Last New Year’s Eve probably seems like a lifetime away now. It’s probable that you’re even planning what to do this Christmas and New Year. So, how many of us have kept their New Year’s Resolutions? How many of us have stuck to our vows to lose weight, do more exercise, quit smoking, cut down on drinking, give up coffee?
According to a survey conducted by the University of Scranton and published in the Journal of Clinical Psychology, 45% of Americans usually make one or more New Year’s resolutions. However, only around 20% of these people actually stick to the resolutions that they made in such good faith. Maybe New Year’s Eve, over a glass or two of wine and after an indulgent festive season isn’t the best time to make resolutions?
So, what can we do? Instead of letting ourselves go with the excuse that it’s the holidays, or that there is no point in even trying to get fit before Christmas as it will all be undone over Thanksgiving, parties, Christmas dinners and drinks, we can start now to lay a good foundation so that we enter the New Year healthier and fitter than ever. Maybe we should ditch the New Year’s Resolutions and make Fall Resolutions instead.
By changing your habits at the start of Fall you should be in a good routine by the time you get to Christmas, making it easier to maintain a good level of health over the holidays. In addition, getting started with, say running, is much nicer on a crisp Fall day, with the leaves falling gently from the trees, than in January, when it is freezing cold and raining.
Here are some simple tips to help get you in shape for Christmas, and beyond:
1. Find your Motivation. Feeling big? Waiting for Weight Loss Surgery? Need a joint replacement or cardiovascular surgery? Or do you just want to look good and feel good about yourself? Every person’s motivation for getting fit is different, but each one is equally important. Find your motivation, and being honest with yourself, to help you to succeed.
2. Be Prepared. Ok, so the nights are getting darker. Now we mention it, the mornings are too. By planning ahead and preparing yourself you won’t be put off by the darkness. Get yourself some high visibility gear and a small torch. Many people prefer running in the dark, so give it a go before you settle back into your couch with the promise that you’ll “do it tomorrow”.
3. Plan Ahead. Some people find it easy to just get up and go for a walk, hike, run, swim, bike ride. However, we are not all good self-motivators and for some of us it is just too easy to find a reason not to go today. If you plan ahead your activity, where you will go, and what time you will go, you are more likely to stick to it. You are much more likely to do “A walk around the park for 25 minutes at 6pm on Thursday than “A walk some time Thursday, if I can fit it in”. If you can find someone to go with you will be even more likely to stick to the arranged time and distance.
4. Give Yourself The Right Fuel. By eating well, with lots of fresh fruit and vegetables, as well as lean protein, carbohydrates and plenty of fiber, you will be giving your body the energy it needs in order to exercise well. Keep an eye on our Facebook page where we have lots of health tips and great healthy recipes.
5. Remember: It Takes Time. You won’t look different tomorrow if you start your Fall Fit Resolutions today. Most people who give up on new exercise regimes do it in the first month because they can’t see any difference. It takes about 28 days for our bodies to adapt and change as the result of a new regime. If you can stick it out for a month you WILL see a difference that will make you want to continue for life.
At Angeles Health we are committed to providing services that will help to improve our patients’ quality of life, health and wellbeing. Offering a range of procedures from teams of world class doctors, we offer the best, safest procedures, at a low cost. To find out more about Angeles Health and how we can help you, contact us today.