Health and fitness expert Samir Becic has a New Years resolution for the entire city of Houston.

I want to make Houston one of the fittest cities in America, he said. I cant tell you how motivated I am to make our great city the healthiest.

As with any resolution, a list of excuses can pop up. For example, Houstonians often complain about the climate or the lack of opportunities for fitness, Becic said. Unlike colder places, however, Houston is an ideal place for an active life, he said, with parks that make it easy to get outdoors.

Becic was recently named Houstons health czar by Mayor Sylvester Turner. Before founding Health Fitness Revolution and ReSYNC Fitness, he served as fitness director for Bally Total Fitness.

He has observed firsthand the wave of individuals signing up for gym memberships in January and February, ready to tackle their New Years resolutions. Then that excitement goes down, and suddenly they disappear, Becic said. By April, they stop coming completely.

His goal is to make fitness a year-round lifestyle of Houstonians.

Sticking with resolutions can be an ideal way to focus on self-care, said Ashley Garza, who founded,with Heather Hazen, Cormentum Health and Wellness in west Houston. As health and lifestyle coaches, Garza and Hazen recognize that committing to change is both mental and physical.

Everybody should take time to invest in themselves, Garza said. We all need to recharge.

Health experts in Houston have a number of tips for making resolutions stick:

1. Start slow. Its a marathon, not a sprint, Becic said. Its step-by-step. Keep in mind that better health is a process, he added. That means setting small, realistic goals, like losing 6 pounds in a month instead of 30 pounds. Becic also recommends starting with shorter work-outs in the gym, and adding five minutes at a time. Starting slow and being steady can help reduce injuries and exhaustion, he said.

The same is true of diet. Instead of eliminating everything all at once, make minor changes and work toward being healthier. Jill Sechi, owner of Wellness Coaching and Nutrition Therapy, has similar advice. A lot of resolutions are very broad and overwhelming, she said. Youve got to make sure your goals are realistic and small.

2. Celebrate small successes. Feelings of anxiety and depression surrounding weight loss often prevent people from working out, Becic said. Positive reinforcement for even small wins can help. Realistic goals make celebrating small successes easier, he said. For example, be excited about losing 10 pounds instead of beating yourself up for not losing 40. When you achieve something, you feel better about yourself, Becic said.

3. Develop patience - and flexibility. Reaching your goals takes time. Becic recommends being prepared to wait longer to see lasting results. Expect six to eight weeks to make up for a year of an inactive lifestyle, he said.

Garza added that sometimes success means being able to handle change. Find ways to cope, she said. If a goal isnt perfect, modify it and continue on a path to better health. Sechi said that setting manageable goals can be difficult. Instead, she recommends spending time reflecting on values. Values are not something you can accomplish, she said. Instead, look at ways to continually work toward the values that define you.

4. Find a partner. A number of individuals want to be healthier in the New Year. So you have plenty of partners to choose from, Becic said. Have a friend, and you can each motivate each other to stick with it. Hazen and Garza serve as each others accountability partners at Cormentum Health. Youre not in it alone, Garza said.

5. Narrow your focus. Be specific about your resolutions, Garza said. Once you gain momentum, you can go on to another, she said. Having too many goals can dilute your ability to conquer any, Becic said. Often people pick multiple goals at once, he said. Why stress yourself out? Pick one goal at a time. Be specific about what you want and hone in on that, he said.

6. Write it down. cCmmitting to a resolution with pencil and paper makes for a stronger commitment in general, Hazen said. Written goals are important, she said. Not only does it serve as a reminder, but it also becomes an affirmation. It helps you think, I can do this, she said.

7. Learn to love yourself. Hating what you see in the mirror is never helpful, Becic said, even if thats why you want to change. He recommends saying, I will change my body, but I will love myself in each phase.

8. Make time to rest. The body requires rest to become healthier, Becic said. Getting the proper amount of rest is essential. You need sleep, Becic said. He recommends getting seven to eight hours each night.

