Look your best on New Year’s Eve with these 9 fitness tips

New Year’s Eve is around the corner, and, overhyped or not it is that one night the whole world comes out to celebrate. Out come the dresses and the well-fitted shirts with everyone trying to look their best. And, admit it, most of us haven’t quite managed to achieve (or just long forgotten) a single one of last year’s new year resolutions. 

As far as your resolution is concerned, I’m afraid you’re on your own. But I can suggest a couple of things to do between now and the big night that may help you look and feel that extra bit better.

If you made a resolution last year to lose weight and didn’t quite manage to get there, there’s still a little bit of time, so you don’t have to give up and try again next year. I don’t believe in achieving instant results and, let’s face it, no miracles can be expected in the short time available on hand. However, achieving something is better than achieving nothing at all. And you will not get a whole year’s worth of results in a month, but if you make good progress in this short time, you will hopefully be motivated enough to ensure the coming year you are kind to yourself and your health. With this new approach, achieving your ultimate goal for the following New Year bash will surely be more realistic. (Read: Lose weight before Christmas with these food habits)

While the right make-up and a fabulous hairdo have the power to make us feel our prettiest, we need a good starting base first. With just four weeks left for the big night, here’s a few photo finish tips to help you achieve your short-term goal:

Sweat a bucket: Walk, swim, hit the gym or pretend to train for the marathon even if you never intend on competing in the big race, it can give you a great calorie burn.

Step it up: Every step taken will help you keep in shape. So push yourself more and make the effort to take the stairs instead of the lift. Walk the dog yourself a few times a week instead of getting your staff to do it. Walk to the car instead of having the driver bring the car to you. It doesn’t matter where you are but the more you’re mobile the better for your health and figure.

Candy Crushed: Along with fun and merriment the festive season brings a whole load of temptation. Post Diwali and pre-Christmas is a tricky time with so many parties and weddings and desserts and cocktails to indulge in. Curb those candy cravings and instead chew on some gum or aniseed.

Water Baby: Water is great for overall health and fitness but the trick is to drink it voluntarily and not just when you’re thirsty. When hunger pangs creep up a handy solution is to drink a glass of water instead and help curb it. A splash of lime will give you the extra Vitamin C and a bit of zing.

Vital vitamins: Fruit and vegetables can give you a great glow, when used inside and out. Your skin needs to be nourished from inside to look radiant from outside. So help yourself to an extra serving of citrus fruit, vegetable juices and salads. And of course, try some home spa remedies like a mixture of mashed banana, apples and orange zest or a sugar-lime exfoliation (don’t eat, just apply!). You’ll be surprised how it will give you a smooth fresh look.

Alcohol alert: Watch your alcohol intake for the next few weeks, so you can enjoy the main event looking the best you can.

Home-cooked goodness: Home-cooked food always works. Fresh ingredients, no chemicals, controlled oil equal fewer pointless calories and is the best way to manage your diet and help get you into shape. Eat dinner at home at a reasonable time before you go to that wedding reception with an unhealthy mass-catered buffet dinner served at 11 pm.

Partner up: You will be more successful in your efforts if you have a partner to work with. Work out with your partner and also keep tabs on each other. Just knowing that you need to answer to someone else (and the chance to do better than another person) is often enough to keep you motivated.

Visual Aids: Why restrict yourself to a real, live partner? An inanimate object can be a great help too. So if there’s a particular dress that you want to fit into for the bash, keep it hanging out so that you see it 10 times a day. You will be surprised how much of a motivation that is.

It’s going to be party time before you know it. With some thought and planning into getting fitter, you will be prepared to look your absolute best so that you can enjoy the night to its fullest. After all the hard work, you will enjoy it even more! (Read: 10 ways to look beautiful naturally this festive season)

Source: DNA/Kinita Kadakia Patel

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