[EZ-zumba-LIVE]

New Year’s resolutions – they’re like that leftover fruitcake: promising at first, but by February, it’s gathering dust on the shelf. You know the drill: January 1st rolls around, and you’re pumped. You’re going to eat healthier, exercise more, and maybe even take up knitting (because who doesn’t need a new hobby, right?). But by the time February hits, you’re back to your old ways. Why does this happen, and how can we make those good intentions stick this time around?

Let’s talk about the top four habits people over 60 often wish to adopt, and why they tend to fade faster than a Florida sunset.
1. Eat Healthier
You start strong. You’ve bought all the “good-for-you” foods, tossed out the cookies, and are eating kale like a champion. But by the end of January, it’s like your fridge is conspiring against you. Those chips in the pantry start calling your name, and the kale? Well, it’s just not as exciting as a bag of potato chips.

Tip: Take baby steps. Instead of completely overhauling your diet, start small. Try adding one healthy meal per day or swapping out one sugary snack for a piece of fruit. You don’t need to be perfect – just consistent.

2. Read More
Reading more books or even tackling that pile of unread magazines is a great resolution. But by February, your resolution is replaced with flipping through Netflix for something that doesn’t require any effort at all. Who can resist a good show?

Tip: Set a daily reading goal – even if it’s just 10 minutes. Audiobooks are also a great option, especially if you’re spending time gardening or walking the dog. Let’s face it, a good audiobook can make washing dishes feel like an adventure.

3. Learn Something New
Whether it’s picking up a new language, learning how to use that fancy new tablet, or trying a craft like pottery, learning new things is often on our resolution list. But soon enough, frustration sets in, and we realize we’re never going to be fluent in Spanish or the next Picasso.

Tip: Keep it light. Try online tutorials or free courses. Platforms like YouTube and Zoom are full of great, easy-to-follow resources.

4. Exercise More
Most of us resolve to move more in the new year, but life (and our comfy recliners) get in the way. The first week, you’re hitting the gym, walking, or doing yoga with gusto. But by February, you’ve replaced “gym clothes” with “napping clothes,” and the only reps you’re doing are the ones involving a spoon and a pint of ice cream. Why does this happen? Simple: it’s hard to keep going when it feels like a chore.

Tip: Find something fun. Don’t force yourself to run marathons if you hate running. Try an online class so you can get started without being self-conscious. Villagers now can join EZ Zumba Gold Online w/ Elizabeth LIVE on Zoom, three times a week. The classes are free, there’s no commute, nobody cares what you wear, and it’s a blast! Just send an email to zumba@careconnectusa.org, and say “I live in the villages and I want to try Zumba at home.”

Final Thoughts:
The key to sticking with your New Year’s resolutions is making them fun and manageable. Start small, set realistic goals, and don’t be afraid to laugh at yourself along the way. After all, the goal isn’t to be perfect – it’s to enjoy the ride. And who knows, by next December, you might be the one giving advice to your grandkids about how to stick to their resolutions.

[retiredguy123]

I gave up rutabaga, and so far, I am doing fine.

[EZ-zumba-LIVE]

Some of us are having a dry January. Not sure if I believe the hype.

[Two Bills]

I am trying a dry January for the first time, although dear wife not very happy about it.
Cutting out foreplay before sex!

[manaboutown]

I have reduced my bodyweight by 10 pounds since 1/1/25 although I never made any resolution to do so. I just got the flu and lost my appetite.

[villagetinker]

My resolution was to not make any resolutions, so far, I am 100% satisfied with my compliance.

[vintageogauge]

Nothing major, I'm hoping to drop 10 lbs. by Memorial Day. Minor diet change and a little more exercise, nothing drastic, so far 3-1/2 lbs. but those were the easy ones. I eat well on Sundays and am cautious the rest of the week.

[jimjamuser]

Originally Posted by EZ-zumba-LIVE

New Year’s resolutions – they’re like that leftover fruitcake: promising at first, but by February, it’s gathering dust on the shelf. You know the drill: January 1st rolls around, and you’re pumped. You’re going to eat healthier, exercise more, and maybe even take up knitting (because who doesn’t need a new hobby, right?). But by the time February hits, you’re back to your old ways. Why does this happen, and how can we make those good intentions stick this time around?

Let’s talk about the top four habits people over 60 often wish to adopt, and why they tend to fade faster than a Florida sunset.
1. Eat Healthier
You start strong. You’ve bought all the “good-for-you” foods, tossed out the cookies, and are eating kale like a champion. But by the end of January, it’s like your fridge is conspiring against you. Those chips in the pantry start calling your name, and the kale? Well, it’s just not as exciting as a bag of potato chips.

