2. Flip the resolutions
With the New Year comes many a resolution. But Lim offers a unique approach to the age-old tradition. "It is time to focus on I WILL rather than I WON'T," she advises. "Most resolutions need to be completely flipped."
She believes it is far more productive to think about the habits that will help you achieve your goals. "Rather than 'I won't eat anything from the vending machine', try 'I WILL eat fruit when I am hungry in-between meals'." Be more positive with your resolutions.
"Instead of 'I will lose five kilos' which has no plan, try 'I will be active three times per week' or 'I will drink a green smoothie every day'.
These statements equate to behaviour choices and habits that will contribute to your success rather than being lofty and nonspecific, says Lim.
And there's no need to hold off till new year. "If you want to wear sunscreen every day or drink more water, start today."
3. Forget the regrets
Got regrets? We all do - but spending time agonising over them is far from productive, says Lim. "If only Carlos and I had a dollar for every time we've said 'If only we had known'. By all means, learn from the past, but remember, life isn't meant to be perfect. Rather celebrate the things that went well and what you achieved; just acknowledging a small win with a glass of wine can be so satisfying."
What can be productive is to check back on the past as a measure of progress. "We keep our previous goals on big pieces of A3 paper. We love looking back on those from years before to see how far we have come...and also to make sure we haven't missed off anything important!"
4. Do less of this in 2016 (and always)
This is an easy one for Lim - and something almost every New Zealander can identify with. "Less screen time," is her immediate answer.
5. And more of this
Spending too much time on smartphones and Facebook is notorious for stealing precious hours of rest; Lim's simple advice is to get some good sleep. "We should all do more of it. People underestimate just how much sleep affects every part of your life."
She advises a good bed and quality time in it. "Consider your bed, think about how many hours you're getting and the quality of your sleep, too. What you eat and drink can have a huge impact, particularly too much caffeine and alcohol. You might not notice it, but these things can prevent you from reaching deep sleep, leaving you waking up unrefreshed and exhausted."
Moderation and not elimination is the key, Lim stresses. "I will only have a small coffee first thing and never after midday."
Getting more sleep can be easier said than done (parents will understand that!). "Draw a line in the sand and stick to it," she says. "Set a bedtime and switch off the TVs and the gadgets. And as they say, an hours sleep before midnight is worth 2 hours after."
6. Be active (more often and everywhere)
For wellbeing, exercise is a fundamental complement to great food - but you don't have to be a hamster on a wheel. "Gyms are just not my thing. I much prefer the sustainable approach of incidental activity. Build small amounts of activity throughout your day and it becomes a lifelong habit. Choose the active way - take the stairs, park further away, walk to the shops and feel great about it."
Exercise can be natural and integral to daily life. "It doesn't have to be a chore; rather than sitting and discussing your day, take a walk with your partner. Tie in a phone call with a stroll; go up the hills instead of sticking to the flats. Eventually, this becomes second nature."
7. Value experience (it's more important than things)
There's always a tendency in the holiday season to splash out on the "latest greatest" accessories and items. Lim's advice is simple: "Things don't make you happy. Experiences and memories do. For my 30th birthday I am going camping. I can't wait to just get away, attempt to catch some fish and then cook it using only simple outdoor equipment." Back to basics can be so rewarding and New Zealand is built for it.
8. Reconnect with nature (and find yourself)
One of the key challenges which besets modern living is being far too engrossed in the daily grind. "We get so caught up in our lifestyles that we forget how good for the soul it can be to connect with nature," says Lim.
Simple things can deliver lasting pleasures, she adds. "Grow a herb pot, camp out under the stars, take a bush walk or stroll barefoot through the park. It feels great to get outside."
9. Accept change (and make the most of it)
There is some irony in the constant of change contrasted with our innate resistance to it.
For Lim, accepting change means accepting adventure - and as she and Carlos get ready to welcome a baby in April, big developments are afoot.
"2016 is set to be a huge change for us. I love being hands on in my work and while I will never hand that over entirely, I will need to get better at delegating. Accept change and also realise you cannot do everything," she concludes.
- nzherald.co.nz