If you’re starting to think your New Year’s resolution are a fading memory our quest this month is to help you claw back that motivation to make healthier choices across the next 10 months!  We’re in it for the long haul and 2 months into this new decade we’re not ready to let all the gusto and good intent we had back in January, fade into the past. Here’s some healthy habits for you to hold onto for 2020 and remember small changes can make a big difference.

WATER Is Everything!

We know, it’s not exactly ground-breaking stuff, but this is liquid gold for your body. And with soo many fab reusable water bottles you can wear your water as the ultimate fashion accessory. Check out our leafy botanical fav pictured below.  Feel refreshed just looking at this one!

Now back to the task at hand, remembering to drink more!! Go get the app on your phone which will automatically set a reminder for you to drink water and you’ll get a notification every hour to remind you. You’ll hit your daily goal in no time!

Upping your water intake has many benefits, it can help you reduce sugar cravings and aid weight loss, combat skin issues, improve memory and mood and even help to prevent anxiety. If you struggle to drink water, try green tea or add some fruit into your bottle to make it tastier.  Starbucks at Marshes have a range of fruity teas, remember they’re mostly water so a great place to start.

We know, it’s not exactly ground-breaking stuff, we have all heard 100 times that drinking water is good for us, but sometimes it’s easier said than done. To kickstart this habit, grab one of our many variations of reusable water bottles in centre and bring it with you everywhere you go. Next, get an app on your phone which will automatically set a reminder to drink water, you’ll get a notification every hour to remind you. You’ll hit your daily goal in no time!

Upping your water intake has many benefits – it can help to reduce sugar cravings and aid weight loss, combat skin issues, improve memory and mood and even help to prevent anxiety. If you struggle to drink water, try green tea or add some fruit into your bottle to make it tastier.

START Packing Lunch!

If you plan and pack your lunch you stay in control of what gets eaten.  Eating on the hop, grabbing prepack sandwiches on the go, opens up the chance of you eating less healthy.  And if you organise your lunch for the week ahead then you’ll save a fortune and your bank balance will start looking a lot healthier too.  Grabbing some Tupperware and prepping your meals on a Sunday can be surprisingly satisfying and stop you from grabbing an unhealthy option at work. EuroGiant have a great on-the-go variety to keep you on track.

Replace Take-away with Make-my-Way!

Mayflower curry, available at Dunnes Stores, tastes just as good as curry from the Chinese, and for those of you on Slimming World, it is only 4 syns per 100ml.

Exercise!

We all know that we need to exercise, but it is not always top of the priority list. Finding an exercise that you actually enjoy can be half the battle. Do something that works for you, not because your friend is going, as much as it may motivate you to go when they go, it will have the opposite effect when they don’t. You have to want to do it for yourself!

Base your exercise on what you enjoy.  Some people like the outdoors, others like the gym, some may like sport or dancing. Don’t be afraid to try different things and continuously mix it up, it shouldn’t be boring, if it is you won’t want to make it part of your long-term regime.

TIP: Start with a skipping rope and some small weights in the house and once you feel fitter and more confident, plan what you would like to try next.

The bottom line is finding what works for you, something you can stick to which doesn’t feel like you are constantly restricting yourself. Don’t over exert yourself, take small steps at a time, even if it means taking on-board just one of these tips. Remember if you don’t succeed, don’t beat yourself up.

Give yourself a foot up!

Invest in good trainers.  Ankles need support.  And choose wisely, it’s not just about how good they look.  The team at Life Style Sports will help you pick a great pair of trainers to get you started and they’ve ranges for every budget.  Remember our feet are precious, they’ve to carry us on lifes journey so spend wisely and take good care of them.

Mind your body!

Being healthy should also apply to your mental health, which is just as important, so make sure to listen to both your body and your mind. Avoid toxic situations in your life and anything that makes you feel overly stressed or anxious. If you are feeling overwhelmed, try taking a deep breath, cleaning your room, making a list, going for a walk or talking to a friend. A lot of the time, you will feel much better after.

And as always, plug in a big dollop of good old common sense and talk to a doctor before making any extreme dietary changes.