HOW many of us decided in advance of Christmas and Hogmanay not to over-indulge, but when it came to it, we just couldn’t resist?
It’s hard to say ‘no’ to a second helping of turkey and trimmings or that extra glass of wine … or mince pies.
So now it is January and many of us have not only over-indulged but have also been inactive, preferring sociable warmth to a bracing walk or sporting activity.
New Year resolutions are an annual ritual. However, try not to start the year by setting yourself impossible goals and then feeling that you’ve failed.
If you resolve to be healthier then take small, steady steps towards this aim and don’t give up entirely if you have the occasional lapse.
It’s easy to start the new year feeling bloated and tired after the festivities, and stressed too. So now you may want to get healthy and may have made a list of resolutions – give up smoking, cut down on alcohol consumption, avoid cakes and biscuits, limit chocolates, take up a sport, and so on.
Rather than start a faddy diet or punishing detox regime, there are smaller changes that can be made and which could benefit your health long-term.
If at home, you could try changing the way you prepare food and avoid fats and oil by steaming, boiling, grilling or roasting.
Offshore catering is already well aware of the issues.
On or offshore, swap confectionery for fresh fruit. Trying to achieve your ‘five-a-day’ fruit and vegetable consumption would be a really good start to the year.
It’s hard going back to work after a long break and especially if as an offshore worker your day is a long one. Over the festivities you may have got used to irregular hours and stayed up later socialising and enjoyed a cosy lie-in the next morning.