It’s the new year: are you ready? Have you made some New Year’s resolutions that you are already second guessing? Well don’t: we are here to help.
If you are looking to improve your well-being, you have many avenues to choose from. Fitness can be had in the organized form, such as joining one of the Island’s wonderful fitness centers. Your choices include the YMCA of M.V. or Be Strong in Oak Bluffs, the Mansion House in Vineyard Haven, Blitz Fitness and Om of Motion in West Tisbury, or The Workout at the airport.
You might also choose to take some formalized classes at one of the many yoga studios on the Island or Pilates at either of the Island’s two studios, Evolve in Edgartown or Vineyard Pilates Center in Vineyard Haven. Keep in mind our Senior Centers in Edgartown, Oak Bluffs, Vineyard Haven, and West Tisbury’s Up Island Council On Aging all offer some form of fitness classes, generally at a reduced rate. Call the centers directly for more information or check the complete listing in the monthly 55 Plus section.
If organized or instruction-based fitness is not your thing, why not buy the pocket-sized book, “Walking Trails of Martha’s Vineyard” by William Flender, which highlights 53 walking trails that you can set yourself to accomplish by year’s end. Purchase this guide, or perhaps a guide on yoga or some other how-to or self-help book at either Bunch of Grapes in Vineyard Haven or Edgartown Books in Edgartown, and get your New Year’s resolution of to a great start.
If slimming down or eating healthier in 2013 is your goal, you don’t have to navigate these waters alone. We have several nutrition and weight loss specialists on the Island who can help you achieve your goals more easily. To start with, there is the well-known Vineyard Nutrition, which is run by registered dietitians Josh Levy and Prudence Athearn Levy. This husband-and-wife duo, who both hold masters degrees in human nutrition, work individually to help you achieve your lifestyle change, be it weight loss or promoting a healthier you by decreasing your cholesterol, blood pressure, or blood sugars. To reach them in their Edgartown office, call 508-627-3235 or visit them on the web at vineyardnutrition.com.
Another nutrition option is Laura Denman, who owns Abundant Life Nutrition in West Tisbury. Ms. Denman is Certified Life Coach, a registered dietician, and loving mother of three young children who can help you to overcome the daily obstacles that stand in your way to reaching your highest potential in health and wellness. You may reach her to set up your one-on-one session, a video conference, or to find out more about her group sessions by calling 508-212-4950 or visit her on the web at abundantlifenutrition.com.
There are also weight loss centers to help you along the way to a slimmer you, such as the Vineyard Weightloss Center on Union Street in Vineyard Haven, which can be reached at 508-693-8800.
Whatever your resolution, I wish you the best, happiest, and healthiest New Year. I would like to thank you all for a wonderful three and a half years of an amazing time getting to know all of you while encouraging local shopping. The Shop Talk column is coming to an end, but I hope to continue to see all of you supporting our local businesses in the future.
