Here we are at the beginning of a new year, in fact a new decade. Could it be time for you to take a look at how you could improve your health and wellbeing?
I don’t know how many people make New Year resolutions, but in the past the same three were top every year and in this order.
Lose weight
Get fit
Save more money
Then interestingly enough, I heard today that 12 January is known as Quitters Day, because 12 days after 1 January is when the majority of New Year’s resolutions fall by the wayside. That’s pretty grim, a mere 12 days. I believe that health and fitness should be a big goal for everyone and not just for the first 12 days of the year.
Shayne Nahu, the Cancer Society’s advocacy and wellbeing manager says, “it has been recognised for many years that being overweight or obese is a risk factor for many cancers. There is strong evidence that being overweight or obese increases the risk for cancers of the oesophagus, pancreas, liver, colo-rectum, breast, endometrium, stomach and prostate.” It also makes it harder to treat these cancers.
Evidence also suggests that regular exercise decreases inflammation and that increasing physical activity can improve survival rates in early breast cancer.
Good health and fitness give you the opportunity to do what you want, to tackle new adventures and to enjoy life. To a large extent we have the ability to improve our health and fitness by the way we live. Don’t take good health for granted.
There is never a better time to start looking after yourself and improving your health and wellbeing than now.
Five simple steps to get you started
If overweight, aim for a first goal of losing 5% of your total body weight.
Aim to be active for at least 30 minutes, at least 4 days a week. Find a way to make it happen.
Reduce your alcohol intake to drinking no more than 2 drinks, 2-3 nights a week. Alcohol is a known carcinogenic and less is better.
Eat fresh food, food that goes in the fridge and not the pantry.
Double your intake of fresh veggies.
Be realistic about your goals and understand that you are the only one who can make them happen.
New recipes this month
Eating more lightly is a lot easier in summer and I’ve enjoyed trying out some new ideas.
Instead of reaching for chocolate or biscuits after dinner, why not slowly eat a couple of juicy strawberries and then go and clean your teeth to take away the urge to eat something else. Form a new habit.
If you would like help with your health and fitness goal for 2020, please get in touch.