With 2019 fast approaching people’s minds start turning to New Year’s resolutions.

Every year I think I must join the gym, lose weight, drink less, sleep more, swear less, eat more fruit and vegetables. The list goes on yet every year I fail miserably within the first week.

After the indulgence of Christmas and the inhalation of at least two large tubs of Quality Street (other chocolates are available but aren’t nearly as nice) one’s body requires attention. It turns out I require some sort of medical intervention but that’s another story. 

We all over indulge at Christmas. Too much wine, champagne, sherry, Baileys, chocolate, mince pies, Christmas cake, nuts, turkey, trifle, Christmas pudding, cheese – is anyone else hungry now? 

The thing is to enjoy ourselves but not beat ourselves up about it afterwards. Don’t worry about it DO something about it!

We enjoy a winter walk in the countryside over Christmas, it is a good way to attempt to keep active over the festive period when the temptation to binge eat and watch made-for-tv movies becomes all too much. Or is that just me?

There are several tricks to keeping a New Year’s resolution:

Find something you enjoy

My problem is that everything I enjoy involves me putting on weight or at least not losing any. Sometimes when I find something I do enjoy, there’s normally a reason I can’t commit – I actually like the gym, but illness means I can’t always keep it up. If you can find the elusive exercise you enjoy then stick with it. 

Try something new

Don’t be afraid to stick your neck out and try a different sport. You might find you have a talent for something you never thought to try before. Give fencing a go, join a yoga class or taekwondo. Maybe try pole dancing? If getting outdoors is more your style, why not try horse riding or golf. Your partner might be taking up golf in the new year, – mainly because his friends play at the weekend, so it’s a good excuse to socialise. This is a great gift opportunity to provide him with those sporting essentials. You could kit him out in some Hugo Boss golf clothing from Function 18, – then at least he’ll look the part in the new year!

 

Change your lifestyle

You cannot expect to keep up a New Year’s resolution if you don’t change your lifestyle. “If you keep on doing what you’ve always done, you’ll keep on getting what you’ve always got” is my motto.

If you find a new sport or hobby you enjoy then you must make time for it in your busy schedule. Ensure you do it on a regular basis. Breaking old habits is part of the battle but forming new ones will make all the difference.

Make new friends

If you can make friends whilst taking up your new hobby, then you are more likely to keep it up. Better still try to involve old friends. You never know, they might enjoy your new hobby too! 

Join a club

Friends of mine go running, and they have joined clubs. You could join a swimming club or golf club. If you find your new year’s resolution is fun, you’re more likely to keep it up. Maybe a club would be more sociable as exercise can be lonely. It is also a great way to make new friends and meet like-minded people. 

I hope my suggestions give you food for thought (do you see what I did there?) – Happy New Year!!