How to accomplish your New Year's resolutions without leaving your hometown

Blaine Callahan, The Bulletin
·4 min read

Every new year, millions of individuals across the globe strive to make a New Year's resolution. Did you know, however, that 25% people fail their resolutions by the first week? Less than half of everyone who set a New Year's goal for themselves end up sticking with it through the summer.

While it can feel like you're setting yourself up for failure, there's tools on a local level to keep you committed to your resolution. Gyms, fitness classes, local markets, and hobby spots are plentiful throughout Connecticut. You just need to know where to look, and we've gone ahead and looked for you! Here's how you can achieve your New Year's resolution without having to leave your home town.

Sign up with a local gym or fitness class

Nick Taft of Norwich works out on a chest press at Summit Fitness and Sports in the Norwich Business Park.
Nick Taft of Norwich works out on a chest press at Summit Fitness and Sports in the Norwich Business Park.

Year after year, the top New Year's resolution for American citizens is getting in shape and working out. It can be tough, however, to get yourself out of bed and stick to a routine.

A local gym might be the answer. You've got Renegade Fitness, Summit Fitness and Sports, Anytime Fitness, Norwich Fitness Center, and Planet Fitness, and that's just in Norwich.

There's Just Performance Fitness in Killingly and Danielson, Flex Fitness in Plainfield, CrossFit Inguz in Groton, and Hale YMCA Youth and Family Center in Putnam. You're likely to find an Anytime Fitness or Planet fitness in a nearby town, as well.

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You can also sign up for a fitness class if you want a more specialized workout. There's Sessions Wellness Studio in Griswold, offering hour-long sessions with the freedom to pick and choose which workouts you're looking for. Whaling City Athletic Gym in New London has programs for boxing, calisthenics, jiu-jitsu, and youth wrestling. Niantic Yoga Studio has a wide assortment of classes to choose from for a relaxed, satisfying session.

Eat healthier at a hometown farm or market

While working off holiday weight is high on the list of New Years Resolutions, eating healthier often accompanies it. You're likely to find some of the best ingredients at a local farm or shop. Here's a few worth checking out:

A thorough list of farms across New London and Windham counties can be found at ct.gov. You've got Lapsley Orchard in Pomfret Center, Woodstock Orchards, Ekonk Hill Turkey Farm in Moosup, Creamery Brook Bison in Brooklyn, Terra Firma Farm in Stonington, Arrowhead Acres in Franklin, and Scott's Yankee Farmer in East Lyme, just to name a few!

Yoshinaka Mishima of Norwich throws a golf disc on the first hole after a ribbon cutting ceremony for the nine-hole Mohegan Park Disc Golf course in Norwich. Behind him, Sean Tyler of Norwich waits to throw his disc.
Yoshinaka Mishima of Norwich throws a golf disc on the first hole after a ribbon cutting ceremony for the nine-hole Mohegan Park Disc Golf course in Norwich. Behind him, Sean Tyler of Norwich waits to throw his disc.

For butcheries, Salem Prime Cuts is a popular destination. There's also Scott's Meats & Deli in East Lyme and Bob's Windham IGA in Willimantic. For fish, we covered Colchester's Louie's Seafood Market, a great location if you live a distance from the coastline. If you are on the coast, there's no shortage of choices: Sea Well Seafood in Mystic, Brody's Seafood Market and Deli in Norwich, The Mystic Fishery, and Seafood Etc in Pawcatuck.

Be on the lookout this spring for returning farmer's markets as well. Most local towns have a weekly popup, where farmers from around the area bring their fresh produce, meats, and other foodstuffs to sell.

Find a new skill or hobby

Many U.S. citizens vow to learn something new with the start of a new year, but don't always know where to look, or what they would even want to do.

Randy St. Jean, 32, of Lisbon, fishes at Howard T. Brown Memorial Park.
Randy St. Jean, 32, of Lisbon, fishes at Howard T. Brown Memorial Park.

Take up hiking in spring on one of the most beautiful states in the U.S. You've got a slew of trails to choose from at Old Furnace State Park in Killingly, Bigelow Hollow State Park in Union, Moosup Valley State Park Trail, Lantern Hill in North Stonington, and Bluff Point State Park in Groton, just to name a few. Why not try your hand at birdwatching while you're out and about?

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Folks curious about board games, comics, or roleplaying like D&D can swing by a game shop. There's Citadel Game Cellar in Groton, Sarge's Comics & Games in New London and Wonderland Comics in Puntam.

For car enthusiasts or those looking to learn the trade, New London's SUBASE Auto Hobby Shop is a great pit stop. They provide "do-it-yourselfers the opportunity to perform routine auto maintenance indoors, year-round, in a safe, well-equipped environment."

This article originally appeared on The Bulletin: How to accomplish your New Year's resolutions without leaving town