Dietitian shares the FIVE health resolutions everyone should make for 2020

Dietitian Susie Burrell has shared the five health resolutions everyone should make for 2020 – including packing your lunch and getting strict for at least three days of every week.

The Sydney-based expert said if you follow these five tips, you should end 2020 leaner and in better shape than you are now.

According to the dietitian, it’s not the once-off errors that lead to weight gain and sluggishness, but the habits that slide into our regimes without us even realising.

So what do you need to do? 

She said you should either be strict for three days a week, or strict through the day before relaxing a little in the evenings

1. Get strict for some of the week

Writing on her website, Susie said the best way to get in good shape is to be strict for as much time as possible.

‘For some people this may mean keeping things strict during the weekdays before relaxing a little on weekends, while for others it may mean being strict during the day and then loosening up a little at night,’ Susie said. 

She recommends you test the balance and find out what works best for you, so that you can enjoy some of your favourite foods a bit of the time, but still remain in control of your weight.

2. Plan your dinners

No one who is in shape gets there without a plan.

‘When we find ourselves busy, and without healthy foods on hand, we revert to takeaway and fast foods that contain significantly more calories than foods we prepare at home,’ Susie said.

Schedule in some time each week to plan your evening meals so that whatever happens during that day, you know what you’ll be eating that night.

Susie said you could even commit to preparing an extra meal or two each week which you freeze – so you know all you need to do is take it out and eat when you’re short of time.

Good healthy options to prep ahead of time include soup and vegetable bakes.

Not only will packing your lunch the night before save you thousands of dollars in a year, but it will also equate to roughly half the calories you would have eaten had you eaten out (stock image)

3. Pack lunch the night before

Not only will packing your lunch the night before save you thousands of dollars in a year, but it will also equate to roughly half the calories you would have eaten had you eaten out. 

‘A nutritionally balanced lunch that contains some wholegrain carbohydrates for energy; lean protein for fullness and plenty of salad and vegetables will also help to keep you full throughout the afternoon and less likely to be tempted by sugary treats late in the day,’ Susie said.

Aim for roughly 50 per cent vegetables in your lunch, 25 per cent protein and 25 per cent wholegrain carbs.

A drizzle of olive oil or some avocado as a healthy fat source will also keep you full and healthy.

4. Order veg online

Sometimes the hardest thing about eating healthily is the amount of preparation it requires.

But Susie said if you order your vegetables online ahead of time, then you know what you’re getting and you don’t have to rush to and from the shops every couple of days.

She recommends you get into the habit of getting fresh produce regularly delivered to your home or workplace.

Base your meals around these vegetables for an added health boost.

5. Increase your movement

Lastly, while abs are made in the kitchen, Susie said you can still benefit from increasing your daily movement.

She said the majority of us spend too much time sitting down, which has ‘dire consequences’ for our metabolisms long term. 

To remedy this, Susie said you should make the effort to get out and step every single day – whether for ten minutes or half an hour.

Try including a short walk into each lunch break for results.