The 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS resource guide for conquering New Year’s resolutions

Mia Laube KSTP

Credit: MGN/Pexels

New year, same story: Gyms fill up during the first few days of the new year, and a week later, attendance drops back to normal.

For some, the quick abandonment of a goal is at least partially due to lack of resources. KSTP wants to help our readers and viewers get closer to their goals in 2023; read on to find local and national resources for the most common resolutions people are making this holiday.

According to the Statista Global Consumer Survey, these are the top New Year’s resolutions of U.S. adults ages 18-89:

Exercise more.
Eat healthier.
Lose weight.
Save more money.
Spend more time with loved ones.
Spend less time on social media platforms.
Reduce work-related stress.
Reduce spending on living expenses.

Find a few pathways to conquering each of those below. If you know about a great, locally accessible resource that we haven’t included in this article, tell us about it here.

Happy goal setting!

Resources for exercising more

If a tight budget is preventing you from purchasing a gym membership, consider contacting your health insurance provider to see if they offer fitness incentives. For example, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota has “Fitness Incentive,” “Blue365” and “Fitness Your Way” programs to help members access exercise resources. Additionally, some employers offer gym membership reimbursement within yearly benefit enrollments for employees who go to their gym a certain number of times each month.

If mental or physical conditions prevent you from a “typical” wellness experience, the nonprofit Twin Cities F.I.T. may be able to help. The organization incorporates exercise as one aspect of a holistic approach. Programs can be made for people who have asthma, anxiety, autism, limits to physical mobility and more.

If you have struggled with substance abuse, the Twin Cities Wellness Center and Recovery Gym may be the place to help you on the path to recovery. The center offers outpatient mental health services with special attention to physical health.

If you experience systemic barriers to a full fitness experience, the YWCA Minneapolis may be a place to start. Although memberships are not free, the YWCA offers a range of opportunities. The organization’s website says it aims to “eliminate racism, empower women and promote peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all.”

City government groups are also good places to start when looking for exercise opportunities. For example, the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board has a website devoted to events and activities that keep people moving.

Sometimes, body image can be a source of stress that prevents people from consistent workout routines. With this barrier in mind, Mindful food & motion has curated a list of body-positive resources for people around the Twin Cities.

And, if you’re a beginner at exercise, the Mayo Clinic has some tips to create a fitness program that’s right for you.

Resources for eating healthier

Some want to buy more whole, fresh foods but have barriers such as money or distance that prevent them from doing so. Some of the local organizations combating food insecurity are Appetite for Change in North Minneapolis, Second Harvest Heartland in the upper Midwest, Hunger Solutions across Minnesota, and The Food Group in the upper Midwest.

For those who have access to most groceries but still feel stretched thin, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provides tips for”eating healthy on a budget.” Find similar advice from the MyPlate government website, Harvard nutritionists and the Mayo Clinic.

If you can afford to pay for personalized advice, a nutrition expert may be right for you. Begin searching for professionals on sites such as the HealthProfs MN Nutritionist Directory. Always take care to check on a health care professional’s credentials before beginning services. If you are a student, your school may offer these services for free.

Resources for losing, maintaining or gaining weight

Professionals at the CDC have a guide for those who want to achieve weight goals. The CDC also has a page discussing the difference between dieting and making sustainable lifestyle changes.

Locally, the University of Minnesota is working to promote healthy body weight within its School of Public Health. Visit the school’s website to look into peer-reviewed research on body weight.

Although hospital care is not a good fit or is not affordable for all people, health care providers are one option for people who want to achieve weight goals. For example, M Health Fairview and Allina Health have pages for people to choose options.

If you don’t have the resources to pay for weight management help, you can also find free advice from fitness pages on social media. While you should vet information from social media influencers based on their adherence to professionally accepted health principles, social media can help people connect with fitness coaches who look – and live – like them.

Resources for saving more money and reducing spending

It may seem like financial advisors are a privilege only the wealthy have, but many cities and counties offer their residents free money management resources. For example, Hennepin County has a partnership with Community Action to offer free financial wellness counseling, as well as free classes. Visit the government websites for your city and county to see if options are available to you.

Find similar federal resources here.

If you prefer a virtual financial advising experience, there’s an app for that. The site NerdWallet has ranked phone apps that serve as personal budgeting tools with a breakdown of key features offered by each app.

Some people have barriers to supporting themselves or family members financially. Minnesota-based Lifeworks offers a range of services, fiscal help included, for people with disabilities. Click here to get started. Generally, Minnesotans experiencing financial instability can find a range of public works programs to help ease their burden.

Resources for making the best of your time

If social media use is draining your time, there are a number of resources that can help you work through your relationship with your apps. To begin, the Mayo Clinic offers guidance on all types of addiction, including the overuse of social media. If you are able to gauge that your relationship with social media qualifies as an addiction, there are established support groups to help.

For people who don’t feel they have an addiction but want to reduce screen time, many former social media over-users have published guides to logging off. Some of the many resources are the Digital Futures Initiative and Digital Responsibility.

One way to spend screen-free time or family time is by visiting state parks. Find information about Minnesota state parks here and Wisconsin state parks here.

If you and your family members want to get together in a structured, productive way, you may be interested in family therapy. The American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy can help people find family therapists here. According to the AAMFT, family therapists “apply a holistic perspective to health care; they are concerned with the overall, long-term well-being of individuals and their families.”

Resources for reducing stress

The American Institute of Stress breaks down the concept of stress here. Visit the links below for sites that dive into specific types of stress.