How To Kick Off A Healthy (Paleo) New Year
A new year is the perfect time for a fresh start. Whether you want to finally lose some weight, get fit or get on top of some health issues – there's no time like today – right now – to dive into the Paleo Diet
Where To Start
Have you got any lingering treats left from the festive season? Instead of promising to get stuck into a healthy regime, just as soon as you finish that last box of chocolates, throw it away! Your body will thank you for it.
The best way to start is, well – to actually start! Throw yourself right into it.
Organise
Sit down and plan your menu for the next week, meal by meal, then shop for everything you need. If it's in your fridge or pantry it's easy to prepare some great Paleo meals
Look through paleo websites and paleo cookbooks for inspiration for delicious meal ideas. Experimenting in the kitchen is a great way not to get bored. Paleo is no reason to have a bland, boring diet!
Whenever you cook, make at least double what you need. You can take the rest into work for lung the following day, or freeze for future dinners when you don't have time to cook.
New to Paleo?
If you've not yet started a Paleo diet before, depending on how you ate before, you may get “carb flu” as your body adjusts to fewer carbohydrates. You can go cold turkey into Paleo (and remind yourself how much better you're going to feel once you acclimatise) – or you can slowly transition into a paleo diet, gradually reducing grains.
The initial period of following the paleo diet is a great time to read as much as you can about this lifestyle. It's great to understand why it works so well. When changing the way you eat, you're also likely to get a lot of questions from family and friends – so being well read up on Paleo comes in very handy
Unfit?
Instead of launching straight into a hardcore fitness routine, it's often great to start slowly. Walking is one of the best ways to increase your fitness, with the added benefit of fresh air and sunshine.
Weight to lose?
If you have weight to lose, Paleo is a great place to start. Once you reach a plateau – it's time to change things up a little. Some people have great results with techniques like low carb (or even nutritional ketosis) or intermittent fasting. Everyone is different, so it's important to find out what works for you
Where are you right now? Are you new to Paleo, or needing to refocus? What are your health aims for this brand new year? I'd love to hear in the comments below!
