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JANUARY 2024
HEALTHY, WEALTHY,
& Wise
1 Denver Federal Center Building 45, Entrance E-9, Room 1050 Lakewood, CO 80225
THE ILLUSION OF MONUMENTAL GOALS Prioritize Long-Term Success Over Quick Wins
It’s the time of year when we all race toward our loftiest, most prized goals at full speed, but how often do we actually reach those goals? Even more importantly, how often are we truly happy when we do reach them? When we set these goals, we often don’t think about how the reality of achieving them might not be as glorious as we imagined. It can even be a letdown when we realize meeting these goals doesn’t transform our whole life. Did you know 74% of Summer Olympic athletes only compete in just one Olympics? They train their whole lives for that single competition, and once they finally compete, it’s usually not all they pictured it to be. Most of these incredible athletes don’t get a long-term spotlight or an extended period of triumph. It’s too short to last. It’s the same for many of our enormous goals.
relationships. We want strong connections that last, and giving these bonds more time and effort is the only way to succeed. Building relationships for the long term is undoubtedly an investment, but it usually pays off.
HOW ABOUT WE DO THIS YEAR DIFFERENTLY? INSTEAD OF STRIVING TOWARD LOFTY, ALMOST UNREACHABLE PEAKS, LET’S AIM TOWARD A PLATEAU WHERE WE CAN THRIVE LONG-TERM.
The same goes for financial freedom. Instead of owning multiple homes, cars, and so on, wouldn’t it be much better to wake up every day knowing you have the freedom to do whatever you want? That’s what a plateau would look like rather than just a short-term burst of financial “freedom” where you spend all your money on a Maserati. As for health, those who age the best maintain their health goals consistently instead of following quick fad diets or exercise programs. Health should always be our priority. Consider the following statement: “A healthy person has a thousand
I felt it myself after I finally had my first book published. I had imagined the clouds parting and a ray of sunshine hitting me in this “ah ha!” moment! Well, that wasn’t the case at all. After all the stress, roadblocks, and hard work it took to get it done, I didn’t even feel the need to celebrate it. Instead, I was ready to move on to the next big thing. We’re always looking for the next big thing, so it’s no surprise our feelings of success are often short-lived. So, how about we do this year differently? Instead of striving toward lofty, almost unreachable peaks, let’s aim toward a plateau where we can thrive long-term. When you think about it, you can’t stay on peaks for long. There’s just no room. A plateau may not be as high, but it’s attainable and sustainable. We should work toward more lasting happiness and success, not just a crescendo moment.
wishes, a sick person only one.” What can you do to maintain your good health? What does a healthy plateau look like for you?
Thriving on a plateau doesn’t mean we stop growing or learning new things. It means we rise gently for sustainable contentment. As we continue into 2024, I hope you rethink your New Year’s resolutions and examine whether they aim toward material, short-lived joy, or lifelong happiness. Wishing you the best of luck in the new year! –Ann Vanderslice
This mindset doesn’t have to apply just to our professional goals but also to our
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BREAK A SWEAT WITH LOW-IMPACT WORKOUTS!
Protect Joints, Enhance Strength, and Aid Recovery
Low impact doesn’t necessarily mean low intensity. While these workouts are gentle on joints and ligaments, they can still make you break a sweat! Low-impact workouts involve movements that don’t require jumping, running, or any other activity that can be harsh on your skeletal system. That’s why they are perfect for people starting to exercise, recovering from an injury, or looking to give their joints just a bit more TLC. Here are some examples of accessible low- impact workouts to try. Rowing You’ve probably seen rowing machines at the gym and were too intimidated to hop on. Yet, rowing machines offer a total body workout without the stress on your joints! No weights are required, and rowing is a strength and cardio workout that can vary in intensity depending on the equipment settings. Simply strap your feet in, grab the handlebar, and start rowing! Swimming Perhaps the most popular low-impact exercise is swimming. Injured athletes and older gym-goers have long cherished it because the water allows the body to move without pressure on joints and ligaments. The low-impact workout includes cardio, strength,
and flexibility! Similar to rowing, swimming allows plenty of customization for intensity. Pilates If you’re searching for an activity that’s less cardio-focused and more strengthening, then head to your nearest Pilates class! Pilates is a low-impact form of exercise involving a variety of movements that target your core muscles and improve your body’s alignment. Many people comment on their improved balance and posture after regularly practicing Pilates, which can make you feel and look taller! Cycling Former runners are known to be cycling fans because it offers the same rush and cardio as running but without the joint pain. Whether on a stationary bike at home, in a spin class at the gym, or cycling through the neighborhood, you’re bound to get your heart pumping. Be sure your bike is adjusted correctly for your size and that you follow the correct form to avoid strain or injury. The key to each of these workouts is to practice with proper form and technique. Partner with a professional or a personal trainer to ensure you gain the maximum benefit from your low-impact workout.
RESOLUTIONS REIMAGINED The Secret to Successful Resolutions
you don’t have a clear picture of what you want to achieve, which makes developing a plan almost impossible. When you create concrete goals like “save money on food” or “exercise four times a week,” you have a much better understanding of how to do it! Don’t overdo it. Another surefire way to accomplish nothing is by trying to achieve everything. Instead of spreading yourself thin trying to simultaneously lose weight, save money, learn a new language, travel more, and get a promotion, limit your resolutions to just one or two things instead. This way, you can focus more energy on a few clear objectives rather than fail at numerous vague ones. Find accountability partners. You really don’t have to go it alone! Find a friend, family member, coworker, or whoever shares a similar goal with you and work together toward the resolution. Not
only can you both keep each other on track, but your support of each other will likely strengthen the relationship. When you share your goals with others, you’re both more likely to succeed. Create long-term healthy habits. As you work toward your goals, create new habits you can carry on for life. Instead of short-term drastic diets or overworking yourself, make a new habit of eating more greens or improving your work-life balance. Studies show it usually takes roughly six weeks for a recurring practice to become a new habit. Make those changes that benefit you over the long run! The key is remembering it’s not about changing everything at once, but improving your life with new, healthy routines. When you change how you look at your resolutions, you’ll see they’re much less challenging to follow than those from last January.
