However, there is an upside for you, men. Your time is your own and you can catch up on work without feeling guilty about spending long hours in the office. For busy men working long and sometimes stressful hours, this can be bonus time. Without the routine of school runs, it is what I call “Bloke Alone” time: you only have yourself to think about without any interruptions.

It is an ideal time to put yourself first and start looking after your health properly. During the busy year, stress levels can build up; so, it is good to have a few weeks to yourself. Take this time to reflect on the year and look at what you have achieved and where you want to move onto in the next year.

You can now look at having a new routine that revolves around you rather than the family. Very often taking care of your health has been the last priority, but you can use this time to put it first. With the family away, you can make a real different to your health and fitness levels in just four weeks.Follow this action plan and be a new man!
 

Start by thinking about nutrition. Make sure you don’t exist on takeaway junk food and big lunches.

There is a great temptation to buy takeaway and eat out; however, this will cause you to put on weight. Instead, buy fresh fruits and vegetables, but don’t get more than a couple of days’ stock at a time since even fresh food in the Gulf loses its nutritional value very quickly. For a copy of my healthy eating plan e-mail me at [email protected].

Start your day well

Start the day with a glass of 100% pure orange or grapefruit juice. Squeeze it yourself!

Have a banana on whole meal toast for breakfast or put a chopped banana on your cereal with plain yogurt and milk.

Drink lots of water. Start the day with a glass of water and build up to drinking 2-1/2 liters a day.

Remember, drinking more water = less water retention. Also, when your body gets the water it needs you feel less tired and your skin looks healthier.

Of course, with all this healthy eating, you will have the energy for exercise!

Exercise

If you haven’t exercised for ages, try to start some exercise for 30 minutes, three times a week and make it part of your routine. If your habit is to drive home and sit down in front of the television and order takeaway, change it and plan to stop and do your exercise on the journey home. By making that switch, you will arrive home relaxed and feeling good and ready to cook a simple evening meal.

If you aren’t a member of a gym, now is the time to sign up for the summer. Gyms and pools can be quiet during the summer.

Remember, exercise will not only tone your body, but it’s also good for your heart and is a great stress buster.

Gentlemen, you are under starter’s orders! Cut out this article and highlight the resolutions that apply to you. In four weeks from now you will be able to stride out confidently as new men! For more tips on healthy living sign up to my monthly newsletter by sending an e-mail to [email protected].
 

I cannot study without eating chips and drinking cola. I really feel I need them to keep me awake and help me concentrate. I enjoy studying, but I have put on loads of weight.

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I understand your problem because I used to feel I needed a cup of coffee when writing my column as I felt it helped me concentrate, but it’s not true. I can write equally well with a glass of water, or nothing, and so can you. This is just something you have told yourself to make studying easier; these are habits that can be broken. It’s just a matter of making a quality decision, then forming a new habit. Instead, try saying: I will only have fruit and water while I study. Buy some really nice colorful fruits to keep at your desk. Keep up the studying and you will have a great future.