I don’t know about you, but there is something about the end of the year that has me thinking about health and wellness. And let’s be honest with the cold temperatures and all the tempting holiday treats, it can be really easy to indulge in a bunch of foods that we later regret, as if we were bears trying to build up that winter layer of insulation. But there is no sense in waiting for January 1 to set goals and start crushing them. I’m a firm believer in starting to work toward goals when you make them rather than pushing it off ’till tomorrow’ or a more ‘convenient’ time. But it’s not just a matter of hitting the gym more! Here are three things to consider as you find a health regime that works for you.

Diet (as in the food you put in your diet to nourish your body.)

Honestly, it’s hard to stick to a healthy diet. If you are anything like me, at times you wing it - eating things that seem healthy and trying not to over indulge. But I’ve found the key to success is making a plan and sticking with it. I don’t just mean a plan like ‘I’m going to eat healthy’ or ‘I’m going to eat more vegetables.’ But rather I mean a plan like you’ve plotted out your meals ahead of time and stocked your cabinets full of the stuff you want to be eating for healthy living and not the stuff you shouldn’t be eating. That takes work and a lot of thinking ahead, because if you are left trying to come up with a breakfast and lunch option as you are running out the door to get to work in the morning, chances are those aren’t going to be the best meals.

You also need to do some research and not just go with whatever fad diet is popular at the time. Each person is different and each body gets fuel in different ways. For instance, some people steer well clear of carbs and sugars, keeping them to as much of a minimal as possible. But, if your body doesn’t have enough carbs to turn into energy, you’re going to be feeling the effects of fatigue more than you should be. (Been there done that when I went on the Paleo diet and kept working out to my same level of intensity. I wasn’t getting enough energy from the food that I was eating those first weeks and in turn felt like I was in a constant state of exhaustion.)

Despite what anyone tells you, carbs aren’t always bad. They can be, but you just need to know how to take them right. Instead of cutting them out all together, a low carb diet is often a better option - something like the keto diet. (If you’re looking for keto friendly products, Mr Keto is an official retailer of Pruvit products.) It’ll give you all the energy you need without doing you the harm that too many carbs would give you. or the Paleo diet, which cuts out any foods that our caveman ancestors wouldn’t have been able to forage. (This is the one I prefer, because it works well with my body and its needs. It is good for losing weight, as well as decreasing pain from inflammation.

Exercise

We’ve all been there, made that resolution to hit the gym more, and then…. It’s the whole reason my gym is a circus the month of January and then goes make to it’s usual low-key buzz the other 11 months of the year. Don’t wait for January 1st to start getting into an exercise routine that will help you start living your best life. Finding a routine and sticking to it is the key to seeing results. Start off slow. No need to go HAM the first time you step foot in the gym. Start with things that are manageable but still push you a little out of your comfort zone. Maybe that’s a 30-minute run-walk combination on the treadmill or a Pilates class at the gym. Don’t push yourself too hard; listen to your body and what it needs and is capable of.

Here too, as with your diet, it’s good to have a plan. What’s your goal? Do you want to lose weight, gain muscle, run a 10-minute mile, see definition in your arms? Having a goal and a plan to achieve that will help you stay focused from the moment you walk in the doors. Without a plan, you’ll end up going with your feelings at the moment, which will probably result in a workout that is less than rigorous. For instance, do you want to tone? If so you need to be focusing on more reps and sets at a lower weight. It’ll reduce your body fat levels and increase your muscle tone. But if you’re looking to gain muscle weight, then the higher weights and lower reps and sets is the way for you. Just tailor your regime to whatever goal you have in mind, and stick to going to the gym 3 or 4 times a week. Within the first few months you should start to see an improvement, as long as you’re sticking to the clean diet as well. But remember results take time and persistence, they aren’t a matter of a couple weeks.

Reaping the Benefits of Healthy Living

Once you’ve started your exercise and eating regime, and actually stick to it, the results will speak for themselves. For me, when I stick to my diet and exercise plan I find myself better rested, with more energy, in need of less caffeine, with fewer headaches and generally able to see the world as a better, happier place. If you are fueling your body properly and not overtaxing yourself at the gym, you should have more energy, and you should definitely start to feel much more body confident. The improvements that you start to notice will make you smile and hold your head up a little higher as you look in the mirror and love the results visible before you.

And of course, exercise also release endorphins which make you feel amazing after a workout, it should be one of the reasons you keep going back for more. Hence the reason I find the world a happier place if I am regularly workout out. Working out improves your cardiovascular system, as well as keeping your muscles and joints in tip top condition. The healthy diet will reduce your risk of heart disease or diabetes, especially if you’re cutting down your sugar content.

What will your health regime be in the months ahead?