Page updated: 21 Jan 2010
New Year's resolutions
Whatever your health-related New Year's resolution may be for 2010, NHS Trafford can help. Our teams provide a range of specialist services and can give you practical advice and support on coping with a range of lifestlye changes, whether they be quitting smoking or getting more exercise.
I want to lose weight
Losing weight is about making a change in your lifestyle. Fad diets may have the desired effect for a few weeks or months, but you may find that once you finish the diet the weight creeps back on. The simplest way is to change your eating and exercise habits - if you eat fewer calories and burn more off through exercise you will start to see a change.
Visit the Go3Trafford website for tips on where you can find exercise classes in Trafford. It's easy to build exercise into your daily routine - you can try cycling or walking to work or to the train station, or just try and make time on your lunch hour for a brisk walk around the block.
I want to drink less alcohol
Cutting back on your alcohol intake can make a big difference to your health. Your liver is the only organ that can regenerate itself (but only if it isn't already too badly damaged). Sticking within the recommended limits of 21 units a week for men and 14 units a week for women, and having three alcohol-free days a week, can help your liver repair any damage.
Why not keep a drink diary for a few weeks - you will probably be surprised at how much you drink. Click here to download one and find details of how many units are in certain drinks.
If you are struggling to cut back on your drinking, make an appointment to see your GP. He or she can help you take the first steps and then refer you on to specialists if you would like.
I want to give up smoking
Your GP and pharmacist are just two of the people who can help you quit smoking. Trafford GP surgeries have dedicated stop smoking advisors, usually a nurse or healthcare assistant, who can help you quit. You can also pop in to see your pharmacist who can help you and provide nicotine replacement therapy products.
At NHS Trafford we also have a team of specialist smoking cessation advisors who can help people who are struggling to kick the habit.
For more information, visit the stop smoking page on this website.
I want to eat more healthily
It is easier than you think to make sure you eat your five portions of fruit and vegetables a day. Websites like Change4Life can provide simple, cheap and healthy recipes that make a change from your usual diet.
It is also important to eat oily fish like salmon or mackerel two or three times a week, and to keep your intake of fatty foots to a minimum. We do need some fat in our diets, but you should check food labels to make sure that levels of saturated 'bad' fats are low.
Limiting your salt intake is also important when it comes to eating healthily. Ready meals and other pre-packed foods often contain high sodium levels. If you cook food yourself you can be sure of exactly how much salt is in your food. If you tend to add salt to make food more flavoursome, try using spices and herbs instead.
I want to exercise more
Trafford's Go3 campaign is trying to help everyone in the borough exercise three times a week. The website can help you find new ways of exercising - building three brisk, 10-minute walks into your day can be much easier than finding an hour to go to the gym, for example.
Don't discount your local leisure centre, either. Trafford's centres offer activities including swimming, badminton, golf and five-a-side football. You can find your nearest by clicking here.