New Year, New You

Happy 2023! By now you’ve probably got your goals and resolutions sorted and are working hard to achieve them, but are they realistic?

Depending on what kind of areas you’d like to work on, you’ll likely need to make some lifestyle changes, so make sure the changes aren’t unreasonable. If one of your goals is to exercise more, don’t promise yourself that you’ll engage in rigorous activity every day or that you’ll spend hours a day at the gym, this might work to begin with but eventually you’ll burnout.

Mapping it out

You might have multiple goals you want to achieve this year, if that sounds like you, then make a list and prioritise which goal is the most important. Writing it down can also help to keep you motivated. Try writing down your goals on sticky notes and putting them all around the house. Seeing your goals is constantly reminding you of what you want to achieve and having it in sight will keep you motivated.

Priorities

How many goals are you hoping to achieve for 2023? Put the most important at the top, start from the top and work your way down. You don’t have to work on your goals or achieve them all at the same time, you can tick things off one at a time! Don’t overwhelm yourself. Always set realistic goals! For example, if one of your goals is to lose weight, don’t say you’ll lose 5kg per week, it’s not sustainable and if you’re restricting too much in your diet it could lead to binge eating. 

Extra effort

Put a little extra effort into everything that you do. If you’re catching public transport, get off a stop early, if you use a dishwasher, wash up by hand instead. It’s the little things like this that contribute to your health and wellbeing. Walking is very good for the heart, so get moving!

Fitness routine

Boosting your exercise can also help to regulate stress levels, so it’s a good idea to get moving wherever you can. Frequent exercise is important when it comes to maintaining your mental health. A lot of people struggle to fit exercise into their daily routine due to lack of time, so try and incorporate some of these at home workouts to benefit your health.

  1. Jump lunges: Jump your left leg forward and your right leg back into a lunge, with both knees at 90 degrees. Jump up and switch your legs mid-air so that you land in a lunge with your right leg in front.
  2. Side lunges: Stand with your feet hip-width apart. Step out wide to the side while keeping your other foot flat. Bend your “stepping” knee while keeping the other knee straight. Forcefully push off from your foot to return to the starting position. 
  3. Glute bridge: Lie face up on the floor, with your knees bent and feet flat on the ground. Keep your arms at your side. Lift your hips off the ground until your knees, hips and shoulders form a straight line. Hold and ease back down. 

Takeaways 

Becoming a healthier you is an attainable goal. Take things at your own pace and work towards your goals sensibly. Remember that your health should be your number one priority! Up your fitness routine, surround yourself with the right people and don’t be too hard on yourself. Everybody’s health journey is different! Seek out encouragement and support wherever you can and put yourself first this year.