Experts weigh in on New Year's resolutions

by Sandra Miller
Beacon Hill Times, Back Bay Sun

According to USA.gov, the most popular New Year’s resolutions include Lose Weight, Get Out of Debt, Save Money, Get a Better Job, and Quit Smoking. We pick the start of a new year to get a fresh start on a nagging problem or habit, and about 50 percent of us are still working on our resolution a few months later.
While many of us resolve to improve relationships, balance a budget, or organize the attic, good health should be the top priority. Forget about fitting into a size 4; if your BMI is outside of normal, you’re at risk of many health problems.
Weight loss is also the lifeblood of authors, inventors, marketers, and salespeople. Look at the Sunday flyers, and they’re all filled with sales on exercise equipment, books on self-improvement, and diet food. Do you know ANYONE who doesn’t want to lose 10 pounds?
Aside from saying it out loud and eating a lot of salads, making a successful resolution to lose weight requires some mental exercise as well.
Many experts tell you to think about what worked and what didn’t in 2008, to come up with a game plan for this year. Envision your goal, then break it down into steps, to assemble all the things you need or each step that is needed to lead up to your goal.
Identify roadblocks to this goal. Think about your goal and yur progress before you go to sleep, to program your subconscious mind.
Helena Collins, who owns the Life in Synergy studio on Boylston Street, has been in the fitness industry for more than 20 years, and knows what works and what doesn’t.

• Begin on a Saturday. “We always begin our new fitness regimens on a Monday, when you do this it feels like work!” said Collins. “Not very fun. When you begin on a Saturday it will feel more like time for yourself.”

• Make it social. Start your workouts with a friend. “Think of it as a fun time to catch up,” she said.

• Learn something new. Try a class in something that you have never done before, Dance, Yoga or a Martial Art.

• Try a new vegetable each week. “Instead of dieting, buy a cookbook for vegetables and create,” said Collins. “You will be eating better and flexing your culinary skills.”

• Take up a new sport. “Snowshoeing or cross-country skiing are excellent exercise but being out in our winter wonderland is pure vacation!”

• Make small changes. Lose over 10 pounds in a year just by eliminating one soda a day and replacing it with water.

• Look for fitness opportunities. “Having a bad day at work? Instead of going for the cookie, go for a brisk walk,” said Collins. “You will feel better, release stress and stay on track.”

• Remember your youth. Join a basketball, bowling or volleyball league. “Think of it as going to gym class a few times a week without the need for the uniform.”

• Outsource. Hire a professional trainer. “Think of it as getting your Masters for your body,” said Collins.

• Have fun. Find new ways to move and groove, new things to learn, new places to go. “Life is an adventure,” said Collins. “Make your workouts one too, and enjoy.”