A great time for resolutions

With record-breaking snowfall already on the ground and an unknown quantity yet to fall, the best New Year’s resolution that comes quickly to mind is to move south as soon as possible. Although moving probably isn’t an option most of us would seriously contemplate, other resolutions seem to fit the snowy start we’ve got on the New Year.

One old favorite, to get more exercise, is a great resolution to put into action in 2009. There’s no need for a membership in one of those expensive athletic clubs this year. You can get all the exercise you want – free – just by stepping outside your door and grabbing the working end of your snow shovel.

You can strengthen while shoveling your porch, deck and sidewalk. You can tighten while clearing off your roof or digging your car out of a snow berm down on Main Street. You can tone while cleaning tons of snow off your car yet again, digging out your mailbox, or even by trudging out to get the mail.

A resolution to live a healthier lifestyle by eating better is perfect for 2009. First of all, it is much more difficult to get to the store to buy those goodies. With icy roads and one-way tunnels through the snow, chances are you’ll opt to stay home instead of making an extra trip to the store when your sweet tooth beckons. With snow causing closures of some businesses and hampering other activities, you’ll probably even have the time to make a healthy meal or two while you’re marooned in the house.

The snow really makes those resolutions about working less and playing more, or spending more quality time with family, much easier to put into action. For those with the right equipment, snowmobiling, downhill skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing are great options – they get you outside and get that adrenaline pumping.

And kids of all ages enjoy the more traditional winter pastimes like building a snowman, having a good snowball fight, building a snow fort, or making a family of snow angels. Snow can add an extra challenge to summertime favorites like tag, duck-duck-goose, and tug-of-war. Don’t forget to try snow baseball, snow golfing, snow curling and even what some call snowling – snow bowling.

One might meet their resolution to have fun by making snow sculptures or hosting a neighborhood Snow Olympics with events like downhill sled races, shoveling contests, and snowy obstacle courses. Or maybe hide items in plastic containers and treat friends to a snowy treasure hunt.

This might also be the ideal year for a resolution to curtail those vices like smoking or drinking. While there is plenty of snowy aggravation that might lend justification to actually increase the occurrence of these particular vices, the continuing snowfall and accumulation on the ground does make getting to the store to replenish stocks nearly impossible at times, which will help curtail your habit.

Actually going cold turkey might be worth a try this year. There’ll be little money left for beer and cigarettes, anyway, what with higher heat bills, the cost of having the roof shoveled, and the loss of income due to snow related work closures. Who knows? By the time the snow melts – sometime next July – you could be completely smoke or alcohol free.

Investing more wisely is a winning resolution for 2009. Good bets for the next quarter include hot chocolate, any company that produces snow shovels, snowplows, four-wheel drive vehicles, or de-icers. There’ll be no Ponzi scheme scares if you invest in snowshoes, gloves, mittens, coats and hats; or in those companies manufacturing ceramic, oil-filled or infrared room heaters.

If none of these resolutions seem quite right, maybe simply resolving to be more positive this year will help get the New Year started right, despite the snow. That’s what folks do over in Big Sky, Mont., where the average annual snowfall is 33 feet. Instead of dreading the daily deluge of snow, townsfolk say they simply choose to go out and enjoy it with childlike enthusiasm – what a perfect resolution.