5 THINGS YOU SHOULD START DOING TODAY

A lot of us, myself included have a way of procrastinating when it comes to certain things. Sometimes they don't seem that important and get put to the back of my mind. I think there are a few things we all need to do more of at times. 

Take care of your health

Your health above all else is the most important thing you should take care of. There are 3 types of people when it comes to health, the ones who book and appointment at the doctors for a headache they've had for 30 minutes, those who wait until a symptom is incredibly irritated and emergency appointments are needed. Finally there are people who know when appointments are needed. Ensure you take care of yourself and book in routine appointments such as the dentist every 6 months or your contraceptive appointments. Get them scheduled ahead of time and be well organised.

De-clutter something in your life

I find that I have a tendency to hold onto my belongings for longer than need be. If you find your wardrobe or cupboards to be overflowing and packed, maybe it's time to declutter and get rid of things you haven't worn/used for the past 6 months. At first, I found this to be one of the hardest tasks because I get attached to my pretty clothes and other belongings, although when I started to declutter it was great to get rid of unwanted/unneeded items.

One thing few people remember to declutter is their laptop. Over time you can accumulate so many files and photos that you no longer need or simply need to be organised. I spend about 4 hours deleting and filing photos, now everything has a place and I can find things easily. Let's see how long it last before I have to declutter again! 

Exercise

You've most likely heard this one to many times but you need to exercise. Fitness is proven to release endorphins and improve your mood, it also gives you a sense of achievement. The thought of exercising can be daunting at times but when you get yourself into a routine you'll enjoy fitness much more. If you can't stand the sight of a gym, take up another form of fitness such as Pole Dancing, you get fit while learning a new skill.

Eat healthy food

I can't stress enough how important it is to eat healthily, I'm not saying I always make the right choices and it can be difficult if you're busy or work unusual shift patterns but you need to plan ahead. Try preparing your snacks and meals for the next day the night before so you don't reach for the easy option of junk food. Ensure you keep changing it up, if you stick to the same old food each day you can become bored.

Spend time with family and friends

We get so caught up in day-to-day life that we sometimes forget to put time aside for family and friends. Work isn't everything in life so leave those pesky tasks for another day and spend some time catching up with your loved ones. 

Sincerely, Kimberly.

xxx

MAKING SIMPLE DAILY HEALTHIER CHOICES

Leading a healthy lifestyle is high on my priority list, I'm always trying to make simple changes to be healthier. It can be difficult sometimes with all the temptation to indulge in food out, sugary snacks and frizzy drinks. There are a few simple changes that can be made to lead a healthier lifestyle.

1. Swap Deli meats for fresh chicken, beef or tofu 

Deli meats are highly processed, ham and salami are two of the worst ones. Make your salads or sandwiches healthier by choosing fresh chicken, beef or tofu. 

2. Avoid caffeine

If you love your morning coffee this may be a difficult one for you! Caffeine is highly addictive and very dehydrating, try replacing your morning tea or coffee with Green or herbal tea.

3. Replace fizzy drinks with flavoured water

Fizzy drinks contain large quantities of sugar which isn't good for your body inside or out. Excess amounts of sugar can cause caverties, fat storage and breakouts on the skin. Making your own flavoured water is very easy and tastes delicious. Why not give it a go and make your own? Add some fresh fruit to a jug of water and leave it to infuse overnight in the fridge. By the morning you'll have fresh fruity water.

4. Swap white bread and wraps for wholemeal bread

Homemade sandwich are a healthier alternative to buying a meal deal at boots but the bread you use can make a huge difference. White breads and wraps are full of refined flours which can spike your blood sugar levels, after a short period of time you can be left feeling hungry again. Swap the white bread and wraps for the wholemeal option which has all the essential nutrients needed.

5. Choose air popped popcorn over crisps 

Crisps are full of saturated fat and are a very addictive junk food. If you need to feed your craving, try snacking on air popped popcorn as it's a healthier alternative due to the way its produced.

6. Replace milk and white for dark chocolate
I don't think I need to say anything about chocolate, it's a well-know fact that it's full of sugars, fats and other unknown ingredients. I've recently read that if chocolate was introduced to the market today, it wouldn't be approved due to the ingredients. If like me, you have a huge sweet tooth try swapping milk or white chocolate for 70% dark chocolate which will still satisfies your cravings.

7. Get exercise where possible
Fitness is something we all neglect at times but its important to maintain a healthy routine. If you struggle to fit it around your busy schedule make some simple changes like taking the stairs instead of the lift or walking instead of driving.

Sincerely, Kimberly.

xx