I’m a bit of a “good girl” when it comes to getting all the health checks done you’re supposed to get.

I’m not saying I like having them done; just that I do go get them done.

I had my annual gynae check-up last month as I find it easy to schedule it in the month of my birthday.

I also had a mole looked at that my massage therapist thought I should get checked out.

Have you had these health checks done this year yet?

• Dentist
• Optometrist (especially if you already wear glasses)
• Gynae
• Mammogram (if over 40)
• Pap smear
• Cholesterol
• Blood pressure

Did you know heart disease is called the silent killer in women? People think breast cancer’s the number 1 killer; it’s actually heart disease.

Now for a quick organising tip

1. buy one of those tiny month at a glance daily planners when they go on special during the first few weeks of January (I get mine at Exclusive Books or a Christian bookstore for about R20)
2. use this daily planner for the SOLE purpose of keeping track of your monthly cycles and any other health-related information
3. take this planner with you for any health checks and when the doctor asks you those questions you can never remember, all you do is haul it out and page through to get your information

(I love the look on their faces when I take my little planner out of my handbag and have all the information literally at my fingertips)

How are you doing on all your health checks?

Did you know what the two New Year’s Resolutions/ goals are that are on almost everyone’s lists?

1. Lose weight
2. Get organised

Judging from the parking lot at the gym, number one is a whole lot more popular at the moment

It also happens to be one of my goals for the year. Granted, I don’t have a huge amount to lost but I am small-framed so every kilo shows quickly.

There are a couple of things I’m doing that seem to be working for me and I thought I’d also share them with you:

1. Decide on an exercise programme ahead of time

I also like a bit of “go with the flow” spontaneity but that just doesn’t go with a weight loss regime.

I checked the gym’s schedule of classes (I only do group workouts) and decided which ones I’d do every week.

One less reason to procrastinate exercising.

2. Make yourself accountable to as many people as possible

I’ve told everyone in my team at work that I intend going to the gym every Monday and Wednesday and that they have the right to check in with me every Tuesday and Thursday to see if I’ve been.

Also, at the end of each class, I tell a couple of the regulars, “see you on Wednesday” so that there’s additional accountability.

3. Set yourself up for success

When I get home from work I change out of my work clothes and straight into my gym clothes. I’ve found that when I’m dressed the part I’m less likely to try and skip the workout.

4. Organise your eating

Every week I decide in advance what I’ll have for breakfast, lunch and supper so I’m less likely to snack on just anything.

I’m by no means perfect but I know I eat a lot less of the wrong foods by planning my meals.

5. Pack your “out of the house” food

It’s good to know what you’re going to eat as in number 4 but when you’re starving and it’ll take 30 minutes to find a healthy meal, you’re more likely to simply grab a bag of crisps and a Coke.

Again, I pre-pack cereals, etc. for the entire week and every night while preparing supper, I empty out my lunch bag and repack with food for the following day.

So far so good.

I’ve only been doing this for two weeks this year but from previous years’ experience, I know this system works well for me.

The one thing I need to stop doing is…

Buying chocolate. I keep saying I’ll only have one little block but so far that’s not working so no more!

What do you do to set yourself up for success with your weight loss and fitness goals? And what do you need to stop doing?

We all know that we need to drink more water but it can be really difficult at times, especially when it’s cold (like it is here in SA now).

But why should you drink water anyway?

1. Clearer, more moisturised skin
2. More energy and vitality
3. Cleans impurities from our systems
4. Flushing out of fatty acids (essential for any weight loss programme). We also tend to mistake hunger for thirst!
5. Proper metabolic functioning of body organs and processes
6. Better brain function
7. Less headaches

So some of my tips to make drinking water easier:

1. Make it a goal to drink at least 6 glasses a day, preferably 8. I know 6 is non-negotiable.
2. Fill a bottle early in the morning and again after lunch, and make sure you get through all of it.
3. Exercise – it will be no problem to drink more when your heart is pumping and you’re hot.
4. Have a glass with breakfast, lunch and supper, and then another glass before you have your tea, coffee or Coke (whatever your drink of choice is).
5. Have a slice of lemon or orange in your water, if you want to live on the wild side
6. Drink your water in a glass with a straw. Somehow it makes us think that we’re drinking something fun and you’ll see how easily you drink your water.

These things must be working for me since I’ve been drinking 2L water daily since 1998 (it was my goal that year).

How much water do you currently drink daily and what are your tips?