Legions consider the new year the perfect kick-start for change in their lives. Having a fresh 365 days gives ample room to do something radical. But planning is easier than following through. How many New Year's resolutions have been aglow with promise, then fallen by the wayside as life takes over and excuses are made? Don't let this happen to you in 2010. Here's some advice from local experts who'd like to see you achieve your goals.
Be more frugal
Three years ago, Carrie Rocha and her husband were $50,000 in debt when they decided to do something about it. By changing their spending habits and clipping coupons, they emerged debt-free and saved enough to fall back upon in times of financial stress. Rocha, who runs the website Pocket Your Dollars (www.pocketyourdollars.com), shared her best advice:
1. Be pragmatic. "Don't do everything at once," she said. Start with groceries and focusing on the 10 items you buy most frequently. Compare their prices at local stores, then watch weekly fliers for sales on these items.
2. Get honest. "If you need to modify your behavior, know you can do something radical in the short term to bring about a change, then go back to moderation." Rocha and her husband, who enjoyed going out to eat, completely froze that habit for a month.
3. Change your attitude. "People develop attitudes like, 'I deserve a treat.' You don't!" Rocha said. Another attitude to stay away from?
"If only I made more money!" It's not how much you make; it's how much you keep.
4. Change your vocabulary. Rocha changed the word "budget" to the more flexible "spending plan" and eliminated the phrase "I can't afford it."
5. Don't be ashamed not to pay full price. Consider the return on the time investment. "I spend 30 minutes clipping and save $200. It's worth it!"
6. Follow websites that spotlight local deals.
Quit smoking
Although everyone knows smoking is bad for you, stopping isn't easy. Luckily, many programs in the Twin Cities are dedicated to helping you.
QuitPlan (www.quitplan.com; 1-888-354-7526) was established during the 1998 tobacco settlement and offers free smoking-cessation services to all Minnesotans. Because it isn't a health insurance program, it doesn't provide prescription drugs, but nicotine replacements such as gum are included. Members can speak face-to-face, online, over the phone or in the workplace with a counselor and develop a plan to quit smoking.
"If folks are interested in quitting smoking, they should get help and not do it alone. You're more likely to be successful if you get help," said Kerri Gordon of ClearWay, which sponsors the program.
Other programs: Breathe Laser Therapy of Minnetonka, 952-546-5657; Calhoun Chiropractic Center of Minneapolis, 612-920-3636; Hoffman Hypnosis of New Brighton, 612-338-3292.
Get organized
Maybe all that closet clutter is cramping your style.
1. Clean it out! The general rule is, if you haven't used or worn it in about two years, send it on its way. Donate it to the Salvation Army or Goodwill, or bring it to a secondhand shop.
2. Get things off the floor. California Closets recommends vertical shelving for optimal space.
3. Get some help. Ask a friend or family member to help; sentimental attachment to things can be a hindrance. They'll tell you what to save and what to toss.
4. California Closets recommends rotating your closet with the seasons. You'll rediscover sweaters you didn't know you had.
5. Be creative with storage. Visit the Container Store in Edina for more efficient storage.
6. If you're really serious about organization, California Closets (www.californiaclosets.com, 1-888-336-9707) will do a free in-home consultation, which includes measuring every aspect of your closet, from counting shoes to how much clothing you fold. Packages range from $600 to $60,000.
Be more eco-friendly
Even if you aren't eating all-organic and driving a Prius, you can take baby steps to making your carbon footprint smaller. Here's some advice from Terri Bly, founder of the Nature of Beauty, and Ryan North, owner of Uptown's eco-friendly boutique Twin Cities Green.
1. Start small. "Find somebody, a retailer or a resource you can trust. If you get overwhelmed, you'll back out. Start with one thing that feels manageable," Bly said. She also advises going green because you want to. "If you're saying 'should,' it's not going to be a positive experience."
2. Focus on one area of your life. "A lot of people start in the kitchen," North said. He recommends purchasing cast-iron cookware, which is more sustainable than nonstick cookware. Another popular starting point is baby paraphernalia, such as glass bottles and sustainable, nontoxic toys.
3. Ladies, examine your beauty products. "Wearing natural makeup does not mean a natural look!" Bly said. "We're well past the era where all you had was loose minerals that came in beiges." Bly-endorsed products are available at Eco-tique in St. Paul.
4. Think with your purchases. Bly and North are proponents of buying fair trade products, which span from chocolate to coffee to jewelry.
5. Turn off lights and unplug cell phone and computer chargers. Lower your thermostat. Conserve running water. Plant a tree. Even the smallest steps can make an impact.
6. Reduce, re-use, recycle.
Lose weight
The king of all resolutions can often be the hardest to keep. Here are some ideas, with a little help from Darryl Bushard, who heads the personal training department at Lifetime Fitness in Bloomington.
1. Test the waters. Most local gyms, such as CorePower Yoga and the Firm, offer a free seven-day trial. Lifetime's facilities are available at a variety of levels.
2. Find consistency with a program. Bushard's group fitness class, for example, meets three times a week for 12 weeks.
3. Work out with others. People are more successful when working in a group of 10 to 12. "I've been a trainer for four years, and that's what I've seen," Bushard said. Being accountable to others keeps you coming back.
4. Nutrition is huge. "Nutrition plays 75 to 80 percent of success," Bushard said. Be aware of how much you eat per day. If you know you're a snacker, that's what you focus on. Some people find it beneficial to write down everything they eat over the course of several days.
5. Other nutrition programs are readily available in the Twin Cities, from Weight Watchers to personal meal-delivery systems.
6. If you're really sedentary, take baby steps to fitness. Walk the dog every day for basic cardiovascular exercise. There's no shame in mall-walking.
Kara Nesvig is a Minneapolis freelance writer.
