Health comes top in the first MTT poll of '24!

Festivities are over, the year has well-and-truly begun and the results of the MTT LinkedIn poll are in! And guess what? A whopping 53% of you chose "healthier" as your top goal for 2024. While "wealthier" and "wiser" options secured respectable votes, it's clear that physical and mental well-being are taking centre-stage in how you face up to the New Year.

But Why Health?

Is this a collective wake-up call after the holiday cookie blitz? Or a strategic pivot towards sustainable well-being? Perhaps both! And perhaps it was the pandemic that served as a stark reminder that health is the ultimate wealth and a clear, nourished mind is the fertile ground for abundance and then some.

More than just the gym and "what others do"

So how about "healthy" as not just a resolution, more as a metaphor for thriving? It's about doing the right thing with balanced meals, conquering stress with mindful moves, and sleeping soundly to unlock the actual, real-life, doggone you. Why not just ditch all the angst-y "must try harder" and instead embrace a personalised groove?

3 tips for turning "healthier" into reality

1. Ditch the All-or-Nothing Mindset: Small, sustainable changes trump radical overhauls. Swap the grabbed-in-a-second pastries for a homemade breakfast smoothie or (my favourite) a power breakfast of fruit, yoghurt, oats and honey, take the stairs instead of the lift and get your 10,000 steps in. In nature! Little steps, big difference - "Kidogo kidogo hujaza kibaba," as they say in Swahili (useful if you're conquering Kilimanjaro).

2. Listen to Your Body, Not Trends: Forget the latest fitness fads (sorry, Instagram!). Explore yoga, pilates, mindfulness or a wholesome early routine - The Miracle Morning, perhaps? - climb up a hill or two if you crave a challenge, or simply have a damned good boogie. Movement that sparks joy, yes?

3. Connect with Your Community: Ask a friend to join you, join online wellness groups, or share the wonders of BBC Good Food with colleagues. Support and inspiration fuel progress, so surround yourself with like-minded groovers.

This Journey Ain't Over Yet!

Remember that "healthier" isn't a destination, it's a journey. To embrace. And let's make more from '24 and get closer to the person we deserve to be!

And if you're not into New Year Resolutions?

If you're in that 21% category, then why not consider another kind of resolution?

Over to you

What's your secret weapon for a healthier, happier you? Share your tips and tricks in the comments below!