Take it Easy this New Year

OK, so it's time to eat better, get fit and to save money in the process. Whatever your New Year's resolutions are this year they are likely to include losing pounds of one kind and saving pounds of the other. Many people say that they don't make resolutions at this time of year because they always break them. Personally I'm convinced that they're lying about the first part of that statement, at least. Those of us that do make New Year's resolutions know how hard it can be to keep to them, "New Year, New You" can barely survive till February in a lot of cases. So what's the problem with New Year's Resolutions and why are they so difficult to stick to?

Resolution overload

- The "I want it all, I want it now syndrome" is probably the most common reason for failure with our resolutions. We set goals that are so unachievable that we are setting ourselves up for a fall. If your list includes "I'm going to stop smoking, drinking, eating unhealthy, spend more time at the gym, with the kids, complete the Great North Run and make it to Everest Base Camp all before February 29th", then you'll be in for a disappointment or two. Be realistic in your goals. Consider staggering the goals and the dates as you'll have to wait until September in the case of the Great North Run.

- Conflicting aims, such as spending more time with the kids and at the gym, need to be considered carefully. Are you going to be able to fit all this in? How about swimming with the kids as a combo alternative? Or freeing up time in other areas of your life so that you've time for the gym and the kids?

Time poverty

Time management is often the key to saving money and making the most of your free time. With finances as they are and job insecurity lurking on the horizon, cutting hours at work is not an option for most people. The new improved you is going to need ‘me time' to relax, if you want to avoid burn out, so consider the following options to cut some corners, in a good way.

Healthy eating; sounds easy doesn't it? It's also one of our top resolutions, but unhealthy eating is far easier. Healthy eating means that you will have to spend many extra hours sourcing the best, freshest produce from local markets, farmers markets and specialist shops. Healthy eating options do find their way on to the shelves of supermarkets, but at a cost. Lengthy shopping trips to small stores and stalls will come up with affordable produce. Then you have to cook it, prepare it and finally, exhausted and dying for a burger, eat the damn stuff.

There is another way which can help you to avoid the impulse food purchase that ends the dieting ambitions of so many. Check out the options in your area for online food shopping. From milkmen to organic farms the range of suppliers is growing all the time. They'll deliver to your door, and not all services feature delivery charges. Though turning to an online food delivery service may be seem like a small change, the most efficient services can save you whole mornings that would normally be spent at the supermarket. Having healthy, affordable produce delivered to your door can be an affordable way to kick start that healthy eating habit, save you time as well as money and make some of those bigger resolutions easier to swallow!