in to temptations at home and will help you consider what you buy from the supermarket.
Prepare. Make a meal-plan for the week and stick to it. Make extra food and freeze leftovers if you’re partial to unhealthy take-out meals or snacks.
Get enough sleep. Poor sleep has been linked to increased hunger and cravings.
Focus on positives. Celebrate and reward yourself on achieving small goals. Not with food -but with other things. Have a day out with family or friends, see a movie, go shopping or just relax. This will increase your chances of wanting more.
