January blog
Chuck another Olive in Your Martini!
Realistic Resolutions for 2012
You’ve done it again. Made ‘that list’ of New Year’s resolutions, most of which are totally unrealistic – like giving up beer for ever, taking up running marathons by April. Not that we wish to discourage, you understand, rather we do not wish you to enter into that spiral of self loathing when said resolutions do not necessarily go according to plan and you fall off the wagon at the first hurdle. Here’s the Rockface take on New Year’s resolutions, all of which are totally achievable and will hopefully make your world chug along a little better in 2012.
Eat more fruit and veg – we are not telling you to ‘become a vegetarian forthwith’ – perhaps simply enjoy a chopped banana on your porridge, buy the Oatso Simple with ‘fruit in’ or chuck an extra olive in your martini – anything in the right direction is an improvement.
Cut down on the red meat. If you’re a confirmed carnivore, make sure your steak is always fillet (less fat) and try venison which is much leaner than beef and really tasty. Up your fish intake if you can – salmon, tuna and their friends are full of omega-3s which are good for your heart and your brain function (this is a very good thing) and if you like mussels, they’re in season and easy to cook so get down to the fishmonger today!
Walk the Walk. Improvements in exercise are all relative. If you don’t play a regular sport then start small by walking – a brisk walk is one of the best forms of exercise you can take and it doesn’t cost anything, unlike that year’s subscription you took out to the expensive gym last year that you never used (ahem). There’s a great Nike app (iphone or ipod) which records your routes and progress, and you’ll be surprised how quickly you can clock up the miles. Get some fresh air in your lungs, it’s good for the soul.
Alcohol – ah the dreaded dry January. If you can’t survive a month without booze, and let’s face it, January is depressing enough as it is, then see how you get on with cutting out alcohol during the week, or having at least two alcohol free days per week. Or maybe buy one really good bottle of wine and savour it with your dinner rather than bulk buying the cheaper stuff and drinking more ‘because it’s there’. Again, anything is an improvement on the vast excesses of Christmas beer, wine and manly whisky based drinks (that’s Baileys to you).
Smile at people more – you don't have to do Cheshire Cat impressions at all passers by as this is certifiable behaviour, especially if you live in London. Just try and look a bit more cheerful – if you see the same person regularly on your journey into work, say hello (you can always pretend to be listening to your ipod from thereon in if they turn out to be a nutter). Smiling is apparently proven to actually make you feel jolly, so it’s really a sort of self perpetuating haze of happiness. People would pay good money for that but all you have to do is grin a bit.
Expand your cultural Horizons - don’t worry, we’re not suggesting you join a monastery or take up flower arranging. If you’re a gadget fan, get yourself a kindle and read a new book once in a while on your way into work, nutters permitting. Or download a new artist onto your ipod every week. Totally achievable and you might just enjoy yourself.
Lovely links: