Procrastination is passé; 2011 is all about living in the moment and fulfilling your dreams! In the big, bad city, there are enough avenues to rewire your neurons into a whole new you!

 

 

Chomp on a healthful lunch: Ditch the refried potatoes and creamy pastas in favour of healthy meals.

 

Avoid processed food and the 3 deadly whites: refined sugar, salt and flour. Stick with whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables, lean meats and fish. 

 

Calorie Care (2412 2100, www.caloriecare.com) delivers optimum nutrition in meals that are weighed according to your fitness goals. International and Indian cuisines keep boredom at bay. 

Diet Delivery (6420 7007 / 7008, www.dietdelivery.in) offers nutritionally designed meals that effectively combine food groups, have zero trans fats and sizeable amounts of fibre. 

 

Learn a new language: You’ve always wanted to globetrot. Now that you’ve saved enough dosh, it’s time to speak like the natives… 

 

The internet has in-depth websites that offer free courses in several languages. Must visit URLs include www.word2word.com, www.distancelearn.about.com and www.wordprof.com. 

The University of Mumbai offers budget friendly courses in French, Italian and Spanish. Call 2652 6091 / 6388.

 

Learn foreign languages at the following institutes:

 

French: 

Alliance Française (2203 5993)

 

Spanish: 

Academia De Español (2678 8930)

Instituto Hispania (2648 2184, 6582 7396)

 

Mandarin: 

India China Chamber of Commerce & Industry (2825 9484, 4005 6948)

Inchin Closer (learnchinese@inchincloser.com)

 

German:

Goethe-Institut (2288 1791, 2202 7542)

 

Italian: 

Indo-Italian Chamber of Commerce (2436 8186 / 90)

 

Work it like it’s hot: No more excuses! Your body is only as good as a well-oiled machine…

 

Invest in wellness through breathwork, meditation and exercise. A home based routine that incorporates yoga or resistance training with light weights, resistance bands and exercise balls is very effective. Supplement with a sport or swimming, cycling and hiking.

 

Take up an annual gym membership after undergoing a free trial. Ensure your trainers are certified and that you are hydrated and stretched during your workout.

 

Alternately, visit a dance academy or fitness institute and pick up capoeira, b-boying or belly dance.

 

Show-off your Latin leg work while you tone your lower body:

 

Salsa:

Salsa India (98203 62629, info@salsa-india.com)

Baile de-Salón (97021 00067, 98339 83669)

 

QuickStep Dance Company (info@learnsalsa.in)

 

Save and invest wisely: Diversify your finances into fixed deposits, bonds, mutual funds and stocks. 

 

Determine your risk tolerance. Research and invest in quality companies. Plan investments to reduce taxes.

 

Hire a financial advisor to help with portfolio management.

 

Give back to the city: Share your wealth and time for social and environmental causes.

 

Teach at a local NGO once a week and share your skills with the less fortunate. Visit www.karmayog.com for a list of volunteering options. Carry your own bags and segregate waste at home.

 

Offer to sponsor a child’s education. Buy a natural composter from www.dailydump.org and make ‘green gold’ at home.

 

Get a health checkup: Consult your family doctor who will advise you about tests for blood sugar, osteoporosis, etc. depending on your age bracket and gender. If you opt for a package over individual tests, the savings are significant. 

 

Metropolis (www.metropolisindia.com) has centres all over the city. 

Life Care Medical Center (2633 2527) has collection centres in the suburbs.

 

Spend more time with the ones you love: Family and friends can’t be replaced. They’re deservedly priceless. Unconditional love is perhaps the only thing money can’t buy, even in 2011!