What New Year’s resolutions do you want to make?

December 31, 2011   ·   0 Comments

Have you ever thought about what kinds of New Year’s resolutions
you want to make for yourself to improve your health and wellness,
your lifestyle or personal relationships? Here are some suggestions
you might want consider.

Lose weight to improve your health. It is a great idea to make a
resolution to do so. You can go on a diet by eating a variety of foods
that have less fats and cholesterol like poultry, fish, fruits and fresh
vegetables for better weight control. Yet it is easier said than done
for most of us. Successful dieters need incentives to stick to a
regimented diet. One way is to learn to read food labels to see the
favorable or not so favorable; ingredients that are in some of the
packaged foods you eat.

Exercise more by walking or by training at your condo, home or gym.
Several ways to learn about the right exercises is to read books on
exercising, review workout vie3os o seek out a professional trainer’s
advice. Medical specialists say you should also drink at least eight
glasses of water a day, and cut back on drinking alcohol or smoking

Be more optimistic abo9ut life. You should work to develop positive
feelings about other people and let them know it. One example is to
be the first to simply say, “Hello,” to others. Or compliment at least
two people a day on good deeds they have done.

Build a network with other people in your community. Make a
resolution to attend more community events. You can exchange
views on doing things differently or the same way.

Consider a resolution to live simpler, quieter life in order to
relieve tensions. Thank about a resolution to act on all matters
enthusiastically, by eliminating negative thoughts. One way is to
not waste your time getting even with others who try to hurt you
emotionally. Instead, get even with people who have helped you

bodying thins back for them, in return for their favorable past support.

Make a resolution to laugh more, read more, listen more and say
less. My friend Charlie, a retired Highland Beach resident, made a
similar resolution that added in hugging more, loving more and even
crying more. He joined a local self-help group to discuss problems
that he goes through each day. By meeting more people with similar
interests, he has learned to satisfactorily cope wit his problems. It
is still working for him and it can work for you, too. Charlie’s extra
New Year’s resolution for this coming year is to give his condo a good
safety inspection, for his own protection against injuries in the home.

And remember, be more organized. A great resolution would be to
learn how to manage your time better, by making a daily list of things
to do, in the order of importance on the things you need to do. Even
a resolution to communicate better, to both friends and relatives, is a
good idea tat will help you reach you New Year’s goals next year.

Get those resolutions started for the New Year now.

Bernard Featherman is a columnist for the Boca Raton Tribune and is
also the mayor of Highland Beach.

By aheizer