New Year's Resolution Revamp

It is now the end of January so that means most of us have already forgotten about our thought out New Year's resolutions and how we were going to transform in 2014 and be a better, healthier more on time person.

We are going to give ourselves a second chance to revamp the Top 9 most common New Year's resolutions by trying to make them easier while putting a sustainable spin on them.

 

Read on for your New Year's Resolution Revamp!

 

Goal 1: Fitness - Lose the muffin top.

• Walk or bike to work. Avoiding your car just one day a week, according to the World Wildlife Fund, can save 270kg of greenhouse gas emissions per year.

Goal 2: Eat healthier.

• Eat less meat: Try cutting back on meat one day per week. Researchers at the University of Chicago calculated that if Americans were to reduce meat consumption by just 20%, it would be as if the entire country switched from a standard sedan to an ultra-efficient hybrid vehicle.
• Plan out your meals on a weekly basis – this will help you reduce the amount of packaging and food waste created by getting take-out or eating out.

Goal 3: Save money. Be Financially Fit.

• Watching that wallet? Well, start with your home – By programming your thermostat to 20 degrees (Celsius) when you’re at home and 17 degrees when you’re out or asleep you can save up to 15% on your home heating bills and roughly 500kg of greenhouse gas emissions per year. That’s like cutting out a 2,360 km drive – from Montreal to Winnipeg! 
• Buy less of the things you don’t really need. Buy clothes that fit well and you love. Don’t waste your money on trends, use it wisely and use it on good quality, long lasting, sustainable products. You'll save money and prevent the creation of more stuff.

Goal 4: Drink less.

• We can't really help you with this one, but, if you are going to drink, look for brands that are committed to reducing their carbon footprint, like our friends at Red Truck Beer and Tinhorn Creek Vineyards. 

Goal 5: Enjoy life more. Decrease stress.

• Sitting in traffic can actually increase anxiety in a lot of people. Taking the bus is a great way to reduce stress. When you're not behind the steering, you can relax and read a book. An added bonus — taking the bus often costs less than driving and it's better for the environment.
• Turn off the technology and unplug your devices. 
• Reduce the quantity and increase the quality in everything.

Goal 6: Get organized. Be on time.

• Get rid of things you don’t need. Unload your closet at Salvation Army, turn your phone off, clear your life and clear your mind.
• Being busy isn’t being fulfilled – it’s just being busy. Cut back on some of those things you don’t need and you might find you have a lot more time on your hands.
• Go paperless. Reduce waste. Organize your folders on your computer. It might also help your Goal 5.

Goal 7: Give back.

• Use a reusable bag. Keep it in your backpack or purse all the time for any instances you might need. You’re giving the earth a little something every time you say no to a plastic bag.
• Re-gift. Give away thoughtful items you own and love to your friends and family. They'll likely appreciate a gift with meaning more than a trinket.

Goal 8: Spend more time with family and friends.

• Go the farmers market every week with family and friends. You are shopping local, eating fresh and organic (Goal 2), getting the to do list checked off (Goal 6) while spending time with those loved ones.
• Garden with the kiddies – teach them something valuable. Get your knees dirty with them. Eat fresh veggies, you might also help out your muffin top.
• Turning your fitness routine into a social activity will ensure your working on your fitness while also increasing your time with friends.

Goal 9: Offset what you can't reduce.

• This isn't one of the most common resolutions but once you've chosen to reduce your footprint as much as you can, offset what you can't. We've got the tools to help you, and you'll feel better for it.

 

Happy New Year from the Offsetters team!