9. Hydrate. Its not simply the amount of water that matters. Its also how and when you drink it, Becic said. He recommends getting about a gallon a day. Every time you feel hungry, drink one big glass of water, and wait 10 to 15 minutes, he said. Most times, youre not hungry. Youre just thirsty, and your brain cannot tell the difference. He also suggests not drinking too much during a meal to promote healthy digestion and to reduce bloating.

10. Think about your triggers. Since behavioral change has a mental and emotional component, Hazen recommends exploring the root causes of behaviors. What makes a person smoke when theyre trying to quit? What makes you go to the pantry and grab a Twinkie? she asks. Thinking about triggers can make individuals better prepared to address and avoid them.

11. Eliminate stress. Stress can prevent rest and self-love - and even stop individuals from going to the gym or eating properly. Find the reason why youre stressed, Becic said. Start meditating, and getting in tune with yourself. He says to spend time to find whats causing stress and how to destress. Then, take that calmer path.

12. Make it fun. Becoming healthier doesnt have to be a bootcamp - even if thats your preferred fitness program. Hazen said that making small changes and seeing success can be rewarding. Change doesnt have to be painful, she said. It can actually be exciting.

Lindsay Peyton is ReNew Houston's Transformation columnist.

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Houstons fitness czar offers tips for sticking to healthy resolutions - Houston Chronicle

COLORADO SPRINGS It's the first day of the new year and that means people across the world are making those New Year's resolutions.

Two of the most popular ones - to eat healthier and lose weight.

We all know how easy it is to make those goals and then a few months later become stagnant. We're told that usually happens due to a lack of support, knowledge, not seeing results, or getting discouraged. In speaking with local businesses we learned some simple tips to help you stay the course in 2020.

When it comes to fitness Chelsea Secord, general manager at Crunch Fitness North Colorado Springs, said, "The commitment to this isn't a quick fix. It is going to be an ever-long process."

While everyone's fitness journey is different she said, "The first step is just starting, just making that decision."

Beyond that - getting the right kind of support.

"We are doing a fitness challenge, a 60-day challenge where you get that support that people often lack."

That program - combining group fitness training, personal training, and lots of check-ins. No matter what kind of routine you choose make a plan and understand it's a lifestyle change.

Secord said, "Be nice to yourself, but never ever, ever get stagnant up here or in here and the rest will follow."

A healthy diet is also just as important as a solid exercise routine.

Dan Fuhr, founder of Cafe Red Point, said, "Our big mission here is to serve food that leads to health and wellness, and increases performance."

He started the business about three years ago and is now working to serve up fresh and lean food options for his customers.

This year he's trying to promote "tips of how to get more vegetables in your diet...spinach, kale, tomatoes, cucumbers, kalamata olives...how to make eating more of a ritual...whatever you can do to get off eating processed, packaged food that's going to improve your health dramatically."

That means putting the screen down and making it a priority to eat with other people and actually prepare meals yourself.

"I know a lot of people don't like cooking so like just set one day a week I'm going to find a new recipe on the internet, I'm going to buy all the ingredients and I'm going to make it for myself."

Putting these nutrition and fitness steps into motion - they may just take you beyond this new year.

Secord said, "This is 2020. It's one year, but it could be 20 years you add on to your life."

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Covering Colorado How to keep healthy eating and fitness New Year's resolutions Caiti Blase 9:40 - KOAA.com Colorado Springs and Pueblo News

Have you made your New Years resolutions yet? If not, there is still time. Among the most common resolutions are changes to improve health, including quitting smoking, losing weight and starting an exercise program. Some people set specific goals, such as losing 20 pounds or running a marathon, while others take a more general approach, like eating healthier or getting in shape. Either way, these are excellent goals, but they should not be your only New Years resolutions.

Your resolutions should also include the things you need to do and change to achieve these goals. For example, losing 20 pounds is a good goal for many people. But what that really means is learning about a healthier way to eat, shopping for and preparing appropriate meals, finding time to exercise each day and focusing on turning these behaviors into lasting habits. These behaviors would make for excellent resolutions that would lead toward the weight loss goal.

