It's a new year - and with that, another opportunity to start the year off with new vigor! The question for each of us to ask ourselves is this:

If I could change one thing about myself this year, what would it be?

There are so many things which we can do to have happier, healthier and more fulfilled lives! It's actually incredibly easy to make changes - so long as we make one change at a time, and that we are really committed to that one change.

• Get fitter: start doing something physically active which you really enjoy. Take it easy to start out with - take care not to push too hard. Getting out and doing a little daily, is more significant than launching out to a big fitmess programme you can't sustain.
• Take some care about what you eat. It's proven - healthy food, in healthy quantities, keeps you healthier! Treats are just fine now and again - it's the day-to-day eating which makes the difference. Many New Zealanders are just slowly putting on weight at a rate of 1 kg a year - that's just under 3 grams - about the equivalent of one potato chip a day!
• There are many ways to make yourself happier but here's one : do something for someone else - random acts of kindness are good for you (and everyone else).
• Think about what you want in your life, not what you don't want. You may not always reach you ultimate goals, but you'll get much, much closer than if you have no direction at all.
• Just do it - now! There's nothing like putting things off to never get to where you want to go. Start you're new change today - right now! Getting started is often the hardest part of all. Just get out - and do it.

Have a wonderful, healthy, fulfilled 2009

Annette Milligan