Happy 2015 everyone! I think this is going to be an amazing year and I can’t wait to see what it brings. I think that a new year is a really exciting time as it’s a great occasion to make changes in your life and start working towards new goals. I don’t really believe in the whole concept of new years resolutions as they tend to be unrealistic and restrictive, which is why most people quit after a week or so! Instead I think the New Year is all about setting general intentions and goals, that you can slowly work on throughout the next twelve months so that by this time next year you’ll feel like a super version of yourself!

 

I know that January the 1st is a tough day for a lot of people, as you may feel a little overfed, hungover, rundown and unhealthy after the holidays. This can lead to a serious lack of inspiration to get back on track with life – but don’t worry, this is so normal! So don’t sit there feeling guilty, beating yourself up or having negative thoughts, just focus on getting back to where you want to be. I think when it comes to this, the most important thing to say is that you have to be realistic when you set yourself goals. While we would all like to be the fittest, bendiest, healthiest version of ourselves, it’s not going to happen overnight and if you go from no movement, sugar, alcohol and not-so-healthy food to kale salads, spin classes and tee-total evenings in a matter of days then you’ll probably going to really struggle, as it’s a near impossible transition! If the task seems too big and too radical then we’re so much more likely to give up and be hard on ourselves – so start slowly.

 

When people ask me for advice on how to make healthy changes in their life there are a few things I always come back to. The first is that, as I’ve just said, nothing should be too radical too quickly, as that’s just so difficult. When it comes to food just focus on eating the most natural meals you can. Include lots of fresh vegetables, fruit, grains like brown rice and quinoa, nuts, seeds, pulses and beans to whatever you’re eating. If you feel really full after lots of holiday eating then enjoy lots of soups, warm salads, veg based curries, stews and bean dishes. At this time of year my favourite meals are things like my roast beet and potato soup; my warming sweet potato and spinach salad; my roasted veggie salad and my veggie stir fry – they’re all so easy, warming and nourishing. Eating things like this will make you feel amazing very quickly!

 

 

Smoothies and juices are also great ways to feel healthy again as they give you so much goodness, and they give your digestive system a bit of a break, which is perfect if you’re feeling a bit bloated. I think smoothies are a much easier place to start than juices as they’re much quicker and easier to make, plus they require much less washing up! If you’re new to healthy eating then smoothies are a great thing to try too, as you can adapt them to work for you, making them as sweet or as green as you like. If you’re looking for something delicious and not too scary then try this deliciousbreakfast smoothie, it’s full of berries and bananas with a little spinach for green goodness, but it’s still nicely sweet. If, on the other hand, you’re after a real green hit then I’d recommend something like my detox smoothie or my favourite green smoothie.

 

The next thing to remember is that if you’ve been eating lots of sweet, sugary desserts over Christmas then your sweet tooth is probably quite strong so giving up all sweets overnight will be really tricky! Instead just switch the refined sugar for natural sugars, as these will keep your cravings under control and stop any blood sugar spikes and crashes so gradually your cravings will diminish. Keeping you fridge full of things like raw brownies, energy balls, granola bars or sweet potato brownies is a perfect way to ween yourself away from all the sugary treats you may have enjoyed over the holidays without feeling deprived. Punishing yourself by eliminating everything you enjoy just isn’t going to make for a happy time so making healthier swaps is a much more sustainable approach – remember that eating should always be fun!

 

A lot of people use this time to set new goals relating to their fitness. I absolutely love getting my body moving and think it makes such a positive difference to everything from my energy levels to my general happiness. Whether it is just something as simple as a 30 minute yoga video at home, or something much more hard core, doing a little bit of something everyday will help you on your way to a healthy and happy new year – even if it’s just walking to work, or getting off the underground a stop early to walk some of the way! However, it is also so important to listen to your body and not to push yourself further than it wants to go. Sometimes a restful day can actually be more beneficial than a workout that your body really doesn’t want to do!

 

I hope this has given you some ideas and inspiration and that you’re feeling ready and excited for an amazing year ahead! Personally I’m working on my fitness, trying to move as much as I can and try out lots of new exercise classes – towards the end of last year I got really into yoga, pilates, spinning and boxing and can’t wait to keep working on my fitness so that this time next year I’m hoping I’ll be a pro at handstands and can throw a great punch! I’m also hoping to develop a practice of mindfulness and meditation to keep me feeling grounded and happy, even when I’m working like a crazy person! I also have exciting ideas for Deliciously Ella, which I can’t wait to get to work on and share with you all soon. I can’t wait to hear about all your New Year goals and hope that you enjoy working on them over the next few months.