It's a new year: a time for fresh beginnings and the opportunity transform yourself, from revamping your image to giving your emotional wellbeing, finances or your lifestyle a makeover. Four experts share their top tips to set you on a new path. Give it a try! What do you have to lose but a few kilograms and some bad debt?
Makeover 1: Revamp your LIFE
Performance consultant and Professional Consciousness Coach Brenda van Straaten works with clients to help them reach their full potential, whether it is writing a book or excelling in their career.
"Through weekly sessions I help clients overcome obstacles and improve relationships with themselves and others. Through powerful – sometimes difficult – questioning, clients find their own answers to how they can handle things differently and attain desired outcomes. Clients often find it difficult to confront themselves but eventually come to understand more about their behaviour. This process builds good self-esteem through attaining goals and as they become more confident they move beyond their comfort zones. With this confidence comes the realisation that the only limits are the ones we set ourselves.
Brenda's top tips:
- List who you’d have to be, what you would have to do and what you would have to have to achieve your goals.
- Verbally state your commitment to yourself.
- Put a plan in place, with dates!
Makeover 2: Revamp your IMAGE
Image consultant Catherine Bowen
“Most of my clients have either just had a baby, have lost a significant amount of weight or have reached an age where they're not sure what suits their shape. I use my knowledge of colours, styles and various body shapes to communicate and enhance a client's strengths and help their personalities shine through. It's incredible how adding a burst of the right colour brings about a new energy, cheerfulness and warmth.
I introduce knowledge on how to choose the correct fabrics, fit and style – and which to avoid – to help ooze a newfound confidence. Having the ability to dress the way you want improves self-esteem, boosts confidence and puts the fun back into shopping.
Catherine's top tips:
- Find pictures and inspiration for the image you want to project.
- Organise your wardrobe according to function, colour spectrum, and styles.
- Every woman needs a va-va-voom dress!
Makeover 3: Revamp your DIET
Registered nutrition and dietetics consultant Megan Pentz-Kluyts helps her clients achieve a healthier lifestyle.
“Whether you’d like to reach your optimum weight or are dealing with a health ailment like high cholesterol or iron deficiency, a balanced diet is key. For achieving an ideal goal weight while ensuring my clients get all the necessary nutrients, I advise they eat low-fat and low glycaemic index food, eating regular small meals. Together with regular moderate exercise, this helps with weight loss, boosts good cholesterol and helps with low iron levels. Emphasis is placed on portion size.
I often have to teach my clients that starving themselves won’t not aid weight loss. Instead I advise, that they eat more fruit to maintain blood sugar levels and to avoid becoming lethargic between meals.
Megan’s top tips:
- Incorporate two healthy, portable snacks into your eating plan.
- Eat every meal at a table, without the TV or computer as distractions.
- All foods can fit into a healthy lifestyle.
Makeover 4: Revamp your FINANCES
Iona Minton, a financial education consultant and trainer
“Times are tough, and now more than ever it is incredibly difficult to stay financially buoyant. The high cost of living, a divorce or trying to keep up with the Joneses all put pressure on your finances. The most important step to taking control of your finances is to draw up a budget – and stick to it. Ask yourself: do you really need that morning cappuccino? With a little tweaking and discipline, it is possible to take control. By cutting out impulse purchases and carefully considering money spent, you’ll be amazed at how much you can save and plough back into your bond or credit card, for instance. Peace of mind is an incredible motivator, and it will impact on other aspects of your life too – you can’t be productive and happy if you’re constantly worrying about your finances. Practicing restraint will ensure you reach your goals faster.
Iona’s top tips:
- List what you spend.
- Pay off the smallest debt first.
- Draw the exact amount of cash you need.