Great debate: New year, new you – is a health kick really worth it?

Lisa Williams says no way to embarking on a health kick. . .

We’ve barely finished the turkey leftovers and we’re faced with a barrage of fitness DVDs, invites to dieting groups, supermarket offers on bags of salad and shops thrusting keep-fit wear in our faces as we step through the doors.

Gyms are swamped with people clamouring to get on the machines in an effort to shed those pounds gained from one too many mince pies and treats from the tub of chocolate.

And people up and down the land are counting calories and watching every morsel of food that passes their lips. No thank you. It’s not for me.

Wouldn’t it be far easier to just maintain a sensible healthy eating and exercise plan all year round?

So many people get the fitness bug in January only to find a couple of months down the line surviving on lettuce leaves and finding the time to run four times a week just isn’t realistic unless you’re undertaking a complete lifestyle change. The chances are you’ll start the year with all these good intentions that will slip away as the year goes on, as summer holidays encroach, celebrations and parties fill the diary and before you know it Christmas is here again and the health treadmill starts up again. . .

Wouldn’t it just be far easier to live every day by the motto eat less and move more? To indulge on special occasions and be mindful of what you eat during the down times? To factor in some exercise on a quiet weekend or on the way home from work? Most importantly however you want to be healthy it should by eating things you like and doing exercise you enjoy. What’s the point in subjecting yourself to health foods you can’t stomach or a fitness regime you dread doing? Setting yourself up for a fall will only knock confidence and potentially lead to failure.

I can easily have a ‘good’ day and abstain from booze or eating chocolate and go for a quick run if I’m feeling a bit out of shape but I’m not about to deny myself things I enjoy eating and drinking for any length of time as I know I’ll crave them even more, succumb to temptation and beat myself up for giving in. That’s no good in the long run.

I’m taking part in Dry January to support my other half who done it for several years. I’m not too concerned about my health as I drink in moderation most of the time but it’s a good opportunity to give my liver a break.

However you tackle that unwanted bulge or getting healthy, as long as you’re happy surely that’s all that matters?

Emily Bridgewater is all about starting over and being good. . .

The arrival of a New Year heralds the opportunity to start afresh, to be healthy – and after the indulgences of Christmas who wouldn’t want that? From mid-November I’ve stuffed my face with mince pies, Celebrations and prawn cocktail Pringles; that’s what the festive season is all about. That and the Baby Jesus.

So once the last of the treats have been eaten and the Auld Lang Syne CD has been stashed away in the drawer for another year, I can’t wait to get back on the wagon.

OK, so January isn’t the easiest month to start a health kick but if anything’s going to deepen those winter blues it’s sitting on the sofa, eating junk and knocking back the Baileys. What might have seemed so comforting and indulgent a month ago suddenly becomes rather depressing, particularly when you can no longer do up your jeans and you’ve resorted to wearing jogging bottoms complete with elasticated waist.

For me, the New Year is all about going back to basics, resisting rich food and alcohol and eating warming porridge, wholesome soups, refreshing salads and drinking plenty of water. I enjoy clearing out my kitchen cupboards and restocking with healthy options such as fruit, fresh vegetables, nuts and seeds.

Call me boring but January IS boring. No one has any money, the days are short and the weather sucks. And while I am rarely tempted outdoors, I still go swimming, take brisk walks and dance round the living room with my little girl; it’s good exercise and releases lots of good mood hormones which hit an all-time low after Christmas.

I also try and think of it as a spring clean for my body, rewarding myself by using all the lovely skincare and haircare products I received from Santa; spending the money I’d waste on sweet treats on an indulgent massage or facial. So when spring finally arrives I emerge feeling good rather than slovenly; cheerful and healthy, rather than still uncomfortably hiding my muffin top under an oversized sweater. It might still be cold, wet and wintry in our world but sunshine is streaming on the high street, which is already full of bikinis, strappy tops and sun dresses.

I want to be planning my summer wardrobe – and my holidays – with confidence and excitement, rather than trepidation.

Nina Simone said it best. Or Michael Buble, depending on your point of view. It’s a new dawn. It’s a new day. It’s a new life. For me. And I’m feeling good.