For many people, the new year is a chance to take stock of
their lives and see what they want to change about themselves.
Making New Year's resolutions is a tradition that dates back
to the early Babylonians, who lived in present-day Iraq around
2000 BC. The most popular resolution among the ancient culture
was to return borrowed farm equipment.
These days, people tend to focus on losing weight,
exercising more, quitting smoking or drinking, staying focused
at work, spending more time with family, trying something new
or donating to charities.
Nickel Belt MP Ray Bonin suffered a minor stroke in April.
While the veteran politician has recovered completely, he says
his illness has spurred him to have a healthier lifestyle.
He wants to get more exercise and be more careful with his
diet in 2007. Bonin announced recently he is not running in the
next election, which is widely expected to happen next spring.
"Right now I don't do much exercising because I'm too busy.
When I have an hour, instead of exercising, I try to get some
sleep," he says.
"But in retirement, I plan on walking in the bush, working
in the garden, hunting and fishing. I've recovered 100 percent
from the stroke and I'm in good health. I should be able to
enjoy retirement if there aren't any surprises."
Perhaps Bonin should start exercising with Frances
Caldarelli and Andre Rivest, who were both re-elected to city
council in November. The municipal politicians also want to get
in shape next year.
"My only New Year's resolution is to try to get a little
more fit," says Caldarelli. "I'm thinking about joining a gym.
That's my aim. I'm not going to say I'm going to become thin
and beautiful."
It's hard to have a healthy lifestyle as a city councillor
because there are so many meetings to attend and "you tend to
eat out a lot," she says.
Rivest says he'll try to work out at the newly expanded
sports complex in Hanmer.
"I'm going to try to keep in shape. For January, anyway," he
says. "As much as I'd like to, we're probably going to be quite
busy. But that's going to be my resolution."
As an employee of the Harmony Cafe at the YMCA Centre for
Life, Jennifer Peplinski spends her days watching people on
their way to work out.
But she hasn't once made use of her free gym pass. Peplinski
wants that to change in 2007.
"I've been so busy working I feel like this (the cafe) is
where I get my workout," she says. "Working out is my
resolution because as I get older, it's not as easy to just eat
whatever I want and have no consequences."
Margaret Ghent, who was relaxing at a downtown coffee shop
Wednesday morning, says she isn't making a New Year's
resolution for 2007.
"When I was younger, it used to be about working out more
and losing 10 pounds," she says. "But now I just enjoy life and
keep everything in moderation. There's no need for any drastic
proclamations."
Lisa Mihajic, who was also at the coffee shop, says she
wants to quit smoking for good. The young woman has been
smoking off and on since she was 14.
"I feel it's a great time of year to do it because it's
right after the Christmas holiday and you've done all your
partying. It's time to turn over a new leaf...I'm hoping to
kick it for good this time."
Amateur songwriter Lindsay Webb says she wants to spend more
time with her guitar and write additional songs so she can
finally finish her CD.
Sean Barrette, a media relations officer for Sudbury
Regional Hospital, doesn't make New Year's resolutions, but has
a long-standing list of principles he tries to carry out each
day.
Among other things, he wants to maintain perspective and be
thankful for what he has, honour his family, friends and
acquaintances, teach his son by example to be a decent and
loving person, smile, laugh and love, and treat people the way
he wishes to be treated.
Local 598/CAW president Rick Grylls, who is in the midst of
contract negotiations with Xstrata Nickel, says he wants to
travel with his family in 2007 and spend more time with his two
young grandchildren.
"They (my grandchildren) are little angels, and I deserve to
have their presence because they're just so nice to be around."
Science North media relations officer Nancy Griffin says she
wants to relax more this year.
"I want to be a little bit more balanced in terms of when it's time to work and when it's time to relax. That's always a challenge, eh? A lot of people do a lot of things in terms of diet and exercise, but that's something I kind of do all year."
 
