It’s estimated over 40% of Americans make New Year’s resolutions. However only around 8% actually succeed. 

 

The good news is there’s hope for success. Clearwater businesses are available to help with many of the most common resolutions, including losing weight, exercising more, eating healthier, stopping smoking, and saving more money. 

 

For people resolving to lose weight and become healthier in 2017, a good place to start is the Clearwater Medical Clinic. 

 

For patients looking to stop smoking, a medical provider can discuss nicotine replacement and medication options, as well as get the patient signed up with QUITPLAN, a free program offered through the State.

 

For diet and weight loss, the clinic offers nutritional counseling as well as no charge blood pressure and weight checks, and can refer patients to a dietitian. 

 

Patients can also make a weight loss appointment to talk about setting goals and deciding what plan will realistically work best for them.

 

“Instead of having a goal of losing 30 pounds, change the goal to becoming healthier,” said Sandra Hayes, nurse practitioner. “It needs to be a lifestyle change.”

 

Another local business that can help residents keep their resolutions is Snap Fitness.

 

“Making a New Year’s resolution is a great excuse to get started,” said Manager and Trainer Shalynn Reid. “Nothing is more important than your health.”

 

Reid likes to start people new to Snap Fitness on what’s called the “Basic 8,” which is a complete fitness routine that can be done in 30 minutes.

 

“The Basic 8 will give the most noticeable results the fastest to help you get to the goals you want to reach,” said Reid. 

 

Snap Fitness has both cardio and strength training equipment, as well as other options such as free weights and kettle balls. Reid also offers personal training one-on-one or in buddy sessions.

 

“Personal training helps you stick to your goal and keeps it fun and different,” explained Reid. “It gives you an extra push.”

 

Through the end of January new members can sign up for $20.17 with no enrollment fee. There’s no contract; members can pay month to month or choose to prepay for longer periods, which offers more savings.

 

Snap Fitness also offers corporate specials for businesses, and many insurance plans will pay for all or a portion of an individual’s monthly fee.

 

Membership gives access to all Snap Fitness’ around the U.S. and Canada 24/7. 

 

Coborn’s is another local business that can help residents resolving to become healthier.

 

“One of the best ways to lose weight and eat healthier is to eat real food as opposed to processed foods,” said Cheryl Johnson, natural foods manager. “You also need to eat less and move more. It’s a whole lifestyle and the way you’re going to feel the best.”

 

Johnson recommends the produce section of the store as a good place to get real, whole food with high NuVal scores.

 

NuVal is a food scoring system that lets consumers quickly know the nutritional value of the food they buy. It ranks foods on a scale from one to 100, the higher the score the higher the nutrition. NuVal scores can be found on individual pricing tags.

 

Coborn’s natural foods section also offers healthy options, and includes both natural and organic products. None of the products in natural foods contain ingredients like high-fructose corn syrup and synthetic fillers, so consumers don’t have to worry as much about reading labels.

 

Johnson stressed that although natural foods items are always going to be cleaner foods, they aren’t necessarily lower calorie.

 

Coborns.com has a health and nutrition link with a dietitian’s corner that allows customers to email questions to a dietitian, and Cobornsblog.com has links to bloggers that discuss healthy options.

 

Johnson is also available to meet with customers to answer questions and help with food choices.

 

“Losing weight isn’t all diet food,” advised Johnson, “It’s a matter of putting together a healthy diet lifestyle rather than trying to use a lot of gimmicks.”

 

Many of the items available in the natural foods department are on sale through January, which gives customers a good opportunity to try them out.

 

Saving money for retirement or a big purchase is another resolution often made, and American Heritage Bank has a number of options to help customers reach their goals.

 

Health Savings Accounts (HSA), which are used to pay for qualified medical expenses, have become a popular option offered by the bank. Funds contributed to the account are not subject to federal income tax, and can accumulate year to year if all of the money isn’t spent.

 

American Heritage Bank also offers a money market account or a certificate of deposit (CD) for IRSs (individual retirement accounts), and Roth IRAs where customers’ contributions can grow tax-fee and provide tax-free income in retirement. Contributions to traditional IRAs may be tax deductible, and earnings can potentially grow tax-deferred until withdrawn at retirement.

 

Customers can sign up for automatic transfers to a savings account weekly, bi-weekly or monthly; a mobile app offered by the bank allows customers to complete a transfer. Setting up an account this way helps customers avoid temptation to withdraw the money before their goal is met.