insideKENT Magazine Issue 34 - January 2015 | Page 78

HEALTH+WELLNESS

NEW YEAR’S FITNESS RESOLUTIONS
IT’S THAT TIME OF YEAR AGAIN WHEN WE LOOK A LITTLE MORE CLOSELY
AT OUR LIVES, WORK OUT WHAT’S GOING WRONG (AND WHAT’S GOING
RIGHT), AND MAKE A PLAN TO CHANGE THE THINGS WE DON’T LIKE. IT’S
TIME FOR THOSE ANNUAL NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS. BY LISAMARIE LAMB
New Year’s resolutions can be anything from
saving more money to promising to change the
bedclothes once a week instead of, well, when
you remember to do it. But perhaps the ones
that are the easiest to keep are those that focus
on getting healthy and well. They may be the
hardest to actually carry out – no one ever said
it would be easy – but because the results can
be seen almost immediately, the inspiration to
continue is there as a constant reminder of why
you are doing this.
Here are some of the most common New Year's
fitness resolutions:
Lose Weight
Perhaps the most popular resolution of all is to
lose weight. The problem is that it is rather vague,
and with no set plan in place, it could all fall apart
pretty swiftly. A better resolution would be
something more specific, such as joining a gym,
taking up jogging, or trying out a new dance
class.
Stop Smoking
An excellent resolution that has untold health
benefits. It’s hard, we know, but once it is done,
the sense of achievement is immense. Unless
you have will power of steel, quitting smoking is
not something you need to go through alone.
With the NHS Stop Smoking Helpline, an app,
and many groups across the country, you’ll be
in good hands. Check out www.nhs.uk/smokefree
for more information.
Work Less
We’re not suggesting you quit your job, but
perhaps it’s time to make a change to the hours
you work. Do you take work home with you? Are
you working at the expense of sleeping? Eating?
Spending time with your family? If so, not only

are you damaging your health, you’re
damagingyour leisure time too. Resolve to leave
work at the office if possible, and make weekend's
family time.
Take a Course
Signing up to a course – whether it be creative
writing, photography, French, or anything else –
will make your brain active, and those with active
brains tend to live longer and stave off debilitating
diseases such as dementia. There are adult
education centres all around Kent, plus you can
apply for a degree course at a university (or the
Open University if that is better for you).

Try Extreme Sports
Perhaps not for everyone, this is still a popular
resolution. Extreme sports such as base jumping,
skiing, kite boarding, mountain biking, and
windsurfing are ideal for those with a sense of
adventure, a love of adrenalin, and who are bored
with the run-of-the-mill sports that are otherwise
available. If you would prefer not to go too
extreme, why not sign up to a local football or
tennis club? Sports are excellent at getting your
body in shape, and they are a fantastic way to
meet new people too.

Drink Less
The occasional glass of wine won’t hurt you, but
if you feel you are drinking too much—that
perhaps it has become a habit—maybe it’s time
to cut down. You’ll be healthier, more alert, and
when you do have a drink, it will be more of a
treat to enjoy.
Sleep More
While everyone is different and some don’t need
as much sleep as others, getting an early night
now and then is a great idea. If you have to be
up at a certain time for work or the school run,
then try to go to bed at a time that will allow you
to sleep for a good eight hours. If you cannot do
this every night, then aim for at least three times
a week. You’ll be amazed at the difference it
makes!
Do More Exercise
Take the stairs rather than the lift, jog to the bus,
park in a space at the far end of the car park,
and walk further to your destination. There are
so many ways to add a little exercise to your day
without having to take time out to work out. Why
not invest in a pedometer and see how many
steps you are taking each day?

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Eat More Healthily
Less fried food and takeaways and more
homecooked fresh produce is a good start.
Replacing sugary snacks with fruit or healthy
alternatives is another way to get better food
inside you. Eating healthily isn’t about eating
salads every day, it’s about looking at the food
on your plate and asking yourself whether it’s
damaging your bod y. If it is, change it for
something that won’t. However, don’t forget a
fried treat every now and then is a lovely thing!