It goes without saying that over the latter period of December (leading up to Christmas and New Year) many people tend to overindulge in the food and booze departments. Of course, the small price to pay for having a jolly good time; weight gain, bloating and dehydration; are all forgivable, until January hits. If you are anything like the iFashion team, New Year’s resolutions are often last minute, vague promises; such as ‘I will stop smoking,’ that in reality will rarely be followed through. This year, we have compiled a list of 10 manageable resolutions for you to mull over. Pick two or three that best suit you and try to incorporate them into your weekly routine.

1. Thou Shalt Drink Green Tea
Not only is green tea super easy to make (we like the dried leaves but you can also buy the tea bags which don’t need a separate strainer) but the health benefits are impressive. The Chinese have used green tea for medical benefits since ancient times. Packed full of antioxidants, this wonder product is also proven to speed up your metabolic rate; resulting in weight loss.

2. Thou Shalt Switch to Wholegrain
Your body needs carbohydrates and although cutting down on them altogether is a quick fix solution for weight loss; it is not altogether healthy. Carbohydrates are the best source of energy from food but refined carbohydrates (white bread, white rice and pastries) have received bad press relating to weight gain and prompting diabetes. Opt for slow release whole grains, which your body breaks down more slowly than refined carbs. Bin potatoes and instead fill your pantry with brown rice, bulgur wheat, wholegrain pasta and beans. You can thank us later.

3. Thou Shalt Drink More Water
This one goes without saying, but so many of us simply do not hydrate our bodies enough. Ideally, you should aim to drink 8 glasses a day, but unless you want to be dashing from your office chair to the toilet multiple times, it is better to pace yourself. We recommend you drink two additional glasses more than your current intake. Drink one just before you leave in the morning and one on your return from work.

4. Thou Shalt Switch to Diet Tonic and Soda
If you tend to opt for spirits on a Friday night in an effort to cut the calories, it may be surprising that actually Vodka isn’t as guilt free as you might like. A double measure topped up with a fizzy mixer such as lemonade or coke still packs a punch at 170kcal. We recommend you opt for singles and instead choose a low-cal soda with fresh lime instead.

5. Thou Shalt Beat the Bloat with Almonds  
Do you ever get those mid-morning hunger pains and have to physically stop yourself from buying a sugary snack as a quick fix? Well you are not alone. Why not keep some almonds in your cupboard and pack a handful in a lunch container to stave off any hunger pains? Rich in Vitamin E and protein, they are also high in fibre and calories which will make sure you can last through till lunch without ripping into a galaxy bar. However, despite the high calorie content; studies have shown that almonds themselves do not contribute to belly fat and are slow release; so you can indulge in them guilt free!

6. Thou Shalt Make it Hot
It may surprise you that adding chillis to your dishes can dramatically boost your metabolism and help to burn fat faster. Luckily for us, we love a spicy dish, so adding that extra bit of whole chilli to stir fry, pasta and rice dishes will be a small yet impactful change.

7. Thou Shalt Work on ‘Problem’ Areas
We all know how important exercises is but if you have a busy lifestyle, sometimes going for a 30 minute run is just impossible to fit into a jam-packed daily routine. Most women have at least one area of their bodies they would like to improve, so why not make it one of your new year’s resolutions to work on that bit. Upper arms, tummies and buttocks are often scouted as the biggest problem areas for women, who tend to store fat around these parts. Choose your target zone and work on it three times a week in short bursts to see an improvement. You don’t even need to join a gym! The 8-minute series on youtube is a great mini workout, focussing on each area. We currently love the 8 minute buns; watch out Rosie Huntington-Whiteley!

8. Thou Shalt Shimmy on a Saturday
This doesn’t mean hitting the club circuit big time on Saturday night unfortunately, but joining a Saturday morning dance orientated fitness class. Why not sign up to a local Zumba, latino, hip hop or even plain old aerobics class with some friends on a Saturday morning? A great start to the weekend and also a lot of fun!

9. Thou Shalt Cut Calories
The harsh reality is, the only diet that will truly help you lose weight without depriving your body of essential nutrients and a healthy variation is a reduced calorie one. Keep a food diary and jot down everything you eat and the calorie content in a running total. For women, the recommended daily intake is just 2,000 calories, but you should aim to consume 1500 if you seriously want to lose some weight. This is a great resolution for making more dedicated and healthy changes and you can increase back up to 2,000 to maintain once you have reached your weight loss goal.

10. Thou Shalt Pamper
This might seem like a surprising one, but taking time out even just three times a year to treat yourself and your skin can do the world of good. Why not cut out on boozy weekends and instead save up for mini spa breaks with a friend or loved one? After all, taking time out to properly relax and indulge in a positive way can really be the most beneficial lifestyle change of all.