With this in mind, here are a few resolutions that can help you achieve your health improvement goals:

Be realistic. Many people fail to keep their New Years resolutions simply because they don't set realistic goals or aren't realistic about what it will take to meet those goals. For example, running a marathon is an ambitious goal for almost everyone, especially someone who doesnt exercise at all. It is possible that someone could get in shape to run a marathon, but it will take a long time. A resolution to work up to jogging five days per week, with a goal of completing a 10k run is more realistic and achievable.

Focus on learning. Making most health behavior changes involves learning as much as doing. Something as simple as eating healthier meals requires learning about the nutrients that make some foods healthier than others, learning to read food labels to select healthy foods, and learning how to cook and prepare healthy meals. If your resolution is to learn about healthy eating, you will be able to achieve that goal and be well on your way to eating a healthier diet.

Manage your time. Most health improvement projects require taking time to learn about, implement and maintain those healthy behaviors. A major reason that people fail to really get started with or sustain a weight loss or exercise program is time. If you resolve to manage your time to include exercise or meal preparation in your daily schedule, you will be much more likely to meet your goals. Trying to add these new activities as extras to your already-busy days will inevitably lead to them getting squeezed out.

Plan ahead. Most people already know that changing health behaviors can be challenging, even under the best circumstances. Its no wonder that holidays, travel and other life events can complicate or even derail an otherwise successful diet or exercise program. Make it your resolution to think about what you can do before, during and after these (and other) disruptions to your routine to keep yourself on track. Planning ahead and thinking what if can make the difference between giving up and catching up on your diet or exercise program after a vacation.

The idea of making resolutions that are steps in the process leading toward a goal instead of the goal itself may be new to you, but focusing on the changes you need to make rather than the outcome may be the step that helps you keep your resolutions, achieve your goals and make 2020 a happy, healthy year.

Brian Parr, Ph.D., is an associate professor in the Department of Exercise and Sports Science at USC Aiken where he teaches courses in exercise physiology, nutrition and health behavior. You can learn more about this and other health and fitness topics at http://drparrsays.com or on Twitter @drparrsays.

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HEALTH AND FITNESS: Making real resolutions | Features - Aiken Standard

Two stories out of Indian Country duked it out this week for most depressing. The first is about a woman who went into an IHS hospital because of a cough. Her X-ray revealed signs of cancer, but no further tests were done. Her journey with the system reveals the deep quality of care issues that have plagued the agency for years. The sad thing is, our people dont have a choice. Thats all that is there, saidHarold Frazier, the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe leader.

Meanwhile, the federal government is just catching up to the fact that indigenous women not only face chronic violence at much higher rates than other populations, but theyve also been disappearing in numbers that constitute a crisis. What does that mean, then, for the ones that are found? Families grappling with the trauma they experienced are left without resources or help to put their lives back together.

With plenty of targets for public outrage, the FDA so far has avoided much scrutiny over what role it played in the opioid epidemic. Recently unearthed documents, however, show there was lax oversight at the agency over programs designed to curb the misuse of the pain pills. And even when the deficiencies in the program became apparent through its own review system, the FDA still failed to address the flaws.

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Must-Reads Of The Week From Brianna Labuskes - Lincoln Journal Star

AmeriHealth Caritas, a national leader in Medicaid managed care, is partnering with the Philadelphia Eagles to launch the first in-classroom health and fitness learning modules associated with the National Football League (NFL).

The modules will provide engaging information focused on health, nutrition and physical fitness for elementary and middle school-aged children.

The goal of these modules, part of the commitment by AmeriHealth Caritas two Pennsylvania Medicaid managed care plans to support community-based health initiatives, is to help students understand the habits that impact their overall health and help them to make more informed decisions about diet and exercise. More than 140 Pennsylvania public schools in Philadelphia County, Delaware County, Allentown, Reading and Lancaster will have access to the modules.

The schools have been selected based on having student populations from low- or moderate-income households in communities that have a great need for additional resources. The modules will be available to these schools for three years.

At the heart of our mission is developing students to be their own advocates and encouraging them to be the best versions of themselves, said Laurena Tolson, principal of Add B. Anderson School in Philadelphia. A key part of that is teaching them how to make healthy choices, like eating nutritious foods and being physically active. However, resources are often limited at public schools and even more so for those located in produce deserts like ours, she continued. We are grateful to AmeriHealth Caritas for providing our school with this valuable tool and look forward to seeing the impact it has on our students for years to come.

