I know January is always the time for new resolutions, but due to the disaster of 2020, I think more than usual people are inspired to make changes to their lives. If you have decided that 2021 is going to be the year of change and of concentrating on your own physical and mental wellbeing, here are 3 introductions or exclusions you can make to your life.

Add calorie-burning foods to your diet

Unfortunately, there is no magic formula when it comes to losing weight. It is all about being clever with your food choices and also never depriving yourself of anything – everything in moderation. The best tips to lose weight are those that revolve around making informed meal decisions and ensuring you partake in regular exercise every week. This may sound boring, it may sound repetitive, but it is the only way to lose weight safely and ensure it stays off in the future too.

There is a reason why you are told to eat several pieces of fruit per day – there is a lot of goodness to be found in this type of food. Also, if you eat the likes of apples and berries then you will also be benefitting from the consumption of pectin. Pectin is a chemical that is thought to delay the digestion of food, meaning that you feel fuller for longer. In fact, soybeans are also credited as having the same effect as well.

If you love spicy food then you can really embrace this when you are dieting. Research indicates that by including spices into your meals you can actually speed up your metabolism substantially. The incorporation of chilli is likely to see your metabolic rate increase by approximately five to eight per cent. This is something that will last for roughly three hours after you have eaten too.

One tip which a lot of people are unaware of is the fact that drinking iced cold water actually helps you to burn calories too. How? Well, your body actually burns the calories by heating up the water. So, if you were to consume your recommended eight glasses per day, then you will find you should burn approximately 70 kcal. Another food credited with calorie-burning merely by consumption is celery. Many dieticians recommend incorporating celery into your meal because it is so low in calories that the actual process of chewing and crunching burns more than you are consuming. This is a fantastic way to bulk up any lunch or dinnertime meal. Raspberries are also thought to be the same.

It is also highly advisable to incorporate a good amount of lean protein from solid foods. Solid foods are actually recommended because you will use up a lot more calories during the digestion process in comparison to highly processed foods. The reason you should look to lean protein is that it has the dual effect of decreasing your appetite as well. Therefore, egg whites, chicken, fish and turkey breast are all great diet additions.

Treat yourself regularly

Treat yourself to something special to kick off the year in style. We have all been careful with our money throughout 2020, and rightly so. However, treating yourself does not mean that you need to spend a fortune. Buy something because you want to buy it and it will make you happy. This could be a new book, for example, or it could be something to add to your wardrobe collection, such as luxurious Holland & Cooper boots to trudge though the current snow with, or a cosy beanie bobble hat? After all, we have got some cold months ahead! Plus, with lockdown rules, the only opportunity we get to show off our style is when we go out for our permitted daily walks!

Give up smoking once and for all

Nobody ever said that giving up smoking was easy. However, there are ways you can make it easier for yourself. This includes some fantastic self-help procedures that are really easy and simple to follow. You will have no trouble implementing them into your everyday routine. Yet, as simple as they may be, they are also highly effective at the same time and can definitely be the difference between succeeding and giving in to the lure of a cigarette.

A lot of people find that their favourite after-dinner snack is a cigarette. Of course, you want to abolish that habit. However, you should edit what you eat beforehand as well. Studies have actually revealed that certain food can make cigarettes more appealing. There are also foods that make cigarettes taste a lot worse than they usually do. So, by altering what you eat at meal times you can actually modify the desire for a cigarette. You should be giving up the likes of meat and replacing it with either cheese or fruit and vegetables. This doesn’t mean you have to have a boring dinner. Swap a beef burger for a vegetable pizza instead. In addition to this, you should also change the drinks you have as well. Studies show that fizzy drinks, alcohol, coffee and tea all make cigarettes taste more appealing. When you are heading out, reach for the vodka rather than the wine. Try to drink more fruit juices and water during the day.

You will find it much easier to give up smoking if you get some support. It is up to you how you seek this aid; it all depends on what makes you feel more comfortable. If you would like to go and see a specialist then that is always a good idea – the fact that they will regularly check on your progress ensures that you stay motivated. You will also find help online. Join forums and talk to individuals who are in the same position as you. You will gain a lot of motivation by hearing the success stories of others.

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