We’ve reached the season of New Year’s resolutions once again. And we know that many well-intentioned resolutions often don’t make it past February. Before you start setting goals that you know deep down are out of reach, let’s look at a few ways to create realistic and sustainable goals. Make clear goals with complete plans. The main reason most people don’t accomplish their resolutions is because these goals are too vague. With a vague goal like “save money” or “lose weight,”
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KUPATA’S ROAD TO FAME
The Stray Dog Who Captured the World’s Heart
We often think dogs live the good life, as they seem to do nothing but play, eat, and sleep. Yet, some dogs are busy at work, some without being asked to do so! Take Kupata, the stray dog in Georgia, for example. This street-roaming pup takes it upon himself to guard a crosswalk all day, every day.
care for and feed the stray dog. His consistently round belly shows just how loved he is. You’ll even see a massive painting of the beloved animal on a nearby building.
Now, after tireless days of guarding his street, Kupata has his own doghouse provided by the city with an accompanying star on the road with his name on it. Kupata’s dedication made him go viral on social media, and now travelers from all over the world come to see Kupata. Don’t distract him, though. He’s busy at work! Sadly, even though Kupata remains cherished by his community, thousands of stray dogs in the country need shelter, food, and companionship. According to activists, around 500,000 stray dogs and cats roam the streets of Georgia. While stray animals may get a bad reputation for being dangerous or
In the town of Batumi, this stray stays by a single crosswalk and forces traffic to stop to allow pedestrians to cross the street. He’s especially protective of children! If Kupata sees a car isn’t slowing down, he’ll bark at the driver as they drive away and run to protect the person crossing the street. One local even shared that Kupata will cross the road with children and stay at the park to protect the youngsters. Kupata, which in English means “sausage,” has become a staple in the community due to his hard work, and locals all pitch in to
unfriendly, Kupata proves that even these furry friends deserve love and recognition.
Train Your
Bell Pepper Sandwich
BRAIN!
Inspired by TheSpruceEats.com
The new year is all about new and fresh beginnings. So, why not start the year with a quick, refreshing meal that is both flavorful and nutritious?
INGREDIENTS
• 1 medium bell pepper, any color • 2–3 tbsp cream cheese • 1 tsp whole-grain mustard • 2 oz ham (or other deli meat), thinly sliced • 1 1/2 oz Swiss cheese, thinly sliced
• 1/2 small cucumber, cut into 6–8 thin slices • 2 tbsp guacamole or a few slices of avocado • Dash of salt and pepper
DIRECTIONS
1. On a cutting board, remove the stem of the bell pepper with a sharp knife. Cut the pepper in half lengthwise and remove the ribs and seeds. 2. Lay the pepper halves on the cutting board and spread cream cheese inside each half. Spread whole-grain mustard on top of the cream cheese. 3. Layer your deli meat, cheese, cucumbers, and guacamole on each bell pepper half. Add a dash of salt and pepper, then combine both halves and serve!
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Why Reaching Your Goals May Not Bring Lasting Happiness PAGE 1 Elevate Your Fitness With Joint-Friendly Workouts Simplify Your New Year’s Resolutions PAGE 2 Meet Kupata, Georgia’s Street-Roaming Pup Hero Bell Pepper Sandwich PAGE 3 Mayan ‘Model’ Looks PAGE 4
WHAT DID MAYANS CONSIDER TO BE ‘MODEL’ LOOKS?
Beauty and fashion trends come and go throughout the years, with some — such as matte makeup, fringe, and ripped jeans — even making comebacks in recent years. The ancient Mayans also sought to be beautiful, but their practices were different compared to modern standards, as they were willing to completely change their bodies to conform to their beauty standards. A smile is a universal expression of happiness, which was also true in Mayan culture. However, the difference came with what you saw when they smiled, as Mayans enjoyed shaping and filing their teeth to sharp points. They then drilled holes through the center of their teeth to insert gems. Tattoos were also considered stylish among Mayans, but they weren’t like modern tattoos. The big difference in their skin designs was that they were achieved by actually carving into the skin to create 3D wounds.
Hair accessories were big during Mayan times — really big. It wasn’t unusual for women to construct large, elaborate headdresses adorned with precious metals and gems and shaped to honor local animals.
create crossed eyes, they put a band around the heads of children with a bead suspended right in front of their eyes. They continued this until the children were permanently cross-eyed.
Another Mayan beauty standard relates to one of their prized crops: corn. It is said that Mayans correlated beauty with face and head structures that were long and narrow, much like an ear of corn. To accomplish that, Mayan families bound the heads of their infant children between two boards while the skull was growing to achieve an extended cranial shape that would last the child’s whole life.
Noses were also a central sign of beauty among Mayans, and for them, the bigger the better. A large, hooked nose symbolized their bird-like gods and was so important to them that they added specially designed artificial nose bridges that were often multicolored and decorated with gems.
Beauty is influenced by cultural values, and the Mayans invested a lot of time, energy, and creativity to achieve their vision of beauty, even if that vastly differs from today’s standards.
Eyes are a universal source of beauty, but the Mayans thought the ultimate set of beautiful eyes were crossed eyes. To
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