By Catherine McCurry
NOW THAT the festive period has drawn to an end and we embark on a New Year, we start to think of our resolutions and new beginnings for 2015.
Despite reluctantly returning to our daily routine of work or studies after weeks of over-indulging on food, sweets and desserts, this is the week to concentrate on ourselves and look after our health and eating habits.
January is a time to set yourself health goals and think about what shape you would like to be in after three months and six months time.
Make plans and write out how you spend your time and what changes, even small, can be made to your routines.
Following these simple and easy steps will help you feel less sluggish and more willing to take on the new year and, with it, your goals and challenges. So start as you mean to go on.
The key is to start by cleansing your body of all the toxins that has been building over the Christmas holidays.
Do this by starting your morning with a cup of hot lemon water which helps improve your chances of losing weight.
This drink works well because it’s an anti-toxin and has many benefits which help reduce heartburn, bloating and burping. Drinking this in the morning means you will use the toilet more frequently to help get rid of water weight and if you drink it with meals it will help you digest food.
It’s also a warming and refreshing drink to have first thing in the morning – and better for you than a cup of coffee.
The best time for a workout is in the mornings. If you take a run before breakfast, your fat burn will be higher from your sleep, therefore you burn more fat during your workout.
In the New Year, most people tend to sign up to the gym, but you should try a few exercises at home for a few weeks or months and then decide if you think a gym would be more beneficial.
There’s a wide variety of work-outs that can be done from the home.
Start with the high knees which is simply lifting your knees towards your chest, keeping your back straight and doing this as quickly as you can.
Next are burpees (without standing) – position yourself into a plank and again lift your knees towards your chest and repeat in three sets of 12.
Mountain climbers – again in the plank position and rise your knees one at a time towards your elbows. Repeat same amount of sets.
Lastly, try a full burpee which is squat, following into a plank position, then bring knees to the chest and jump up all in one move and repeat this with the same amount of sets.
Working out in pairs or in groups is good motivation and January is full of new classes.
Read the District Notes page in today’s newspaper for a list of classes in your local area and put yourself through a new challenge.
Don’t let your new year resolution die hard, stay with it.
