New Year Resolutions? But it’s May! Part One
MAY – Exercise
Time to introduce some routine and structure. If you are not already active, aim for twice a week. Be it a class (remember that FREE membership we students have? Yeah, that. Use it!), a walk with friends, a swim, or a heated Frisbee game. It doesn’t matter, just get out there. Additionally, try and just be more active in general, and use the beautiful weather we are due to your advantage to walk everywhere AND work on the tan, as well as topping up those Vitamin D levels. After a month, it’ll be easy to add a third and/or fourth day of exercise.
JUNE – More Water, Less Booze
I’m afraid this one is not negotiable. If anything else, think of the money you’ll save (see August). Don’t suddenly start with 2 litres a day if you’re on 0 litres a day, it’s too much and you’ll be missing half your lectures for loo breaks. Aim for a 500ml increase each week. So week 1, 500ml per day. Week 2, 1litre per day. Week 3, 1.5 litres a day, and finally, you’ll be nailing that 2 litres by the end of month. Remember, herbal teas, fruit and veg all count towards your water intake. Booze does not count. At all. Cut it down as much as possible.
JULY – Eat the Rainbow
You’re exercising, you’re drinking water, well done you! Now, time to think about fuelling this new body of yours. Keep a food diary for the first week of the month, then either take an (honest) look at it yourself, or get a fitness-type friend to evaluate it. See what’s good and what’s working, and look for room for improvement. Do you really need a scone a day? Could you perhaps change your full-fat cappuccino’s to Americano’s? Could you add in a couple of extra veggies with dinner? Could you snack on carrot sticks and extra fruit instead of 3pm cake?
Can’t cook? Sign up for a cooking class (or just go home to the Mother and ask her).
AUGUST – Finances
Make an appointment with a financial advisor (use UCC’s Budgetary Advisor). Spend some real time learning what you have, what you owe, and what you need. Finally organise that pension (yes, really- you’re never too young to start), or start that secret savings account and set up the direct debit into it each month. Request a performance review at work if you feel you deserve a pay rise. If you’re in debt, seek help as to how to streamline it and get rid of it, or at least make it manageable. And nobody should own more than one credit card. Nobody. Look at the simple stuff- 2 cappuccino’s a day equals €100 a month…..
To find out tips for September to December be sure to read our September Issue (5) of the Health Matters E-zine.