Are you struggling with your plans for a lifestyle change in 2013 already? Stop being so hard on yourself! We’ve paired up with Special K to bring you some great advice. Paula Mee is a top nutritionist familiar to Irish TV viewers from her time on The Health Squad and regular appearances on The Afternoon Show.

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Tasty, lighter foods, more exercise and less alcohol are the focus of many at the beginning of each New Year.

To boost motivation, take time to think about the results that will follow too - like improved sleep, increased energy, a faster metabolism, better digestion, rejuvenated skin and maybe even a bit of weight loss!

You are more than what you eat so support the process of change. Concentrate on getting to bed early at least two nights of the week if you can, take a yoga class, treat yourself to a massage or sauna, try dry skin brushing or use milk thistle to help stimulate the liver (just a few drops in a glass of water is enough).

We need to get rid of the word ‘diet’ too! It has many negative associations - think ‘lifestyle change’ instead. Do remember too that it’s what you eat most of the time that counts, so don’t worry about an occasional slip up when you’re trying to build new habits and scupper the old ones.

Making many small adjustments can add up to a meaningful weight loss. Having a low fat breakfast cereal with milk or yoghurt instead of that roll and two sausages in the canteen is a significant start! Peel two Satsumas or any fruit of your choice, this will provide a better energy boost than chocolate snack bars or even plain biscuits with your mid-morning cup of tea. Improve your intake of plant-proteins like bean salads or lentil soups at lunch time, as this can keep you more satisfied and more alert in the afternoon. Enjoy a handful of wasabi peas or Edamame beans as an afternoon snack instead of sugary carbs, and fill half of your dinner plate with fresh seasonal vegetables instead of with processed carbs. These simple changes can all help improve your vitamin and mineral intake as well as reduce calorie intake.

The challenge for all of us is to make small sustainable dietary changes, stay physically active, and keep enjoying life! 

The Bright Side with Kellogg’s Special K – What will you gain?