MOVE MORE

It’s the new year and that automatically motivates more people to get their butts off the couch and get moving. Some people do it to lose weight, some to get in shape, while others do it to simply feel healthier within themselves. Whatever your reason, make a decision to move your body more this year. 

Moving your body more doesn’t mean sweating your face off at the gym or running on the treadmill until you feel like you’re going to vomit. In fact, I strongly recommend you avoid this! What I mean is, moving your body in ways that make you feel fantastic. Walking around the block every afternoon with your family, morning jogs on the beach with the dog, yoga in your lunch break, etc. Exercise shouldn’t be overly stressful on the body – if you put excessive strain and stress on your body through exercise, your body will respond to it as if you are in physical danger. This will imbalance your hormones and even cause you to put weight on or make it extremely difficult for you to lose weight. 

Move your body in inspiring and energising ways, don’t work it to the point of exhaustion. You should feel amazing after a workout. 

DRINK MORE

No, I don’t mean alcohol! Though certain forms of alcohol in small amounts can have certain health benefits, I’m actually talking about hydration!
This year, set yourself alarms, download an app and get into the habit of drinking 1.5-2L of water per day, preferably out of glass bottles and cups, not plastic. Adequate hydration will help your skin become more supple, lubricate your joints, give you more energy, help you sleep better and much more. Water is so important for so many reasons in the human body – you can’t expect it to function correctly and adequately without it. 

EAT MORE

Yep! I’m giving you a nutritionist’s recommendation to eat more! Not just any food – real food! Eat a tonne of vegetables, eat a couple of pieces of fruit a day, eat whole, lean protein and ensure most of your protein sources are vegetarian. Eat big breakfasts, full of protein and healthy fats, eat health snacks in between your major meals, and you know what else? Indulge every now and then and have a few spoonful’s of dessert. Treat food as fuel for your body, sit and enjoy your meals and taste the delicious flavours that touch your tongue instead of mindlessly shovelling food in that hole in your face. Enjoy food! 

PLAY MORE

Take a leaf out of our children’s books and play more. We spend so much time worrying about bills, working, commuting to and from our jobs, but not enough time enjoying life. If you have a hobby, do it more! Schedule it in if you need be. If you don’t have a hobby, find one! In my spare time I like to create new recipes, walk or run along the beach, read books, and I adore yoga (that’s no secret). I also enjoy taking my kayak to the local lagoon or lake and losing myself on the water, listening to the birds and the wind in the trees. It’s so nourishing to the soul and it saddens me that some people go through their entire life sitting in front of a TV or computer screen, and never experience the feeling of getting lost in a good book or treat themselves to a camping trip, hike in the bush, or try something new. 

LOVE MORE

A little positivity never killed anyone. I’ve noticed more and more on my walks on the beach or around the block that less people make eye contact with me, let alone smile back when I give them a big flash of my pearly whites. It’s a bit sad how out of touch we are nowadays with ourselves and those around us. 

Try implementing some positive affirmations into your day, try smiling at people you walk past or even saying ‘hello’ when you pass someone on your morning walk. Do something nice for someone, even if you don’t know them and it will encourage them to perhaps do the same one day. Doing nice things for people, smiling even when there is no one to smile at, or reciting positive affirmations on a daily basis can set you up for a happy, bright and meaningful day!