Nell to the rescue!
Friday 23 January 2009
Oh dear... In case you hadn't already suspected it, around now is the time that most people give up on their new year's resolutions.
In fact, a new lifestyle survey conducted by Benenden reveals that January 19th is the point at which our collective willpower reaches critical mass and goes bang, which means that even the best-laid New Year plans of over a third of adults have gone astray by now.
Why? Reasons to give up on our resolutions include a lack of money, a lack of time, or the bad influence of work colleagues, friends and family. And quite often, we simply bite off more than we can chew by being overly ambitious in setting our goals!
But don't despair - help is at hand! Model, TV personality and sports woman Nell McAndrew has joined the 'Fresh Start, Get on Track' inniative that aims to provide us with the extra help we need to keep our good intentions afloat through the rest of 2009 and beyond.
The multi-talented fitness expert told Closer all about the her latest project and revealed how we can all make simple changes that will make a big difference!
What's your new campaign all about?
Everybody makes New Years Resolutions a new nationwide survey to find that by today the majority of Brits have gone astray and broken their resolutions. 'Fresh Start, Get On Track' , which has been developed by Benenden, is about offering people online support via their new website, www.benuk.com
They can look up advice and tips and get information on healthcare – everything you need to know about fitness and healthy eatingis there!
It's basically just offering people that extra bit of support, whether it’s smoking, cutting down on alcohol, eating better or improving your fitness levels.
What are your own New Years Resolutions and have you managed to stick with them?
I’ve yet to start! I’m supposed to be training for the London Marathon this week, so I’ve really got to start now.
Why is it so difficult to stick to your New Years Resolutions?
I think it's many different factors - the weather does really affect people, it can be so depressing! Then there's the financial situations - many people can’t afford a gym membership. So I would advise to look at alternatives – start walking, go running or join a local club instead!
There’s so many things that get people down, but health and fitness are the things that people know would make them feel so much better, healthier and fitter.
And hopefully you will live a longer and happier life if you are healthy and fit. You’re the only person who can change that. Really, when you do manage to pluck up the strength to keep going with whatever the habit is that you’re trying to break, then you are the person that will reap the benefits!
What type of tips and advice does the website offer?
The website has advice on foods to eat which are much better for you, or how to exercise at home. A few easy to follow tips are to walk up and down the stairs a few times, or to carry some bags with a few extra bits so it weighs more and work up a bit of a sweat!
Although I think the best way to improve your fitness is to just get walking and get outside – walk to work or walk in the park- just walk!
Why is walking so good for you as an exercise?
Walking is good for all levels and all ages – you can set your own pace, and easily fits into your lifestyle. It’s a fantastic way to get some fresh air and to feel more positive – it’s de-stressing and it’s good for the mind as well as the body.
What are the easiest changes that anyone can make to get started with a health and fitness regime?
Try to tackle one thing at a time and once you are getting on with the first thing, bring in the next. Simple things, like taking a packed lunch to work so that you’re eating well and swapping your white bread for granary bread are easy to make changes.
Cut down on teas and coffees and your alcohol intake - you’re saving yourself money at the same time! You should also drink more water to flush out all the toxins!
Want to get healthy and fit? Find your perfect diet plan with Closerdiets.com and receive two weeks free* if you sign up before the end of January.
*Terms and conditions apply