Tip: Take baby steps. Instead of completely overhauling your diet, start small. Try adding one healthy meal per day or swapping out one sugary snack for a piece of fruit. You don’t need to be perfect – just consistent.

2. Read More
Reading more books or even tackling that pile of unread magazines is a great resolution. But by February, your resolution is replaced with flipping through Netflix for something that doesn’t require any effort at all. Who can resist a good show?

Tip: Set a daily reading goal – even if it’s just 10 minutes. Audiobooks are also a great option, especially if you’re spending time gardening or walking the dog. Let’s face it, a good audiobook can make washing dishes feel like an adventure.

3. Learn Something New
Whether it’s picking up a new language, learning how to use that fancy new tablet, or trying a craft like pottery, learning new things is often on our resolution list. But soon enough, frustration sets in, and we realize we’re never going to be fluent in Spanish or the next Picasso.

Tip: Keep it light. Try online tutorials or free courses. Platforms like YouTube and Zoom are full of great, easy-to-follow resources.

4. Exercise More
Most of us resolve to move more in the new year, but life (and our comfy recliners) get in the way. The first week, you’re hitting the gym, walking, or doing yoga with gusto. But by February, you’ve replaced “gym clothes” with “napping clothes,” and the only reps you’re doing are the ones involving a spoon and a pint of ice cream. Why does this happen? Simple: it’s hard to keep going when it feels like a chore.

Tip: Find something fun. Don’t force yourself to run marathons if you hate running. Try an online class so you can get started without being self-conscious. Villagers now can join EZ Zumba Gold Online w/ Elizabeth LIVE on Zoom, three times a week. The classes are free, there’s no commute, nobody cares what you wear, and it’s a blast! Just send an email to zumba@careconnectusa.org, and say “I live in the villages and I want to try Zumba at home.”

Final Thoughts:
The key to sticking with your New Year’s resolutions is making them fun and manageable. Start small, set realistic goals, and don’t be afraid to laugh at yourself along the way. After all, the goal isn’t to be perfect – it’s to enjoy the ride. And who knows, by next December, you might be the one giving advice to your grandkids about how to stick to their resolutions.

I resolved NOT to AGE anymore. I will let you know how that is going in a few months. I resolve to appreciate our great Supreme Court more this year. I resolve to spend less time in church for 2025 than 2024. I resolve to buy more items at thrift stores and garage sales for 2025. I resolve to NEVER speed on neighborhood streets. I resolve to ALLOW all dogs to defecate on my front grass. i resolve to stop wanting to shoot squirrels in my back yard. I resolve to force myself NOT to give "wedgies" to Santa Clauses ringing stupid bells. I resolve to stop thinking of myself as the "Prince of Peace". I resolve to refrain from walking up the down escalators. I will refrain from diving in from the "no diving" end of the swimming pool. I will refrain from sitting next to the most pretty lady at the swimming pool. I will continue to refrain from going on red lights and stopping on green lights like most other senior drivers. I will fumble with my credit cards as much as possible at the check out counter and put a really STUPID smile on my face. I will try to stop hating my neighbor even though he deserves it. I will hope that my hearing goes soon because I get tired of those STUPID LOUD Harley Davidson motorcycles. I will decrease my frequency of seeing how close I can come to those on bicycles wearing DARK colors. I will try to control my impulse to throw TACKS in front of cars and Golf Carts going 30 MPH in a 20 MPH zone. I will try hard in 2025 to be a more forgiving person.

[Cuervo]

I'm 79. My resolution is not to listen to my doctor and eat all the sweets I can find and leave this earth with a smile on my face.
So far, I've stuck to it.
I'm proud of myself.

[RICH1]

Originally Posted by two bills

i am trying a dry january for the first time, although dear wife not very happy about it.
Cutting out foreplay before sex!

brown paper bag...

[Karen M]

This is our 5th year doing Dry January. We find it a refreshing experience.

[Nana2Teddy]

Originally Posted by villagetinker

My resolution was to not make any resolutions, so far, I am 100% satisfied with my compliance.

Yep! Gave up on resolutions years ago. Never kept them, and then felt guilty. Now I have nothing to feel guilty about.

[EZ-zumba-LIVE]

and as January soon becomes February ... resolutions have the importance of that one Christmas sock hiding in the dryer.