This initiative is part of an ongoing, strategic partnership between AmeriHealth Caritas and the Philadelphia Eagles, aimed at addressing the social determinants of health that impact families in the Greater Philadelphia area and beyond. It is the first in-classroom, educational program sponsored/supported by the Philadelphia Eagles and the National Football League, as existing efforts primarily focus on the benefits of healthy habits and proper exercise outside the four walls of schools.

We are focused on helping our members of all ages make important lifestyle choices that can lead to healthier, more productive lives, said Paul Tufano, Chairman and Chief executive Officer of AmeriHealth Caritas. For children, we know that wellness education at a young age can influence healthy choices and actions in the future. By working with the Philadelphia Eagles to advance this program, we are making a positive and meaningful difference in the lives of the children in our communities.

For AmeriHealth Caritas, addressing factors that impact an individuals health is fundamental to its mission of building strong and healthy communities across the states it serves. More specifically, as a Pennsylvania-based company, it has a special commitment to instilling wellness ideals among the Commonwealths youth in order to provide a healthier future. This is especially important for schools in low-income areas that may not have access to additional tools or nutritious foods that are vital to healthy lifestyles.

The Philadelphia Eagles are dedicated to helping children enjoy the benefits of physical activity and healthy habits, said Catherine Carlson, Senior Vice President, Revenue and Strategy, Philadelphia Eagles. Extending our efforts to the classroom is a critical step to empowering our youth to live well-rounded lives. We are thrilled to support AmeriHealth Caritas leadership as we help area-based public schools with resources needed to make healthy living obtainable for all children.

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NFL's First In-Classroom Learning Modules Focused On Health And Fitness Launched - SGB Media

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Start the new year with free classes to learn how small changes in food and fitness help you increase energy, save money and meet new people. Local nonprofit On Common Ground offers free cooking, nutrition and fitness classes at partner locations including Washoe County libraries, Northern Nevada HOPES, and the Women and Childrens Center of the Sierras.

Funded through SNAP-Ed, public classes begin January 3rd and continue through September for all ages over six. Class calendar available on the web at OCGReno.org. Drop ins welcome, space permitting. Reserve your spot in future classes by signing up at OCGReno.org or during class times at local sites.

The Center for Disease Control reports that 86 percent of all healthcare costs in the United States are food related. At On Common Ground, we intend to change those numbers, says Dawn Fernandez, director of the Heart of Community Instructional Program. We want to empower everyone to curb healthcare costs and improve personal health through easy, inexpensive choices that help build healthy habits.

Access to affordable, nutritious food and the ability to prepare it allows every adult and child to work, learn, grow and fight disease.

Free classes open to the public are listed below. Class topics include after-school activities, recipe makeovers, cardio-aerobics, flexibility and yoga, weight management and how to shop on a budget.

Information is available online: OCGReno.org. Pictures and details on Facebook and Instagram at OCGReno.org.

On Common Ground, or OCG, works to feed hungry people by providing access to affordable, healthy food and teaching people how to make it delicious.

Northern Nevada HOPES 580 West 5th Street, Reno 3rd Floor

Women & Childrens Center of the Sierra (WACC) 3905 Neil Road, #2, Reno

Downtown Reno Library 301 S. Center St, Reno

Sierra View Library 4001 S. Virginia St, Reno

This post is paid content and does not represent the views of ThisisReno. Want to promote your business, event, or issue? Consider a sponsored post.

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Hungry for Health? Free foodie and Fitness classes (sponsored) - ThisisReno

New Years resolutions are often health- and fitness-related. So what do the experts in those fields hope to accomplish in a new year? Below, six DC-area fitness professionals share their goals for 2020whether its running a race with their baby, studying nutrition, or lowering their cholesterol.

