Four ways to improve your life in 2010

Call it a rite of passage: the New Year’s resolution. Each year, millions of us draw up a laundry list of goals we want to make, bad habits we want to break, or commitments we’ll probably shake.
 
While it’s possible to make a resolution you’ll keep for 365 days, the grim reality is that most people fall off the resolution wagon shortly after the Big Apple drops on Times Square. But what if you make some changes in your life next year without having to do much at all? Below are four common lifestyle areas in which four experts shared their advice for making simple improvements you can keep all year long.

Diet and nutrition

Romy Nelson, ME d, DTR , works with both corporate and individual clients in the East Valley and writes a nutrition column for an East Valley magazine.

Nelson suggests making a food log to start 2010 to help keep track caloric intake. “Having a food log will help keep track of the calories.” In order to lose weight, Nelson says you should eat fewer calories than you burn. It’s really that simple.

Fitness

Brian Mullins is the owner of Anytime Fitness in Maricopa. Mullins thinks it’s important to exercise on a regular basis; sporadic exercise can be detrimental. He suggests setting up a regular workout schedule, whether it is 2 or 3 times a week; anything can pay dividends.

“Cardiovascular (running) is the most important type of workout,” Mullins said. “It helps with the overall conditioning of the body.”

Financial health

Greg Harding is a financial planner for Edward Jones in Maricopa. He says the most important step you can take to improve your finances in 2010 is to remain invested in the stock market. And if you’re out of the market, Hardin says you should consider getting back in.

“Large gains can come quickly, but they only come to those who aren’t on the investment sidelines.”

Self Improvement

Maricopa resident Dr. Bob Ruotolo is the CEO of Quantum Performance Institute. Ruotolo believes the key to finding self-improvement in a person’s life begins with reflection, engagement and evaluation.

Ruotolo reminds people to reflect on their “self talk” or how they talk to themselves. “Many people talk to themselves negatively,” Ruotolo said. “This will quickly let people know if they are positively oriented or negatively oriented.”

That’s not too bad, right? Go out and have a fantastic 2010.

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