Article by Michelle Zini

We always start the New Year with the best intentions to eat healthier food and exercise more but before long real life and old habits kick in leaving you right back where you were in December. Most people fail within weeks of starting their New Year resolutions because they set their goals far too high and put too much pressure on themselves, so failure really is the only realistic option. We’ve come up with 10 refreshingly simple ways to have a healthier and slimmer 2010 without making any drastic changes to your life so you can lose weight without giving up the things you love, it really is that simple!

Here they are:

Stay Hydrated – Drinking more water will wash toxins out of your body, help    you to loose weight and give you more energy and   increased concentration. Recommended amount of water is two litres a day.

Swap your footwear- Swap your heels for some MBTS and dump your heels for your walk to work or to the shops, this will help you to burn more calories, tone your calves, thighs and bum and help to improve your posture.

Forget Lifts and Escalators- Walking up the stairs not only burns off calories but works your muscles and lungs. This few minutes exercise a day will tone your calves and thighs.

Ditch your remote- Did you know that over the course of a Year you can loose two pounds in weight. Instead of flicking between channels on the remote, get up and switch over the TV.

Eat Fruit- We all know that we should have five portions of fresh fruit or vegetables a day, but some of us are not even close to that. Easier way to remember and to fill you up, try and eat one portion of fruit with every meal.

Eat Good Fats- Fats found in foods such as nuts, olive oil, eggs and oily fish can help energy production and speed up your metabolism. These fats also benefit your skin, hair and nails.

Just the one- If you’re looking to lose a little weight, swap your usual alcoholic drink for a vodka and Schweppes Slimline tonic which contains 1/3 of the calories of a glass of white wine. That way you can still have fun, without feeling guilty.

Ditch coffee break for walking break- We all love to catch up on, so why not pencil a friend or work colleague in for a walk and talk. Fresh air will also leave you feeling recharged and refreshed to continue with your work.

A Good Breakfast- It has been proven that a good breakfast will give you more energy and help you loose weight. A good breakfast fires up the metabolism and stops you from reaching out for fattening snacks. Porridge, fresh fruit, and cereal are  great recommendations.

Get a hobbie- Join the gym, a sports team or exercise class and this will help you give you the motivation you need. Sports give you as much of a mental work out as physical one and will be so much fun it will not feel like a chore.