Patch Bloggers Help You Start The New Year Right

As one year rolls into the next, Patch bloggers have some ideas to help you get 2014 off to a good start.

Whether you're looking for specific goals like losing weight and exercising more, or you're just taking some time to reflect on where you've been and where you're headed, our bloggers have some thoughts for you.

Everyday, Patch bloggers reach out to community members. A Patch blog is a great way to share opinions, post photos, and get the word out about your organization or business.

In her Eve Women's Interest Blog, Colleen Walsh Fong suggests letting the past year's mistakes be a guide to success in 2014.

"By identifying what didn’t work in our lives, relationships, and jobs, and analyzing those efforts, we can learn what not do to in the upcoming year," Fong writes. "We can use our failures like we use 'SIRI' to alter courses of action, making u-turns and changing direction to reach targets."

David Hollingsworth offers a similar viewpoint his HolliWorks Blog, recounting how he lost 80 pounds this past year and outlining his goals for next year. He offers his formula for success for others to use as a blueprint to achieving their goals.

"So, how has your year been? Have you achieved what you set out to do? What have you learned?" Hollingsworth writes. "Good news is...2014 is right around the corner, and now is the ideal time to take action towards your goals. Make a difference in the way you do things, and you'll make a difference in yourself."

In his Over Age 50 Health and Fitness Tips Blog, Woody McMahon emphasizes the need to evaluate three key areas in life: professional work, physical and mental health, and both personal and professional relationships.

"I find the review and evaluation process important to my overall health, well-being and direction for the New Year," he writes. "Taking this opportunity to stop, reflect and then project, I have a much clearer picture of where I want to go and how I am going to get there."

In her Fit in Fairfax Blog, Deborah Corsi puts a fun spin on those New Year's tendencies to lose weight, exercise more, get fit and generally give ourselves an overall tune-up.

Corsi recommendstearing up your list of New Year's resolutions until there's just one left and then adding two words: " 'Have fun.' So you'll have a resolution that reads 'Have fun exercising.' or 'Have fun losing weight.' or 'Have fun cleaning out the garage.' "

To start your own blog on Patch, go to the Home page, scroll to the bottom, click on the green “start your own blog” link, and get going! If you have any problems or questions, contact Community Editor Jane Lemons at jane.lemons@patch.com.