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New Year, New Goals

We Asked Local Experts to Weigh in With Their Resolution Suggestions for 2021

Find a Healthy Eating Routine

Matt Tetrault, Gbury2Go 

gbury2go.com 

860-633-0042

Living a healthier lifestyle is one of the most common New Year’s Resolutions. We at Gbury2Go believe strongly that eating healthy and regular exercise leads to a healthy lifestyle and general wellbeing. Small habits make a big difference. We often believe that massive success requires massive action. Whether it’s the goal of working out more or eating better we all tend to swing the pendulum too far too early. When we don’t see immediate results, we revert to our old ways. At Gbury2Go we focus on the process with the idea that small changes and daily improvements will lead to great success. 

Habits compound and lead to dramatic improvement. Starting with sustainable small wins such as eating a bit healthier each day will lead to massive gains over time. While eating a healthier lunch or taking a walk each day may not seem like much these small changes will add up overtime and lead to a drastic change in one’s well being. 

Our habits shape our identity. Focus on the process and your habits versus the goal. The small sustainable changes will add up and before you know it the change in your life will be monumental. 

Tackle Your Tax Liabilities

From Lichtenstein Financial

lichtensteinfinancial.com

860-633-1662

As we are about to embark on another year feeling thankful for making it through, we also may be considering giving to a charity. Besides the gratification of giving back to the community, this can have advantageous tax benefits. Here are two, tax advantaged ways of giving:

Donor advised funds (DAFs) are a tool that can serve your tax reduction needs in the following ways: You can receive an immediate income tax deduction in the year you contribute to your donor advised fund. Since a DAF is administered by a public charity, contributions immediately qualify for maximum income tax benefits such as no capital gains, or estate taxes and can appreciate tax free.

 Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) is a direct transfer of funds from your IRA payable to a qualified charity. They can be counted towards your RMDs for the year and keep your taxable income lower which may reduce the impact to tax credits and deductions, including Social Security and Medicare.

Find a Weight Loss Routine 

Dr. Timothy Fignar, Center For Medical Weight Loss

centerformedicalweightloss.com

(888) 531-4723

Did you know that just 5 to 10 percent of weight loss can lead to a healthier you? Health improvements happen soon after weight loss (improved blood pressure and cholesterol, lower blood sugars, less joint pain and better sleep – just to name a few).  Medications for chronic health problems can be reduced almost immediately.  And you can lower your risk for heart disease and many types of cancer.

There isn’t one plan that works for everyone. What works for one person, may not work for the next. That’s why a more personalized approach to weight loss can be achieved through our Center for Medical Weight Loss (CMWL) program. It’s a one-on-one consultation with a Board-Certified physician – customizing a plan around lifestyle changes. These include setting a strategy about nutrition, exercise, supplements and prescriptions. Map out your successful path in 2021! 


 

Tackle Wealth Management Goals

David Mozeleski, MC Wealth Solutions Group

rbcwealthmanagement.com

860-241-8661

Amid unprecedented market turbulence and mounting uncertainty about the length of the disruption, we're all concerned about our financial health. History tells us that recoveries happen and that the best offense is a good defense that holds the line. In the meantime, consider the following proactive strategies to strengthen your financial plan

Revisit your wealth plan.

Conduct an income check-up and revisit your spending priorities.

Consider a Roth IRA conversion. The reduction in portfolio values and potential lower personal income for 2020—along with the elimination of the stretch IRA—make a Roth conversion appealing to many people. 

Lower your tax bill through contributions to organizations that are in need. 

Look at your estate value and consider strategies that work well in down markets, such as annual gifting using depressed stock, or trust strategies such as a Grantor Retained Annuity Trust. Review your will, trust, power of attorney, beneficiary designations and health care directives to see if there are any needed changes. Health care directives are important for young adults as well.

Revisit your life and disability insurance policies to determine whether these policies still meet your needs.

Yoga For Fitness and Stress Relief

Justine Fuller, Fuller Yoga

fulleryoga.com

860-430-9642

The best thing you can do to reduce stress is be consistent!  Just like you wouldn’t brush your teeth once a week, your body won’t release stress in just one class.  Becoming flexible focused and mindful takes practice.  We recommend at least 3 times a week to feel lasting results.  You can mix and match between gentle, power and all levels of yoga as long as you are consistent.  Bringing a friend or making friends in a yoga class is another way to establish healthy habits and hold each other accountable.

Stress builds up and eventually takes its toll, resulting in fatigue, depression, anxiety, and disease.  When you cultivate mindfulness and breathe consciously you initiate the relaxation response.  A regular yoga practice balances daily stress and helps keep you grounded in times of crisis, chaos and facing the unknown.   We hope you will consider adding a regular yoga practice to your weekly routine.  We know you will feel better, mentally, emotionally and of course physically.

Make Skincare a Priority

Tae Lechner, Glo Organic Skincare Services

gloskincareservices.com

860-202-9545

As a licensed esthetician I can offer many suggestions for taking better care of your skin, but anyone can Google that information. The best tip I can offer for skincare is to make having a facial part of your personal healthcare, self care routine now and throughout 2021.

With all the events this year, our lives have changed dramatically and made us realize it’s definitely time to invest in our health and well-being. Wearing face masks has taken a toll on everyone’s skin to some degree, as has the stress that everyone seems to be experiencing during this unprecedented time.

When you begin to take time for self care you begin to see improvements in all aspects of your life. Since your skin is the largest organ of your body, caring for it is much more than applying products to it. However, the quality of the products you use is key to radiant healthy skin. Having a facial is not only a way to take care of your skin, it offers an amazing way to relieve stress, while pampering yourself, by providing time to recharge and unwind regardless of age or gender, in a relaxing, safe, and comfortable environment. 


 

Try MedSpa For AntiAging

Loreen Williams, Emerge Medical

emergemedical.org

860-495-3100

Don’t let your age be written all over your face. Resolve to turn back the hands of time in the New Year with a fresh glow and younger looking skin that will keep them guessing all year round.  A chemical peel (or two) is the perfect way to erase the past and rid your skin of sun damage, age spots, fine lines and more. This skin care treatment will build not only collagen but confidence as you peel away the years to uncover a more youthful and healthy appearance. Get peeling and emerge a new you in the New Year. 


 

Resolve to Hit the Gym 

Gursu Samancioglu, Chandler Boutique Fitness Studio

chandelierglastonbury.com

860-430-9399

Have you ever created New Year’s resolutions, then by mid-February, realize you haven’t started them yet? Here are some strategies to help you get healthier in 2021. 

Small steps: gradually incorporate healthier behaviors into your routine. Set a goal of exercising 3 times per week for 10 minutes, then the next week increase the frequency to 4-5 times per week. The following week prepare a healthy breakfast each morning. 

Consistency: building habits takes time and repetition. Start with 10-minute moderate-intensity workouts then gradually work your way up to 30-60 minutes by adding 3-5 minutes per week.   Accountability: it’s easier to reach your goals when you have someone holding you accountable. Find a friend, coworker, or fitness studio to help keep you on track and motivated.

Change your environment: if you want to change your behaviors, create cues in your environment to promote action. Place dumbbells or an exercise ball in your living room. Include your workouts on your calendar. Place a bowl of fruit on your kitchen counter.








 

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