By Sarah Sussman
What’s the point of making resolutions if you can’t stick to them? Resolutions need to be attainable, but more importantly, they need to be fun. If you live in Edmonton and want to shake things up, here are five resolutions you’ll actually want to stick to this year. [Photo courtesy of Mack Male/Flickr]
Did you resolve to lose weight? Maybe you should resolve to accept your body instead. Stop trying to squeeze into clothes that are too small and stop buying baggy oversized duds that hide your body – it’s time to learn what flatters your figure.
Here’s a cool tip not many people know – Southgate Centre has two personal stylists on staff who will work with you to find clothing that fits your style, budget and body. The fee is a $20 donation to the local non-profit Suit Yourself, so you can help yourself and someone else at the same time.
And ladies – you should probably go get a bra fitting too. A properly fitted bra can do wonders for body confidence. Treat yourself with a trip to Bijou Lingerie & Swimwear, get the girls measured and buy a bra that gets you excited about wearing a bra.
Reducing your carbon footprint isn’t that difficult – just commit to one or two small changes and make it happen.
Eating locally is a great first step. Make a weekly date with the farmers’ market to stock up on fresh local produce and try going meat-free at least once a week. You don’t need to give up your foodie status either. Edmonton has a ton of amazing farm-to-table restaurants featuring seasonal dishes made from regionally-sourced ingredients.
Check out Revel Bistro + Bar and Alder Room for fresh inspirations and head to The Local Omnivore to cure your craving for local protein and smoked meats.
Another way to reduce your footprint is by upgrading your appliances so they’re more energy efficient. Treat yourself to a fancy upgrade at Avenue Appliance which stocks brands like BOSCH, FABER and the Instagram-worthy retro luxury brand Smeg.
If you want to take things even further, Avenue Appliance also sells Urban Cultivators – an appliance that lets you have your very own indoor garden. The unit is about the size of a dishwasher and lets your grow everything from herbs and microgreens to vegetables and flowers. Pretty cool, right?
Edmonton is an amazing city filled with amazing people doing amazing things. So one of the best resolutions you can make this year to show your city more love.
In need of some new clothes? Stop in to local boutiques like Bamboo Ballroom or Shades of Grey. Want to check out some live music? Spend an evening at Café Blackbird supporting local Edmonton artists. Want to scope the best up and coming music acts? Head to the Carrot Community Arts Coffee House.
You can even plan a full day of Edmonton fun by spending an afternoon strolling down Whyte Avenue. The avenue is a hub for local businesses and little Edmonton gems. Drop by the Hexagon Board Game Café for tabletop gaming and coffee or visit Cat Café on Whyte to spend some time cuddling with kittens. Hunt for antique and vintage knickknacks at Junque Cellar and score the perfect gift at Plaid Giraffe. Make sure you finish things off on a sweet note with dessert from Block 1912.
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More fun things to do in Edmonton in 2018:
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Do you hate going to the gym? Don’t force yourself to do it. There are plenty of ways to get exercise without ever having to step foot in the gym.
Launch Pad Trampoline Park is an indoor trampoline park that offers activities like workout classes and trampoline dodgeball, so you can quite literally bounce back into shape.
The Edmonton Whitewater Paddlers offers introductory kayak lessons for those with more of an adventurous streak.
And if you want to try something completely different, head over to the Edmonton Fencing Club and sign yourself up for some beginner fencing lessons. You can also book a 90-minute introductory lesson if you want to (literally) just take a stab at it.
There’s no point in doing something you hate – so if you’ve been thinking of switching careers or picking up a new hobby, now is the time to do it. If you’ve got a flare for the arts, sign up for painting classes at The Paint Spot or check out one of Artra Art School’s one-day courses. Learn to paint a horse with acrylics or a portrait of an elephant in watercolours.
Want to learn how to cook? Fast track your way to chef stardom at Get Cooking Edmonton, which offers instruction on all sorts of cuisines like global, local and vegetarian. The Atco Blue Flame Kitchen is another go-to for budding chefs with classes on tapas, Indian, bread-making and more.
If you want to brush up on your personal or professional skills, the Edmonton Public Library offers cardholders enrolment into three online Gale courses per year. Gale features a massive catalog of classes with everything from software and digital photography to creative writing and gardening.
Start 2018 off right by putting your best foot forward and making resolutions you’ll actually want to stick to. The best way to set yourself up for success is with resolutions that are fun and attainable!
