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It happens every year around this time. Everyone with a voice, pen or computer has advice for everyone else about every topic, from choosing the right gifts to roasting the best bird and creating the coolest "green" holiday decorations. Then there are the recommendations for how to stay sane, solvent and thin during the holidays.
Below you'll find out (in no particular order) how the writers and editors you've come to know in the past year or so, plan to stay (or, um, become) fit and healthy during the New Year.
David DesRoches, Weston/Easton reporter: Eat organic/local as much as possible, walk more, avoid elevators, eat lots of garlic and invest in strong breath mints. Oh, and avoid mass media the number one cause of narrow opinions and sleep loss.
Tom Renner, Sports reporter: I plan to stay healthy in 2011 by the same methods that I've been using for the past 30, I run, bike and swim regularly. In November I ran the Philadelphia Marathon, and my time of just over 3:20 was my best since 2001. Clearly I did something right. While training for the marathon, I significantly reduced my Forbidden Three, Ice Cream, Chips and Alcohol. I'm going to try to keep doing that in 2011.
Meaghan Morelli, Fashion and Food editor: Sleep more.
Fenella Pearson, Real Estate and Home & Garden editor: A year ago I was incredibly fit. My body was sculpted (sort of) by hours of training at my rowing club. Then I was told I had breast cancer and after weeks of chemo and various surgical adventures, I've turned into a flabby blob. It's going to take a while to get back into regatta shape, but my aim is to get fit enough to row at the Head of the Charles in October. It's going to be tough. But I'm up for the challenge!
Felicia Hunter, Stamford reporter: To maintain good physical health it is helpful to nurture a positive spirit, which requires thinking good thoughts and keeping company with good people.
TJ Buzzeo, Wilton reporter: I generally consider myself in-shape and healthy, but one way in which I'm going to improve my health is to stop going to Buffalo Wild Wings. I don't have anything against the restaurant other than the fact that I LOVE their food. I start with about at least a dozen boneless wings and then wash it down with the Big Jack Daddy Burger, a burger with pulled pork, onion rings and cheddar jack cheese. I definitely recommend it to anybody without a preexisting heart condition. On second thought, I might just start working out an extra half-hour a day...
Matt Zalaznick, Managing editor: If I know I'm going to pig out at dinner, I try to have a lighter lunch - salad, soup, only one slice of pizza.
Andrew Vazzano, Social Media manager: I'd really like to start bringing a healthy lunch (or at least a snack) to work every day. Too many chips, cookies and snacks have been sneaking into my diet.
Vanessa Inzitari, Westport reporter: My fiancé and I recently made the switch from white to 100 percent whole wheat bread, which is actually quite tasty! We've also switched out regular for whole grain pasta. I plan on keeping this up and switching out foods we normally eat for healthier versions, like buying fat free yogurt instead of the yogurt that comes with M&M's! I also plan to actually start exercising this coming year. I bought some Zumba DVDs and am getting a Wii Fit for Christmas, since I don't have time to go to a gym.
Anna Helhoski, Greenwich reporter: In the New Year I plan to dust off the old yoga mat, disconnect from the outside world and reconnect with myself once a day. It only takes 28 days to form a healthy habit!
Karen Tensa, Copyeditor: I plan to stay healthy by getting enough sleep at night! And failing that, by taking a nap.
John Lupton, Stamford reporter: "Everything in moderation," my mother always told me. And that certainly sticks today. We try to walk more even in the cold during the holiday week. And of course, my wife will remind me that, "If you need some exercise, push the vacuum around for awhile..." All that seems to work.
Eric Gendron, Sports reporter: I hope to play a lot of baseball come springtime. Although just finding time to get away from working on the computer would be a big step in itself!
Casey Donahue, Darien reporter: This year I'm going to cut the amount of fast food that I eat. As addicting as McDonald's sausage McGriddles might be, it's probably not healthy to eat them every other day. I also plan on going to the gym for the first time since 2007, and coming to terms with the fact that a strawberry Poptart does not count as a serving of fruit.
Alexandra Corbett, Greenwich reporter: In 2011 I'm going to try to eat more local and organic foods, cut back on my caffeine addiction and do more yoga.
Carl Lavin, Managing editor: I'm planning to stay healthy by jumping to conclusions more often. Some days, it will be a running jump.
Cornelia Fortier, Events editor: For the new year, hiring a personal trainer, nutritionist, professional organizer, chef and stylist to jump start my multiple health & well-being related resolutions could really help me overcome my inertia. But, hey, there's no room in the budget for even one of my dream team.
So, instead, I plan to tap the wisdom of another expert, Thich Nhat Hanh, a Vietnamese Buddhist monk and author. I feel confident he can help me crack my biggest resolution, staying mindful. After all, mindfulness is also a technique to approach eating, exercising and other health and lifestyle issues in a balanced way. And, of course, I don't want to lose sight of the big picture. As Thich Nhat Hanh says, "The present moment is filled with joy and happiness. If you are attentive, you will see it." So, Happy New Year, and, also, as my new personal coach would say, Namaste.
Care to share any New Year's resolutions? We'd be eager to feature a piece about our readers' resolutions, so please share them here, or email me, at jcurtis@mainstreetconnect.us.
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