my healthy new year

Yes, this is a picture of my lunch. Nom.

One of my main resolutions for 2012 is to be healthier; a ambition that I'm sure I share with many. I've had the same resolution a few times and I've never truly succeeded, so this year I'm trying a different approach and breaking it down into smaller habits.

1. Eat more raw foods - I've heard rave reviews of the raw diet and one of my biggest inspirations, Jónsi of Sigur Rós, is a raw vegan, so it seemed like time I tried it! Through eating a higher percentage of raw foods I'm hoping to improve my creative flow and have more energy throughout the day, as well as the obvious health benefits of eating lots of fruit and vegetables. But I'm easing myself into it instead of going full speed ahead, failing and subsequently giving up; so I'm going to take a healthy packed lunch 4 days a week, and be conscious of what I eat on the other days.

2. Keep up my iron intake - I was diagnosed with anemia a few years ago and over time I've become lax with taking my medication, which leads to feeling faint and tired - exactly the opposite of what I want! I've pinned reminders around my room and I've got a pill box so I can keep track of which tablets I've taken, but this year I'm also going to make an effort to eat more iron-rich foods like spinach, so I'm not so dependent on medication. 

3. Exercise more - although I'm naturally quite slim and do a lot of walking, I'm going to make a conscious effort to reap the physical and mental benefits of regular exercise this year. I feel really good after any kind of workout, even if it's just on Wii Fit, so it's something I want to incorporate into my daily life. My mum and I went for our first run of the year (and my first run ever!) tonight, and it was great! It's really fantastic to have someone to work with who'll motivate you and push you to achieve as much as you can.

4. Sleep better - I'm the first to admit I have awful sleep habits and combined with other factors it has a disastrous effect on my daily life. The few extra hours of late-night internet surfing really aren't worth it when I can't concentrate on anything the next day. However, I've tried having a set bedtime and if I go to bed when I'm not tired, I end up lying awake for hours. This year I'm going to try sleeping according to Steve Pavlina's ideas and hopefully, combined with my new diet (!) and exercise regime, I'll be feeling much more alert. 

My sister saw me making my lunch and asked me what I was doing. I explained my resolutions to her and she immediately told me I'd never be able to keep it up. In the past I would have been really upset by this, but now it only makes me more determined to succeed.