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A directory of food pantries and meal sites in Fulton & Montgomery Counties. Updated 9/30/14


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Healthy Living Resources/Recipes
Get SMART with New Year's Resolutions
Posted 12/29/2012 by Leia Kedem, University of Illinois Extension

Take a deep breath - the holidays (and the endless onslaught of food) are now behind us. But don't get too comfortable; we're just days away from 2013, and like countless other Americans, you're probably making some New Year's resolutions. As with all resolutions, good intentions alone aren't enough, especially if you're trying to get healthy or lose weight (hence why the gym tends to empty out sometime mid-February). So what can you do to make changes last well into the New Year?

You may need to start by revising that resolution. Instead of a blanket statement like "I want to lose weight," make your goal S.M.A.R.T.: specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and timely. Be specific and think about "W" words: who, what, where, when, and why. Make it measurable by setting criteria for knowing whether you've reached your goal – how will you measure your progress? Importantly, is your goal attainable? It's easy to get discouraged with big goals that don't have any payoff in the short-term, so it can help to break up a larger goal into smaller ones. Similarly, your goal should be realistic – an objective you're willing and able to work toward. And finally, is your resolution timely? That is, do you have a time frame? Push yourself forward by setting an end date.

Once you've decided on your goal, tell people about it. This makes you accountable and it can be a great way to recruit help from friends and family. You can also get support from strangers by joining online forums or attending local support groups; who knows, you may even make new friends.

Another way to stay motivated is to reward yourself when you reach "mini" goals. One word of caution – avoid using rewards that are not in line with your resolution. For example, don't gift yourself with a double cheeseburger if you're cutting back on red meat. Instead, buy an item of clothing in your new size, a subscription to a health magazine, or something else to reinforce your new habits.

If you simply don't know where to start, look to local fitness centers, park districts, hospitals, clinics, or other agencies for classes or weight loss groups.  

So here's to a happy and healthy 2013 – and getting you started on that New Year's resolution.


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Go to ChooseMyPlate.gov for information to help you maintain a healthy weight and live an active lifestyle.

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For information and referral on community services, dial 2-1-1 and a trained call specialist will be able to assist you from 9:00AM–7:00PM (EST) seven days a week.You may also visit http://www.211neny.org/ to search by keyword or agency name and view the Online Directory for United Way 211 Northeast Region.