It's officially Quitter's Day - the second Friday of January when people typically give up their New Year's resolutions - but this year, we're doing things differently. Personal trainer Neve Cussen, 22, from Bristol, is sharing her tips to live a healthier lifestyle and one goal that you can easily stick to.
Neve, who works at Nuffield Health & Wellbeing Gym, advises her clients not to set unrealistic targets, like depriving yourself of certain food groups or over exercising in January. She told the Mirror: "I think New Year's resolutions can be really good when they're the right kind. If they're too ambitious then people will just end up giving up.
"Eating super healthy and coming to the gym every single day is a really big transition for some people and can be unrealistic, so I'd always advise setting little goals instead of huge ones."
Neve tells all of her clients to try and reach a step goal every single day, and says walking is the best way to improve your general health and wellbeing.
Plus, it makes for an achievable resolution as you can hold yourself accountable on your phone or Fitbit every evening.
And if you prefer not to track your steps on a device, simply agree a time or distance with yourself that you'd like to walk each day.
"I walk 10,000 steps a day and always park further away from the place I want to go. I take the stairs and walk short distances instead of driving," Neve explains.
If you've signed back up to the gym this year but you're a little clueless about what to do when you get inside, Neve suggests asking for help.
"I always advise nervous people to go into the weights section with someone who knows it well or get a PT for a few sessions," she says.
"And remember that everyone is way more obsessed with looking at themselves than looking at you, even if it feels like they're staring."
Despite being a personal trainer, Neve admits to feeling intimidated by the gym too - especially when you join a new one.
"Last summer, I joined two new gyms and I literally sat outside in my car for 20 minutes hyping myself to go in. I know exactly what to do but it's still nerve-wracking," she said.
While exercise plays a major role in living a balanced and healthy lifestyle, Neve believes nutrition comes at the forefront.
"The most common question clients ask me is: 'Can I eat carbs?' - you absolutely can and I eat them with every meal," she explains.
Whether it be chilli con carne with rice for lunch or chicken stir fry for tea, Neve has lots of carbohydrates to keep her energy levels up and help her muscles recover.
She says one thing that actually stops a lot of people losing weight is a really strict diet "as you will just end up bingeing".
Neve is a self-confessed chocoholic and always makes room for a sweet treat, whether that's chocolate in her baked oats for breakfast or a Freddo for dessert.
"I can never understand my clients when they cut it out," she says.
So, if you're already struggling to stick to your resolutions and you're considering giving up, try Neve's top tips for the rest of January.
Do you have a crazy New Year's resolution? Get in touch via nia.dalton@reachplc.com.
