New Year’s Resolutions

“Oh God, I have to get rid of these extra pounds!”

This is one of the most popular New Year’s resolutions – whether it’s five pounds or 50 many people say to themselves, “It’s a new year and I’m starting with a clean slate, so this is it.” Eating healthy (no potato chips) and bringing one’s weight down is #1 on this list.

“Where’s my waist and what’s with these flabby arms?”

Getting in shape is right up there with shaving pounds. Should you join a gym? In a moment of truth, you realize that this isn’t really necessary: just fling a big beach towel down on top of a carpeted floor and start in slowly with 15 minutes in the morning and 15 at night.

“It’s so hard to cook and takeout is so easy.”

Yes, we know that picking up a pizza on the way home from work is the fastest way to curb those hunger pangs. But, taking time to make a proper meal: rice, chicken and a vegetable with a side salad of lettuce with sliced cucumber, tomato and mushrooms is, in the long run, cheaper and healthier.

“All this paper is driving me nuts: I’ve got to get organized.”

We’re in the digital age so most of what we do is stored in our computers. But we all have paperwork that we have to keep for tax time. So, after deleting old emails it’s time to set up file folders for important papers. Creating those files will allow you to put things away properly.

“This is the year I’m going to buckle down and learn Mandarin.”

Learning a new skill is always a challenge. It can be slow going, frustrating and a drain on one’s time. The trick is to start small and build from this. For example, instead of resolving to master the art of French cooking, just start by using one French recipe. Then keep trying and one day it will be, “Eureka! I did it.”

“I’ve always wanted to travel to Buenos Aires, but I couldn’t pull it off.”

This is the year you bite the bullet and do it by a) saving money, b) reading about where you want to go, c) telling one person about your goal – to make it even more real and d) setting a definite date and time for this trip.

The year 2018 was very interesting – I think this ad says it all.

XMAS IS OVER: TIME TO THINK ABOUT WINTER

The holiday season takes a lot of energy. So why not treat yourself and your loved ones to a week or so in sun and surf. Check this out:

#1 The Caribbean hurricane season starts in June and ends in November. I know that many people take island trips at this time. If you’re lucky, nothing will happen. But, if not, watch out.

#2 Do you want really hot weather? Then go to beautiful, sunny Barbados. Traveling to a place like Bermuda or the Bahamas may come as a surprise because the weather will be warm, but not tropical.

#3 Guadeloupe, the French island, is lovely and has superb restaurants. We really loved this island because it has a real European vibe. If you want to “island hop” Martinique is very close.

#4 St. Thomas in the American Virgin Islands is hustle and bustle. But it’s easy to find slower spots such as tranquil Magens Bay, which is a short drive from busy Charlotte Amalie – or sail to the island of Saint John for a look at unspoiled nature.

#5 The North Shore in Hawaii’s Oahu is very dramatic in the winter – huge waves roll across the Pacific. Hop over to Kauai (The Garden Island) and take a helicopter trip down the Napali Coast. This is definitely a special, once-in-a-lifetime experience.

The dramatic Napali Coast in Kauai, Hawaii

HAPPY NEW YEAR AND ALL THE BEST FOR 2019

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