Kick bad habits to the curb with realistic long-term changes to your diet and lifestyle.

It's around this time that the weight loss/feel great/look fab New Year's resolutions have been sneakily forgotten and you are bravely telling yourself that they weren't the right ones for you anyway - they didn't work and it's not worth putting yourself under unnecessary stress, life's difficult enough at the moment... You get the picture.

The real reason they didn't work is because they would have been short term, a quick Band-aid solution. In reality, the changes you make in your life will work if they are long term or permanent. They also shouldn't be too drastic and they should ideally be supported by evidence that they really do work!

5 ways to feel fabulous - for good

1 Reduce by half (ideally eliminate) refined carbohydrate intake

White flour, white pasta, white bread, white rice, sugar, white sponge and pastry are no-go foods. They are addictive and the sugar content will leave you wanting more. They give you a boost of energy and then a real dip and before you know it your food has begun to control you.

It is virtually impossible to lose weight if you don't give up the refined whites. They can be replaced with wholemeal, wholegrain, short grain rice - anything with a lower sugar content and more nutrition for the body.

2 Walk more

It's simple. Walk for 10 minutes a day, anywhere, anyhow. Just 10 minutes of continuous walking will move your steps from mild exercise to aerobic which is good for the heart, good for the figure and good for the soul.

3 Leave some food

This can be a problem for some, especially if your parents made you clean up everything because of the old ‘waste not, want not' mantra. But leaving a few mouthfuls equates to less calories and it probably means you stop eating when you're satiated and didn't need those extra forkfuls anyway.

If you couldn't possibly leave food on your plate, make sure you serve one portion/measure/piece less than you normally do. So, for example, serve yourself one less potato, one less piece of meat, one less scoop of pasta.

4 Mix your drinks

Make sure you have a non-alcoholic drink every time you have an alcoholic one. If you're out start with a refreshing sparkling water with a twist of lime, then some wine, then the water, then the wine. It halves the calories, reduces the cost and can very nearly eliminate the hangover.

Alternatively, if you drink most evenings, have one night on, one night off. This gives your body a rest and will enable you to get some really great sleep the night you don't drink. Very soon you will want to give it up completely when you see how refreshed you are the morning after.

5 Everything in moderation

If you look back at your week, did you over-eat, over-drink and under-exercise? Every day, every other day or just once? Make sure you are aware of how you are treating yourself - and how you're abusing your poor body. Set out at least four times a week to be kind to your body and avoid alcohol, sugary foods and white pasta. They may seem like a ‘treat' but are actually slowing you down, wearing you out and making you older than you are.

So take five steps for five days and see the difference. Then continue for 21 more days - that's how long it takes to make or break a habit. Here's to no more New Year resolutions.

Jane Scrivner is an author and wellness expert. For more information on her books or range of Detox products, visit www.janescrivner.com or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for stockists in your area.

Bella Beauty Magazine #14