Tips to make 2023 your healthiest year yet

Finding time for your health between the hustle and bustle of everyday life can be difficult. But March is the perfect time to revitalise your fitness routine and make the necessary changes to make 2023 your healthiest year yet.

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MAKING YOUR HEALTH A PRIORITY IS EASIER THAN YOU THINK

Making your everyday health a priority shouldn’t add extra pressure to your day or time. And with more convenient home gym and diet options available than ever before, it’s never been easier to get started on your journey towards a healthier lifestyle.

Stacey Holland, a Wellness Architect, yoga teacher, and gut-health coach, believes it’s never too late to grab discipline by the horns and switch up your lifestyle.

“The perfect time to choose a fitter, healthier lifestyle is today. Right now! And future you will thank you for it. You can count on that,” she says.

Garreth Prout, a sports and health equipment buyer, agrees and says it’s best to start small.

“If you frame your approach to living healthier as ‘changing your whole life,’ it can be overwhelming. That’s why we believe in taking small steps, because giant leaps can sometimes trip us up despite our best intentions, causing disappointment and frustration! By starting small, you can maintain your motivation more easily while reaping the ‘feel good’ benefits that it brings,” says Prout.

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So, where to start?

Here are five quick and convenient changes you can make today to make this your healthiest year yet!

FIVE LIFESTYLE CHANGES TO HELP MAKE YOUR HEALTH A PRIORITY

1. UP YOUR FIBRE AND PROTEIN INTAKE

By eating fiber-rich foods, like fresh vegetables, fruits, whole grains, eggs, chicken, and pulses, you can ensure that you feel full for longer– which reduces the temptation to snack or indulge in unhealthy junk food.

2. STAY HYDRATED

Drinking plenty of water has a positive impact on maintaining your health year-round. Not only does it keep your skin looking clear and hydrated and maintain the balance of fluids and nutrients in your body, but it can also help with calorie control and muscle function to keep your performance and physique at its peak.

3. INVEST IN GOOD QUALITY HOME GYM EQUIPMENT

We all know the struggles of attending a public gym, from having to continually adjust or clean your favourite equipment to waiting in lines (that only grow longer as the new year rolls in) and the lack of convenience that comes with having to travel there and back, often in peak-hour traffic and load-shedding! There are numerous benefits of investing in good quality home gym equipment – not only can you work out whenever you want, with everything at hand, and in the comfort of your own home, but you are more likely to keep to a routine because it’s convenient.

4. WORK YOUR CORE

Exercises that target your core are some of the best methods to get your body in better shape. But it’s not just about doing crunches. Your core consists of everything from your pelvis to your diaphragm, including your glutes. Try planks, squats, or deadlifts to work your core from different angles.

5. CARDIO IS KEY

Whether you love it or hate it, the reality is that cardio is an excellent way to burn fat and lose weight. It improves mental health by reducing anxiety, depression, and negative mood while improving self-esteem and cognitive function. Your cardio can be swimming or attending group fitness classes, going on a challenging and steep hike, or going to kickboxing. And if you prefer the convenience of doing cardio in the privacy of your own home, you can get things going with a Treadmill, Free Runner, or Stationary Bike.

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