So the
thirteenth day of Christmas has arrived and within the seasonal conundrum of
how to lose the half a stone gained over the previous fortnight and pay off the
credit card purchases that didn’t seem a problem until the statement arrived.
It’s time to
start #5stepping, and you can follow the campaign with daily tips and updates
@5stepper and on Facebook http://ow.ly/GVb6H
So, in the
spirit of seasonal panto, let’s start with a simple question: Do you take
drugs?
Oh no I don’t…
Oh yes you do…
Although most of
us wouldn't dream of consciously taking psychoactive drugs or drinking poison,
how many of us down caffeine every day in our teas, coffees, colas and energy
drinks – or even in products such as waffles, sunflower seeds, trail mix, jelly
beans and chewing gum? The UK's Food and Drug Administration's recommended maximum intake is the equivalent of four
to five (regular) cups of tea or coffee per day: without any extras from other
caffeine containing products.
Then, when we’ve
finished spending the day downing caffeine (a stimulant), we're countering it
with a poisonous depressant – alcohol! Almost everyone thinks they drink less
than they actually do; often by underestimating the size of home measures or
the strength of the drink, and about one-third of the adult population are
estimated to be seriously damaging their long-term mental or physical health by
the amount of alcohol they consume.
Cutting down on
coffee and booze are usually top of the New Year's Resolutions list but, rather
than giving up, why not do something positive about it instead?
The first step
is about as simple a lifestyle change as it’s possible to make: drink water
instead. We are composed of 70% water, we can't live without it: we CAN live
without stimulants or depressants … so, just replace two drinks of tea, coffee, cola or your favourite tipple with a two glasses of water every day – one in
the morning and one in the evening.
It can be still
water, fizzy water, water on the rocks, bottled water, flavoured water or even
plain tap water. You can heat it up, cool it down, squeeze in a few drops of
fresh orange, lemon or lime or take it straight. It will keep you hydrated,
help reduce the number of 'wasted' calories you consume, save you money, cut
cholesterol, increase brain power, improve bowel function and reduce the risk
of heart disease.
Drink more
water: it doesn't take any extra time, money or effort. It isn't a resolution,
it's a lifestyle change that will have benefits straight away and will continue
to benefit you for the rest of your life.
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