29 Secrets

It’s time for new starts. Instead of dwelling on the events of the past 52 weeks, it’s time to look to the future and use the New Year to make some changes that will make you feel great. But don’t worry – we’re not going to taint your new start with guilt trips or too much responsibility. Instead, we’re offering a list of resolutions worth keeping so that you’ll actually want to keep them in 2012.

1. Improve your diet
Not every “diet” phrase needs to be bad: 2012 offers endless new starts, but instead of tossing your cupboard contents and replacing them with all-natural, all-vegan, super-nutrition type of foods (which aren’t necessarily a bad thing, mind you), build your diet from the ground up, and don’t focus on weight loss. By vowing to “improve your diet”, you’ll only find yourself upping your vitamin intake and cutting back on over-processed foods which can cause damage in the long-run. So instead of a microwave dinner or fast food, think about picking up extra-lean frozen burgers paired with grilled asparagus.

2. Get active
There’s a big difference between joining a gym and staying active, and if you’re concerned that pledging a monthly monetary amount will deter your new starts, vow to stay active over “exercising”. By walking to work, to the coffee shop or even up the stairs to your apartment, you’ll up your cardio activity for the day and burn extra calories, eventually finding yourself in better shape (and not panting if you’ve got to boot it from the car to the grocery store in the rain).

3. Stay positive
It can be easy to see the glass half full, but if you start concentrating on the darker things in life, you’ll soon become a self-fulfilling prophecy defined by doom and gloom. True, focusing on the negative is often seen as “realistic”, but aside from making you feel bad about your choices, what else has it done? This year, breathe optimism into your new starts, and find one thing a day to be grateful about. Write it down, and when you’re having a tough go, return to your list and reminds yourself why life is actually exciting. Not only that, but you’ll find yourself feeling less stressed, drained and actually much healthier.