GETTING OUT: Where to Start Your New Year’s Resolutions

Thursday, January 03, 2013

Jeffrey Starr, GoLocalWorcester Contributor

A new year means a new beginning for many, and that's why many make promises to themselves to work on changing a part of their lives they find in need of improvement. There are a near infinite amount of resolutions one can choose from, but there are a few in particular that seem to come up time and time again. Here are a list of a few along with a number of places in Central Mass where you can begin working towards your goals on this first weekend of 2013.

Eat Healthier

Living Earth, 232 Chandler Street, Worcester
EVO Dining, 234 Chandler Street, Worcester
Roots Natural Foods, 100 Crawford Street, Leominster

If your top goal for 2013 is eating healthier, Worcester and Central Mass have many, many options open for you. A few include Living Earth, a whole foods market and supplement center with a whole array of vegetarian and gluten-free options for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Right next to it is EVO, a restaurant which offers similar fresh and organic natural vegetarian and vegan menu options (of course there are healthy meat options available as well). Roots Natural Foods in Leominster offers high-quality and gourmet organic foods and other alternatives to typical supermarket options.

Get More Exercise/Become More Active

Worcester Fitness, 123 Summer Street & 440 Grove Street, Worcester
Anytime Fitness, 386 Shrewsbury Street, Worcester
Boost Fitness, 489 Washington Street, Auburn & 79 West Main Street, Northboro

Another common New Year's resolution is a commitment to get more exercise; for this, there are also plenty of options in Worcester County. A few gyms are listed where you can get a membership and hire a personal trainer, lift weights, use the ellipticals and stationary bikes, go running or anything else involving strenuous but much needed activity. Nice, warm gyms are ideal during the winter, but when the weather gets warmer and you may feel a little more comfortable running outside, Central Mass also has many great hiking trails and the city of Worcester has a number of beautiful neighborhoods, especially on its west side, where you can admire some beautiful scenery while getting your blood circulating.

Learn to Play an Instrument

Clemente Music Studio, 43 Granite Street, Worcester
Union Music, 142 Southbridge Street, Worcester

A lot of people promise themselves that they will learn something new or pick up a new hobby to pass the time in the new year; of these promises, most notable is a desire to learn how to play an instrument. Clemente Music Studio offers guitar lessons taught by anyone of seven world-class musicians, highly respected in the world of guitar playing. Union Music offers lessons in guitar, piano, keyboards, flute, violin, cello, drums, ukulele, songwriting, singing and much more from any one of 14 different instructors.

Volunteer and Help Others

Habitat for Humanity, 111 Park Avenue, Worcester
United Way of Central Massachusetts, 484 Main Street, Worcester
Rachel's Table, 633 Salisbury Street, Worcester

The desire to volunteer and perform charitable for acts for others is a noble one, and that is why many hope to do it in the new year. Take a trip down to places like the Habitat for Humanity for the Greater Worcester and Metro Area or the United Way of Central Mass to find out about one of their many countless volunteer activities they are or will be up to in the new year. Also visit one of Worcester's County's many homeless shelters, soup kitchens, and food pantries, such as Rachel's Table Food Rescue Service, to find out about possible opportunities there.

Spend More Time with Family

Old Sturbridge Village, 1 Old Sturbridge Road, Sturbridge
Fruitlands Museum, 102 Prospect Hill Road, Harvard

As one gets older and busier, it seems to get more and more difficult to allot some much needed time with family. Sturbridge Village is one of the countries' oldest living museums, celebrating early New England life, and is ideal for family fun, having many great activities designed for children of all ages. Fruitlands Museum offers more learning and art-related activities and a chance to view beautiful Central Mass natural scenery.