It is that time of year again, when we tell ourselves that after the holiday season is over we’ll get back on track. We’ll get things under control.

For me (Mark), the resolution usually involves something to do with body weight, eating habits and exercise. Sound familiar? For many of us it is that lifelong battle to maintain a satisfactory body shape. I can’t tell you how many times I have started off the new year on some new fad diet or a resolution to work out every day. In some years I have experienced success and in others not so much. Last year it was the HCG diet that was the latest rage. I lost about 25 pounds and felt great. My partner Nolan and his wife Karen each lost 40 pounds on the same diet. As usual, I have gained most of the weight back. Not quite all, so I am better off than last year at this time.

It seems that I have reached the age where your metabolism grinds to a complete halt. Each evening when I get home, I face the choice of the nice comfortable couch or getting my sweats on and heading down to the health club. Let me see, relax comfortably and watch sports or feel the pain of exerting myself? Which one do you think wins? I try my best to be a “half-full” kind of person, but the “half-empty” part of me wonders why I have the undesirable choice of either suffering and feeling hungry and thin or feeling full and like the Goodyear Blimp.

If you make resolutions each year, you should be congratulated. This shows character. When you finally reach the goal, it feels good. When you make a resolution, it shows that you care. People who care are inspiring. What kind of resolutions will you make this year? Most of us want to lose some weight, but here are a few suggestions if you want to get off to a great start this year.

• Life is short. Live each day to the fullest. Don’t forget this. Make sure you spend as much time as you can with your family and friends.
• Life is good. Be sure to count your blessings. If you do, you will find they far outnumber the trials you have to go through.
• These are the good old days. Don’t spend too much time looking forward or looking back.
• Update your will. OK, I guess you do have to look forward to plan ahead for your family. This is just smart business.
• Choose to be happy. We can choose what we focus our thoughts on. This can make a huge difference in how you feel on a day-to-day basis.
• Start a weekly exercise plan. If nothing else, walk around the block. You will feel better and your dog will love it.
• There is new technology in the savings and investment world. Explore what is available rather than continuing to do what may not be working so well.
• Adopt a cause you are passionate about. You will feel good if this is how you spend some time.
• Find a place of worship to regularly attend. Everyone needs the fellowship of others.
• Just do it. Don’t just talk about it. Do it. There are talkers and there are doers. As the saying in the movie “The Shawshank Redemption” goes, “Get busy livin’, or get busy dyin’.”

May God bless you and your family this holiday season. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

For more information about The Retirement Guys, tune in every Saturday at 1 p.m. on 1370 WSPD or visit www.retirementguysradio.com.Securities and Investment Advisory Services are offered through NEXT Financial Group Inc., Member FINRA/SIPC. NEXT Financial Group, Inc. nor its representatives provide tax advice. The Retirement Guys are not an affiliate of NEXT Financial Group. The office is at 1700 Woodlands Drive, Suite 100, Maumee, OH 43537. (419)  842-0550

This entry was posted on Thursday, December 22nd, 2011 at 3:29 pm and is filed under Retirement Guys.
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