New Year's resolutions can lift you up with a rush of optimism and determination ("I WILL lose 25 pounds and exercise regularly!"). But too often they're followed six to eight weeks later by the self-defeating thought, "I just can't do it!"
But still you resolve, year after year, to become as healthy as possible. As Oprah once said: "Cheers to a new year, and another chance for us to get it right." Now, that's a lot better than Gwyneth Paltrow's attitude toward resolutions: She reportedly said she doesn't make big resolutions because she's afraid of breaking a promise to herself and failing.
To help you (and Gwyneth) succeed, here are oh-so-easy ways to stick to your "get healthier" resolutions.
1. Caffeinate. A study in Sports Medicine suggests that a little caffeine before exercise can make it easier to stick to the routine, because the exercise seems to take less effort.
2. Add mini-movement to your day. Amp up your calorie burn by using an exercise-ball chair at your desk (you'll burn 6 percent more calories than in a desk chair) or get a standing desk (you'll use 20 to 50 additional calories per hour).
3. Cut calories OCCASIONALLY. You don't have to slash calories every day! Four or five days a month, restrict your diet to 1,000 calories, and you'll reset your metabolism and reduce inflammation.
These are easy and powerful ways to shed pounds, get healthier, raise your spirits and make your RealAge younger. Happy New You!
Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.
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