Being healthy can be a challenge, but being unwell because of poor choices is even worse. Start 2024 off the right way and kick into gear. 2023 was a challenging year for many of us, but there’s no better time than now to leave the heartbreak and pain behind and start the new year in the best way possible.

In 2023, I had a health scare. I have always been a plus-sized girl. I have an unhealthy relationship with food and eat when I am stressed. But after I got terrible pains in my chest that radiated down my left arm, and I thought I had a heart attack, I finally decided to change.

Yes, being healthy has been a challenge, and I am still learning to make healthier food choices, but I am prepared to make 2024 a year I will remember forever. I want to feel confident about my body. I know in the long term, being healthier will also improve my mental and emotional well-being.

I know I will have many setbacks, and in 2023, I will have many challenges and relapses with food. However, I am trying to be more conscious about my health and make small, meaningful changes that are sustainable.

If you are serious about being healthier, there are many ways to do so. Proper research is fundamental to the process. I cannot stress how important it is to make tiny changes instead of trying to go cold turkey and then end up quitting your diet a week later.

Another challenge I had was becoming healthier while on a budget. If you’re a student or young professional and cannot afford to go to the gym, there are various alternatives you can try. There are plenty of YouTube fitness videos online, so find ones that work for you and accommodate your fitness level. Just get moving!

Additionally, should you not be able to afford the most upscale healthy foods, try to find alternatives to start with. Simply switching from white bread to brown could be a good start, or buying Lucky Star tinned pilchards instead of tuna for excellent protein intake. Have a pear or popcorn as a snack instead of crisps. Small changes can gradually help you obtain wonderful results.

Health experts weigh in.
I spoke to Cape Town dietician Carey Seady, who shared some tips that you can apply in your daily life if you’re looking to be healthier. She suggests a more aggressive, disciplined approach to fitness:

“Commit to becoming more physically active in whatever you enjoy doing, whether it be dancing, hiking, swimming, or cycling. Try to include 45 to 60 minutes of exercise five times a week.

“Cut out all refined sugars and honey from your diet, avoid sugary drinks, and drink plenty of water.”

I further asked Dr Rafeeq Fakier, a Cape Town General Practitioner, for his top healthcare tips:

“Start with what can be maintained in the long term – as in small moves that can be made into permanent lifestyle changes. Simply walking 15 minutes before or after work can be a good starting point.

“Continue this for a few weeks and gain a certain amount of confidence in the consistency, then increase that duration to 30 minutes. Eventually, this will instil active habits in your life.”

Don’t ever allow anyone to tell you it’s too late to change your life and become a healthier version of yourself. Be kind to yourself as you take on this journey, one step at a time.

QUESTION: What are some of the healthy changes you plan on making in 2024?

Have your say in our Annual Survey AND stand a chance to win awesome prizes – Click here to enter.