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January Newsletter
Congratulations to our December raffle winners Kim Drury of Essex and Bernadette Marshall of Colchester!
They each chose a $50 gift card to Lenny's Shoe & Apparel, who is featured in our Business2Business program.
This month we're giving two winners a $50 gift card to a Vermont restaurant of their choice! |
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Keeping New Year's Resolutions: Tips from the Experts
Year after year, as January 1st approaches, we make resolutions to change our behavior, our lifestyle, or our future. But what seemed so easy on December 31st can often seem impossible after only a few weeks. Below are some tips from University of Maryland psychiatrists that will help get you in the mindset to succeed.
Take baby steps.
Set realistic goals that are attainable, then take small, easy to achieve steps toward those goals. Don't try to lose 10 pounds in a week or quit smoking cold turkey with no preparation. Instead, try joining a weight loss program and try to lose a pound a week, or join a smoking cessation group. Over time, these small steps add up!
Don't keep it to yourself.
Tell someone you trust about your resolutions. It helps to share your goals with friends, who can gently nudge you in the right direction when you veer off course. Joining a class, sharing a goal with a friend, and adding a level of meaning to our resolutions all help keep us on track when we waver.
Act rather than wait. If you wait to be motivated to work toward your goal, you will likely never reach it. Instead, just get up and go! Put your running shoes on and step outside rather than waiting for enough energy to go for a jog.  Toss out your cigarettes and focus on something else rather than waiting for the craving to go away. By taking action you can rise to meet your goal, and pick up some motivation along the way!
And, lastly...Give them meaning!
Sometimes we make goals that aren't necessarily meaningful to us, but goals we think others want us to achieve. Your goal should be something you really desire to change or achieve, not something that society says is good for you to do or your family members would like to see you do. Without internal drive, you won't be able to stay motivated.
Click here to read more about how to help yourself succeed. |
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Health: Weight loss is achievable!
 One of the most common New Year's resolutions is to lose weight, or to become more fit in general. In addition to following the tips above, check out some of these web-based fitness services that give you the statistics and data you need to plan your diet and weight loss routine accordingly!
DailyBurnFeatured in The New York Times and The Washington Post, this service has paid as well as free components. The apps available for iPhone, Droid, and iPad have a calorie tracking function and a workout log. Some devices support a feature that allows you to scan food barcodes and record the information in your calorie tracker. Not a big mobile user? The online calorie tracker account is free, and can help you stay on track for your nutritional needs.
MyFitnessPalAlso featured in publications like the Wall Street Journal and The New York Times, all of MyFitnessPal's services are free to sign up for. Similar to DailyBurn, the mobile app has a calorie tracker, workout log, and barcode scanner. The website has these same features (minus the scanner) and includes a substantial online community for support, as well as gems like the BMI calculator, a BMR calculator, and a Recipe Nutrition Calculator. With free tools like these you can make the most of your exercise and nutritional plan. |
Road Safety: DOT gets serious about mobile devices
Beginning January 3, 2012, a new rule goes into effect prohibiting commercial drivers from using a hand-held mobile telephone while operating a commercial motor vehicle (CMV). Also, motor carriers are prohibited from requiring or allowing drivers of CMVs to use hand-held mobile telephones.
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Snow Safety: Ice & Snow Clearing
It might be light and fluffy today, but the heavy stuff will get here eventually. When it does, use the below tips to protect yourself and your business.
Clear it regularly.
Keep parking lots, walkways and stairs clear of ice & snow to help prevent injuries. Traction. Pour sand and salt when necessary for traction and to melt icy areas.  Free and clear.
Keep walkways clear and in good condition, especially after a heavy snow or storm. Debris can hide under a few inches of snow. Be sure your handrails and steps are clear and up to code.
Keep records.
Business owners should maintain a record each time they cleared the ice and snow as well as the weather conditions for documentation in case of an injury.
 Plan ahead.
If you hear of impending storms, make sure you've got plenty of salt and sand ready, and consider having your driveway or parking lot plowed twice to prevent accumulation.Roof-Raking Tips Don't neglect your roof.
Use a snow rake to clear your roof when possible - snow buildup can cause damage to your roof and can contribute to a collapse.Be aware, be safe.
Know where the electrical lines are and stay well clear of them with the rake. Also know the location of any skylights or roof vents before beginning to remove snow. Strap in.
If you must get on the roof, move cautiously with the use of a safety harness on steeper slopes to prevent falls. Keep it steady.
Place ladders on a secure footing, and consider working with a partner who remains on the ground when removing snow from a pitched roof. Down, not up.
Always shovel down the roof, since shoveling upward can cause shingle damage, which might lead to leaks.
Don't rake it all off. Leave 2" to 3" of snow on the roof to help avoid shingle damage throughout the winter. Drink up.
Stay hydrated with non-alcoholic beverages and know your limits. Take breaks or alternate with a partner to prevent back strain. |
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 Monthly Raffle
This month we're giving two winners a $50 gift card to a Vermont restaurant of their choice!
We'll announce the winner on Monday, January 23rd on our Facebook page and in our February newsletter, so stay tuned.
Need some help thinking of where you'll go if you win? Check out our B2B page for a list of some of our favorite Vermont eateries.
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Connect With Us
We're all about connecting with our community.
Keep in touch and
stay informed!
Phone: 800.900.0121 Web: insure-vt.com Mobile: m.insure.vt.com |
Want more safety tips?Check out Maine Mutual's Smart Thinking Newsletter! 
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to keep your business safety risks down? |
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