Im actually studying for a nutrition coach certification right now. I was just promoted to master instructor at SoulCycle, which is a huge deal. So Im focusing on what the next step is and how I can up my game. Nutrition is a big part of that.So many of us just work out without thinking about what it is thats fueling our bodies or whats making us feel good or bad. Im all about what makes us feel good. What works for one person doesnt always work for another. My goal is to work on my own nutrition and hopefully help some others along the way.

Im supercharged to take on some great fitness challenges in 2020. One of my resolutions is to run 35 miles each month alongside another F45 trainer. Another resolution is to focus on my work/life balance. Washingtonians are always chasing the side hustle and not leaving enough time to take care of ourselves, so getting in a daily sweat is one of my big goals for 2020. Id like to continue to introduce F45 to new audiences and spread the word through pop-up classes, like the one we did this fall at 12 Stories. Lastly, I want to try a new workout each monthsince there are so many different types of fitness options in DC, why not get outside that comfort zone?

I want to lower my cholesterol, run my first race while pushing my son in his jog stroller, and run the SeaWheeze half-marathon for the fourth time. (That wont be the stroller race!)

For 2020, my clients and I are going to focus on overcoming plateaus. I hear it all the time, especially in group fitness, that clients can become bored or are no longer seeing results. These are common feelings, so we have to continue to spice things up and find new personal challenges by finding different ways to make our fitness goals fun and productive such as:1) Invite friends: Youll be surprised how much a familiar face could push you during a workout. 2)Utilize technology more:If you have a Fitbit, Apple Watch, etc., use these devices to measure workouts. If you burned 200 calories on Monday, see if you can burn 250 when you work out the next time. For heart rate monitoring, try to limit the recovery time even if the rest of the class is recovering. Although you are in a group class, you still want to maximize your results.3)Monitor your resistance weight:Im guilty of taking the most convenient weight, although I could do more. Most HIIT (high-intensity interval training) workouts consist of compound movements with high reps, so you want to increase slowlymaybe 2.5-to-5 pounds per month. For more focused moves like a squat or chest press, I would say increase by 5-to-10 pounds per month.4)Work out with your favorite fitness trainer:Id be thrilled to find out someone wanted to know the next time I was taking class so they could join! Its a great way to get free advice and learn how to level up moves and workouts. Definitely a win-win.

My 2020 New Years resolution is to support those beyond myself and the typical group fitness experts. Group exercise has so much to offer those who invest emotionally: you become stronger both mentally and physically. So in 2020, Ill expand my services to a population who needs it the most: educators. In 2018, 26 percent of DC educators left the classroom. As a former teacher, I will help prevent further educator burnout through six-week programs, in-school sessions, and overall stress support at Sweat DC. All are invited to join!

Im turning 40 this year (January 5) and aiming to be the healthiest version of myself. I recently gained lottery entrance into the 2020 Cherry Blossom race, and I couldnt be more excited. I ran my very first Cherry Blossom race at the sweet age of 30, and 10 years later, Im planning to show myself and others how we can only get better with time (and wisdom). Although this will be my seventh race, Im planning to set a personal record this year.

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Six DC Fitness Influencers Share Their New Year's Resolutions - Washingtonian

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It's one thing to say, "This is the year I'm going to get in shape," and another to actually do it. Because, really, what's the action plan? Join a gym? That requires time and money. Eat less? That's great in principle but difficult in execution. OK, so how about joining a virtual gym and hiring a virtual nutritionist? That way you can exercise at home, on your schedule, and get a meal plan that's customized to your goals and requirements.

That's Fitterclub in a nutshell. And for a limited time, Cheapskate readers can get a one-year Fitterclub membership for $15.20 with promo code CHEAP20. Regular price: $119.99. (Note that all sales are final once you redeem your membership code.)

The service takes a two-pronged approach to your health and fitness: A weekly workout plan (consisting of 30-minute exercise videos) and a personalized meal plan. After filling out a fairly basic questionnaire regarding your stats, goals, preferred foods and the like, you'll land at a portal where you can access workouts, meals (including recipes) and a few nutrition articles.

The Fitterclub portal makes it easy to access your weekly workouts and meals, all of which are customized based on your requirements and goals.

