Fitness habits to start before 2027, Digi Mart USA News: With more than 10 per cent of 2026 still remaining, Independent columnist Harry Bullmore argues that people should not wait for January to begin improving their fitness. He writes that a few basic healthy behaviours could produce meaningful progress in the six-plus weeks left of the year.
Bullmore describes a “5:2 workout plan” that involves two active days a week, using strength training sessions lasting 20 minutes or less, with normal activity on the other five days. He cites Dr Brad Schoenfeld, a professor of exercise science at Lehman College in New York, who said that after six weeks people will likely see improvements in strength, muscle growth and body changes from two weekly full-body strength workouts.
The column also points to research finding that a four-minute daily workout improved strength, mobility, balance and factors linked to quality of life in people over 65. Bullmore’s suggested routine is to move daily and challenge the body in some way twice a week.
On nutrition, Bullmore highlights the “displacement effect” promoted by personal trainer and author Ben Carpenter, which encourages eating more fruit, vegetables, lean protein, wholegrains and other wholefoods. The idea is that appetite is limited, so nutritious foods may reduce the urge to snack on crisps or chocolate.
He also recommends drinking water early in the day, quoting coach Ed Haynes, who said adequate hydration relative to bodyweight and activity levels can reduce inflammation and pain.
Bullmore also suggests gaining a few extra minutes of sleep each night, either by going to bed earlier or waking slightly later, to support recovery. He concludes that consistently doing these four things for the rest of the year could leave readers feeling better than they do now.
The article is an opinion-style lifestyle column and is not independently verified.
