Some inspiration for those healthy resolutions

As we clean up after New Year’s Eve, our thoughts often turn to healthy resolutions

The living room floor has started to accumulate worrying numbers of pine needles; the last of the turkey trimmings have long gone; and the recycling bin is filled with more wine and beer bottles than usual. Christmas is over, and the New Year is upon us.

No doubt many of us over-indulged with one too many mince pies, mulled wines or servings of stilton. And other than eating and drinking, the main activity over the festive period was likely to have been playing couch potato around the Christmas tree.

But a new year means a new you, right? For many people, January is traditionally when they think about getting healthier. And we have our own important tradition on the Science Update Blog – each year we try to think of ways to help you reach your healthy living goals.

The stakes are high – more than four in ten cancers could be prevented by lifestyle changes such as not smoking, keeping a healthy body weight and cutting back on alcohol.

Making healthier living choices isn’t about going on a post-Christmas crash diet though – it’s about making sustainable changes for the long run. Last year, we launched our lifestyle assessment widget, which gives personalised advice on how to live healthier.

This year we’ve spoken to people who’ve managed to make positive, healthy lifestyle choices. If you’re thinking of changing your lifestyle for the better, then watching these videos of like-minded people could be just the motivation you need.

• Meet Jeff, a lorry driver from Portsmouth who lost 5 and a half stone by being creative about eating healthily and keeping active while out on the road:

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eih8m4P1IZU]

• Meet Maria, who cut down on alcohol and gained a new-found confidence:

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T1b6KajJNQg]

• Meet Mark, who used to wake up coughing and spluttering, but has found a new lease of life since giving up smoking:

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LBE4prAGb0g]

• Meet Emilie, who smoked since she was at school, but finally managed to kick the habit 18 months ago:

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UIXDzOtqAS4]