It's all quite simple and straightforward, making this a good option for folks who are new to this kind of thing. However, there are a few caveats.

For starters, there's no way to see your meal plan in anything but its online form, which is a grid or, if you're using a mobile browser, a list. You can't print out your weekly meals for easy at-a-glance reference or generate a grocery list from it. And speaking of mobile, Fitterclub offers no apps; everything is done via browser.

I had no trouble accessing or playing workout videos on my phone, but I do wish Fitterclub offered some means for watching them on a TV -- a Roku channel, for example, or even just access to them via YouTube. Unless you're willing to, say, plug your laptop into your TV, you'll either need to exercise in front of your PC or live with the small screen afforded by your phone or tablet.

But those are minor obstacles, and let's remember: $15. For an entire year. I think this is a good choice for anyone who's a health and fitness novice, who needs help getting started and the discipline of weekly workout and meal plans.

Your thoughts?

While we're on the subject of health, Amazon currently has a bunch of magazine subscriptions on sale -- including Men's Health (one year, 10 issues) for $6 and Women's Health (one year, 10 issues) for $6. These are for the print editions, meaning an honest-to-goodness paper good will arrive in your mailbox, but you can also get the Kindle versions for the same price. (Note that if you go print, they'll auto-renew after one year unless you cancel.)

I've been a Men's Health reader for years -- maybe even decades. Although it does tend to get fairly repetitive over time, I like it because it keeps health and fitness top-of-mind. Plus, I almost always learn something new in every issue, sometimes many somethings.

At this price, each issue is literally costing you 60 cents. My take: 100% worth it.

CNET's Cheapskate scours the web for great deals on tech products and much more. For the latest deals and updates, follow the Cheapskateon FacebookandTwitter. Find more great buys on theCNET Deals pageand check out ourCNET Coupons pagefor the latest promo codes fromBest Buy,Walmart,Amazon, andmore. Questions about the Cheapskate blog? Find the answers on our FAQ page.

The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as health or medical advice. Always consult a physician or other qualified health provider regarding any questions you may have about a medical condition or health objectives.

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Get fit and healthy in 2020 with a 1-year Fitterclub membership for just $15.20 - CNET

If there's one thing we've been reminded of over the past year, it's that fitness games are quite popular. When Fitness Boxing was originally released on the Switch, the developer Imagineer ended up having to issue an apology in Japan due to nationwide shortages after stories spread of weight loss success.

The same thing happened when Ring Fit Adventure arrived on the hybrid system last October with Nintendo having to apologise for stock shortages (again, in Japan) after strong sales in the first month of the game's release.

Has Ring Fit Adventure had the same impact on the health and fitness of users as Fitness Boxing? Apparently it has, according to a Ring Fit player named Migui Minaj, who recently uploaded a before and after photo of himself after one month. This regular user reportedly exercised in the game for about 25 minutes a day and made sure to keep track of his diet at the same time. Here's the result:

Is getting fit part of your new year resolution? Have you been exercising in Ring Fit Adventure regularly? Are you noticing any differences? Share your own fitness journey in the comments below.

[via gonintendo.com, m.facebook.com]

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Ring Fit Adventure Player Shows Off His Healthy Transformation After One Month - Nintendo Life

With the new year comes new attitudes for many, whether its to get in shape, work toward financial security or just clean up the house.

New Years resolutions are easy to make but not so easy to keep. Four out of every five resolutions will meet with failure by mid-February, according to author and speaker Joseph Luciani, a clinical psychologist and expert on the subject.

Unrealized resolutions can even be harmful, according to the American Psychological Association.

In addition to the post-holiday slump, not being able to keep your resolutions by February, March or even late January may increase your anxiety, the association says.

With that in mind, some local experts offer advice on how to approach fitness, money and organization goals in 2020.

More than 50% of New Years resolutions are fitness-related, but 88% of those resolutions ultimately fail, according to a study by British psychologist Richard Wiseman.

Finding a type of exercise thats enjoyable is the first step to making a long-term commitment toward better health, according to Miranda Klatt, owner of Fun Fit LLC in Mandan.

She recommends trying several different types of fitness classes during the start of the new year, when many gyms are offering deals to newcomers.

