Last posted: Tuesday 10 January 2006 15:59 SO we have reached that milestone yet again - another new year and another set of new year resolutions.

By far the most popular one has to be the one that compels us to start the new year with a new you.

And for many of us that new you must be fitter, thinner and better looking than ever.

There are plenty of ways to improve health and fitness including joining a gym, taking more exercise and making time for yourself.

Detoxing is the latest buzz word. It conjures up pictures of a fresher, healthier body and a refreshed mind ready to take on the world.

There are plenty of detoxing methods available. Some are as simple as a glass of ginger tea to help flush out your system and revitalise your mind and body and others far more elaborate and costly.

You can buy tablets to detox, herbal remedies to improve digestion and preparations to paint on to the body to flush out toxins.

But to detox properly, holistic and natural beauty therapist Gita Mistry, who runs Rejuvin8, based in Breightmet, believes the whole body, mind and soul must be worked on.

She has what she believes is the ideal solution for reviving a sluggish system after the excesses of the festive season.

Gita offers a range of treatments to help promote inner and outer health. 'Beauty comes from within and you have to treat the inside as well as the outside,' she said.

One of Gita's pampering and detoxifying warm oil full body massages will help you relax and is the perfect antidote to over-eating and too much alcohol consumption over the Christmas and New Year period.

Gita's wide range of services is carried out in the comfort of her own home - in a specially adapted beauty studio. She gained much of her knowledge from the well-known holistic therapist Bharti Vyas and her massages are very different to the ordinary massages you may have been used to, but very relaxing and effective.

Being stress-free, or as stress-free as possible, is an ideal start to better health and Gita offers a range of services, including Indian head massage, to help achieve a more relaxed frame of mind. Her Indian head massage includes oils and clients have been known to fall asleep during her treatments.

The new year is a great time to get into new habits. Start to drink 1.5 litres of water a day, eat five portions of fruit and vegetables and eat more oily fish, including sardines, mackerel, fresh tuna and salmon - at least once or twice a week.

You could drink fresh juices as a mid-afternoon pick-up, rather than coffee and try a vegetarian meal two or three times a week.

On the food front it's a good idea to clear out any leftover Christmas food, including mince pies and chocolate.

Try replacing fatty, salty and sugary food with healthier options.

Detoxing doesn't have to simply apply to your body though - a lifestyle detox can be just as therapeutic for the mind.

It's vital to take time to relax. A great idea is to take out your 2006 diary and mark in it 'time-out'. It could be an hour a day, a day a week, or a weekend when you are going to spend time pampering yourself.

Try to organise yourself better this year. Some things are best dealt with daily, including emails, the post and bills. Once you have sorted these things out you will feel your sense of control returning.

Learning to prioritise is vital. Spend a couple of minutes each day allotting a number to each task to help decide what you need to focus on and what can be left out or dispensed with altogether.

Gita Mistry is available on Bolton 07818 073217.