Robins has tools to give your resolutions staying power Published Jan. 13, 2012 By Holly J. Logan-Arrington 78th Air Base Wing Public Affairs ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. -- Traditionally, the beginning of a new year inspires people to right what's wrong in their lives. For strong-willed, determined types, setting and achieving goals is probably a piece of cake (sorry-poor analogy for those who are weight watching readers). But, for most, it's a challenge. Fortunately, Robins Air Force Base has tools to help. Nikki Hernandez, a nurse educator at the Health and Wellness Center here, said the HAWC offers a variety of ways to help people conquer their New Year's resolutions. "There's our Healthy Weight class and our Fitness Fundamentals class, which are classroom based," she said. "These classes are there to help people work on whatever they need help with. We also have our more physical classes, such as our Run Improvement classes and our Walk-to-Run classes." Additionally, the HAWC offers classes on diabetes and how to have a healthier heart. There is also a smoking cessation course for people who want kick the tobacco habit in 2012, Hernandez said. "Typically, there are a few avenues for those who want to quit smoking or spit tobacco," she said. "They can come to our classes every Wednesday." Hernandez said people can find information about the HAWC's resources in the center's newsletter, "The Telegraph" and on the HAWC's Facebook page. If one's goal is to save more and spend less money, Anthony Pope, a community readiness technician in the Airman and Family Readiness Center, said creating a spend plan is the best place to start. "Call us up and make an appointment," he said. "We will sit down and do a spend plan - which is the new term for budget. You have to know how much money is coming in and exactly where that money is going in order for you to set goals to save." Pope said people need to know exactly how much they can put into a savings account or into an investment account, such as a Thrift Savings Plan or an Individual Retirement Account. Pope said the best approach to managing money is to categorize it. "Manage your money by category as opposed to looking at your bank account and saying, "Oh, I have this much money," he said. "You name that money. You say, this is for my house. This is for transportation. This is for food. You know what your mandatory bills are." Once money is labeled it's easier to know how much can be saved, Pope said. The A & FRC conducts monthly financial management courses which are available to all who have base access, except contractors, Pope added. "This year, we're alternating a debt reduction class and a credit management class every other month," he said. "This month, we're going to have the credit management class. In February, we will have the debt reduction class, and so on." Hernandez explained that having a plan is the best way to ensure success no matter what the goal. "Make a plan, of course," she said. "A lot of people make resolutions without a plan. They may say 'I want to lose weight,' which is pretty vague. It definitely has to be more specific." Putting your goals in writing is also a good way to commit to succeed, said Hernandez. "One of the things we recommend in tobacco cessation is to actually sit down and think about why you want to start this resolution," she said. "Why do you want to quit smoking? Why do you want to lose weight?" Hernandez also recommended people put their resolutions on Post-it notes and stick them in areas where they'll be seen throughout the day.