22 San Diego Uptown News | Jan. 21-Feb. 3, 2011


FEATURE


Five ways Uptown can help keep New Year’s resolutions in check With the help of all the staff here at Uptown News, we compiled some fast and easy ways people right here in your neighborhood can help resolutionists stay on track


By Elena Buckley SDUN Editorial Assistant


New Year’s Eve provides many people with a much-needed second chance each year. One can look back on everything that could have been done differently and make a solemn vow that to alter evil ways and tackle those resolutions. Sometimes that’s a little easier said than done, which is why Uptown News has compiled a bulletproof list with helpful hints from business owners around town that will tirelessly support you in your quest to stay true to your New Year’s resolutions. “There’s always questions of how do I make these changes; how do I not get overwhelmed; how do I not give up when I get discouraged,” Dr. Michael Kimmel said, a licensed therapist in Kensington located at 5100 Marlborough.


CREATE A REWARD SYSTEM According to Kimmel, you have to make


a bargain with yourself. If you go to the gym, take time for yourself. If you reorganize your closet, you get to see a movie, or go out for ice cream, or take a relaxing bath. “It has to be really regular and it has to be fairly soon, so you don’t give up,” Kimmel said.


It also helps if the system is simple and inexpensive. Just a little boost of motivation so you don’t tire of keeping up with your resolutions come February. You also have to prioritize your resolutions and focus on them one at a time or you’ll never really accom- plish what you set out to do.


“Almost anybody is going to give up if


they try to work on 15 things at once,” Kim- mel said. “I mean, good luck.” Kimmel explained that one should ad-


dress what obstacles will stand in the way because there are a lot of things that are going to. The best way around this is to be prepared and turn those obstacles into your support system, he said. You have to know what you want and you have to want the change so you can get out there and continue 2011 fresh and clean.


BATTLE THE BULGE Losing weight is always a big resolution


on New Year’s lists because it’s such a dif- ficult hurdle to overcome after the months of holiday gorging. By taking it in strides and getting help, it can become an easily obtain- able goal.


It may not be for everyone, but a personal trainer is a great way to begin in order to find a workout regime that works. Personal trainers provide motivation from someone who knows and understands which exer- cises will fit with your body type, schedule and budget. Two local gyms, 360 Fitness located at 3959 30th St. in North Park and Fitness To- gether at 4019 Goldfinch St. in Mission Hills


both offer personal trainer services that can help you consistently lose weight and stay in shape as well as provide nutritional and healthier eating guidelines.


CELEBRATE YOURSELF To make time for yourself you have to prioritize. Most resolutions are very practi- cal and involve getting your life in order, but they can also cause you to forget all about taking time off to get your mind and wellbe- ing in order too. This is the perfect time to call friends that you didn’t have time for last year and visit a few restaurants in the area, get coffee and enjoy all of the culinary mas- terpieces you missed during the holidays. For a causal night out visit North Park’s newest pizzeria, URBN Coal Fired Pizza at 3085 University Ave. Enjoy an authentic thin- crust New Haven style pizza for free when you buy a growler of one of their diverse beers during happy hour. Or, if you’re feeling up for something a little different and more intimate get a cup of coffee and a decadent piece of cake at Extraordinary Desserts in Hillcrest at 2929 Fifth Ave. Afster mending some relationships it’s time to focus on all the health and beauty luxuries you never had time for in 2010. If winter isn’t really your season, pretend that it’s summer and visit one of the many tan- ning salons in Uptown. The newly opened Hollywood Tans in Hillcrest at 500 Univer- sity Ave. or iTan at 660 University Ave. both offer a wide range of tanning options includ- ing Mystic Tanning and spa services. Another way to celebrate yourself is to get a massage, a new hair style or an all around make-over to start the year off right with. Knotstop, 1080 University Ave. offers a $55 one-hour massage for first-time customers and it also offers detox body wrap treatments, facials and back facials. Jet Rhys hair salon, 3846 Fifth Ave. has make-up, waxing, eyebrow tinting and a hair restoring scalp massage in addition to cuts, coloring, straightening and styling. Their second location is in Solana Beach at 437 S Hwy 101, where it’s taking all appointments until the Hillcrest renovations are complete.


GET WELL SOON Everyone knows that staying healthy


is important, but it somehow health gets pushed to the back burner and forgotten about until you get sick and start popping Airbornes. Visiting the dentist, seeing a chiropractor, getting acupuncture, taking vitamins—try Great Earth Vitamin Co. at 1050 University Ave. to stock up—or taking a weekly yoga class are all sound, yet simple ways to keep yourself up and running. Yoga connects the mind, body and spirit and can be used to calm or relax you, to lose weight or to recover from an illness or injury. Ginseng Yoga, 2985 Beech St. in South Park and Yoga Oasis, 1450 Univer- sity Ave. in Hillcrest both offer a variety of


classes including Astanga, Vinyasa Flow, Hatha and Gentle Yoga for all experience levels. According to Ginseng Yoga’s website, yoga should be practiced at least three times a week.


Gabriel Kesselman, a licensed acupunc- turist located at Kesselman Acupuncture, 928 Fort Stockton Dr. in Mission Hills said that staying healthy is an issue of commit- ment, and something that you have to go out of your way to want. “There has to be that respect for one’s


self, respect for committing and making that a priority in one’s life,” Kesselman said. “And that’s hard. Expenses come up and things get in the way and you feel busy.”


Kesselman explained that acupuncture regulates the nervous system and stimulates different neurotransmitters. He said that it’s about balancing the body, finding homeostasis and bringing you back to a natural state. You feel more complete within yourself, and despite popular belief, acu- puncture is completely pain-free, he said.


“When people think of needles they think of doctor’s offices, they think of hypodermic needles,” said Kesselman. “The needles we use are about the width of a human hair. You can fit about 20 of our needles inside a doctor’s needle. They are entirely painless. Most people find the treatment very relaxing.” Kesselman also offers acupressure and cranial psychotherapy for those still unsure about the needle treatment. After one treatment you’ll know how your body responds to the treatment and exactly how good it feels to you, he said.


DE-CLUTTER AND REORGANIZE In order to put your life in order for the


New Year it’s helpful to de-clutter before reorganizing. Jan Davis, president of the San Diego National Association of Professional Organizers chapter and owner of Clutterbye, said that as you de-clutter and throw away what you don’t use, you’ll start to naturally sort items you like into categories. Davis stressed that reorganizing isn’t the


hardest part. “Once you do get your de-cluttering done


you really have to stay on top of it just like you have to stay on top of your laundry,” Davis said. “You can’t just keep throwing clothes on your laundry basket and expect them to get washed. You actually have to tend to it and take care of it and make time for it.”


According to Davis, one must always


keep reorganization on the brain. When out shopping, stay conscious of what will fit into your home, what you need and do not really need and what purpose something will


serve down the road. The questions you ask before you make purchases are where it all begins.


As the owner of Clutterbye, Davis


provides her clients personalized service to help make the decisions about what still makes sense to keep in your life right now. She helps get rid of the bread machine you used only once or the themed waffle maker that’s still in its box.


“I don’t just go in and throw everything out. I make people take a good hard look at their stuff,” Davis said.


After assisting with the de-cluttering, Davis suggestions on what furniture to buy, where to get it, and sometimes she’ll


see Resolutions, page 23


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