We’ve all joked about needing a Mr Motivator (or Ms Motivator) of our own when it comes to health. Especially toward the end of the year when we can be feeling run down coupled with a slew of Christmas parties, treats and preparations it can feel like good health is always just out of reach.
Around the 27th we will declare that no sugar will ever pass our lips and we will get up at 6am to do an intense weights circuit five times a week, but is this really the key to wellness?
TEDx speaker and founder of Glorious Wellness, Rebecca Hirst, health coach to high flyers doesn’t necessarily think so. She works with leaders, game-changers and go-getters who want to transform their energy, gain brilliant brain power and a happy, healthy body.
‘I’ve found after years of coaching ambitious, high-achieving women around the world, that it’s the small, everyday habits that make the biggest difference to wellbeing, energy and feeling good,’ she explains.
Sometimes though it’s the little things that can evade us – we’re all good at starting big, dramatic diets on a Monday or suddenly declaring we are going cut out all coffee because we think the bigger the better.
Luckily though, Rebecca has shared five steps that anyone can follow for creating a brilliant base in which health and wellness can flourish.
Hydrate like your energy depends on it
‘Because it does. Even a small drop in hydration levels impacts energy, concentration, mood and skin. Drink 6-8 glasses of water throughout the day. Have one when you get up, one with your coffee, one at lunch and so. Yes you’ll pee more but that’s a good sign and worth it for better energy, right?’
Choose your 20 wisely
‘Variety keeps us happy. So does not having strict rules. That’s why my clients follow the 80/20 rule. Eat simple, colourful, nutritious food 80% of the time and allow yourself to indulge 20% of the time, if the mood takes you. Choose the things that you really love, whether that’s chocolate, cake or crisps and when you DO have them, savour them. Enjoy. Every. Bite.’
Eat green at lunch and dinner
‘We all benefit from having more greens in our diet. A good way to boost the amount you’re getting is to have them at lunch and dinner each day. Salad at lunch. Edamame with your sushi. Avocado with your burrito box. Broccoli with dinner. You get the picture. Nothing to stop you from boosting the greens at breakfast too. Hello spinach and eggs.’
Savoury for breakfast
‘A savoury breakfast of something like eggs, avocado, bacon, porridge with a sprinkling of seeds or toasted sourdough with peanut butter helps to keep energy levels optimised until lunch. Steer away from sweet cereals, yogurts with added sugar or fruit juices to avoid an energy spike and crash scenario.’
Your body wants to move
‘All the nutrition advice in the world won’t help if you’re not moving your butt daily. Expending energy leads to enhanced energy. It doesn’t matter HOW you move: walking, running, yoga, spin. Doesn’t matter what form it takes, the main thing is that you get your body moving, energy flowing, joints lubricated and blood pumping.’