You might try something that youve never done before and fall in love with it, she said.

Klatt recommends that people view exercise not just as a means to lose weight, but to better their entire selves. People who enjoy exercise tend to naturally start eating better in order to improve performance, and they also start to look at other aspects of their health, such as spiritual and mental wellness, she said.

To those seeking advice on how to get started on a health and fitness regimen, she offers a simple yet powerful cliche.

Just do it, she said.

If your New Years resolution includes investing for retirement, starting out with a workable plan can be an important first step.

Pick two or three straightforward goals and stick with them, said Joe Heringer, financial adviser with American Trust Center.

That advice is especially important for someone who is just out of college or perhaps starting over on a retirement plan. Anyone at one of those stages should pay down debt, establish a budget and build an emergency fund that would cover six to 12 months of living expenses.

Investing for retirement takes discipline, but there are a number of options that can help a person even someone new to investing succeed, Heringer said. A target date retirement fund can take away some of the worry and decision-making. Using a persons age and projected retirement date, the fund is adjusted as time passes, going from higher risk at a young age to lower risk as the person nears retirement.

Contributing to that fund or any fund for that matter might best be done automatically. Setting up automatic transfers from a bank account to the investment account will help investing become a habit and also help a person avoid the highs and lows of the market.

Consolidating can be key for an investor who has more than one employer 401(k) after switching jobs over the years.

The fewer accounts, the better, Heringer said.

He also suggests portfolio reviews every six months or annually, to monitor progress and provide an opportunity for changes. The stock market was strong in 2019, for example, so an established investor might find during a review that the stock portion has grown more quickly than expected and the portfolio is out of balance.

To be successful at investing whether its a resolution or not stick with sound investing and saving principles and stay away from get rich quick schemes, Heringer said. Any financial decision should be based on facts, not emotions.

Form a long-term strategy and stick to it, he said. When you go through the rough times in life, remember why you formed the strategy.

Whatever that strategy is, time is an investors best friend.

The sooner you start, the longer the power of compound interest can work for you, he said.

The foundation of long-term investing habits starts with a good first year, Heringer said.

Stick with it through a year, form good habits, then readjust, he said.

Professional organizer Laura Suchy of Mandan has a message for people looking to organize their homes in the new year: start small.

Start with something easy like a linen closet or a utility drawer in the kitchen, said the owner of Kick the Klutter, who works primarily with families in Bismarck and Mandan.

Tackling too big a space or beginning in the wrong spot like an attic or garage where families tend to store more sentimental items can be overwhelming and discourage a person from continuing.

Its best to create a home for each individual item to get it off a countertop or work space, and make it a point to return items to those places so they dont float around, Suchy said. A utensil drawer organizer might be a good option for organizing smaller items such as nail clippers, but she warns not to go overboard purchasing new containers and organizing supplies before first getting rid of unnecessary items.

Make sure you always have an outgoing area for things that are leaving your life, she said.

As families purchase new items, they should make an ongoing effort to donate or get rid of older ones they no longer use, she said. People should be deliberate about the items they opt to keep out in the open.

You need to be able to look around your space and appreciate what surrounds you, Suchy said.

If, say, a mom or dad wants to keep the house organized as a New Years resolution, enlist the help of each family member in the process so each takes some responsibility, she said. Family members should talk together about how to create a system that works for their home.

Suchy suggests that families consider hiring a professional if theyre struggling to figure out where to begin or how to get started organizing. People who cant afford to pay for such a service can invite a friend over to help them see their space from a different perspective, she said.

Some of her clients want a picture perfect house, like the kind photographed for magazines or on Pinterest or Instagram. Thats often unrealistic, she said.

Decluttering a space is just one step in staying organized. People also need to change habits and grow accustomed to putting items back in their place after use.

Any step toward getting better organized is a step in the right direction, Suchy said. Make a long-term commitment to create a routine for yourself.

Tribune writers Travis Svihovec, Amy Sisk and Bilal Suleiman contributed to this story.

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From fitness to finances: tips for New Year's resolutions - Williston Daily Herald