Healthy, Wealthy, and Wise #3

Healthy

The Winter Arc

Now that the holiday decorations are put away, the New Year's resolutions loom. But wait, there are so many distractions and other things that need attention. Getting to the gym, shaping up, and dropping a few pounds is probably already fading as something doable. But here’s a more realistic approach. It’s called the Winter Arc.

There are no stringent rules, no mandates, no diets to follow, or other boxes to check. Instead, it’s a set of guidelines that are accessible and flexible. Start small. Be realistic. Track progress. It’s not too late. Here’s how to do it.

👉Start small. Focus on behaviors, not outcomes.

We have more control over our day-to-day choices and habits than in trying to achieve big hairy goals. Adding more daily steps- a behavior- is easier than thinking of losing 15 pounds in a month. This is a mindset shift. It’s small. You'll make progress. And burnout is less likely.

👉Be realistic. Avoid strict guidelines and aggressive fitness challenges. That’s how to fail at fitness.

If you want to exercise five out of every seven days, it really doesn’t matter which five days you do it. The goal is five days.

Switch things up. Do a walk one day and maybe strength training another day. It’s okay to adapt to whatever else is going on in life. Being able to adjust your schedule and give yourself reasonable slack actually helps stay on track.

👉Track progress. This will help you stay accountable to the only person who matters: you.

It takes about six months (not 30 days) for a new habit to form. So, the Winter Arc is just the start of building healthy habits for the long haul. Small changes applied over time compound, just like an investment account. Just keep track of what you’re doing. You’ll see how it adds up.

Wealthy

The recently signed Social Security Fairness Act (H.R. 82) repeals the WEP (Windfall Elimination Provision) and GPO (Government Pension Offset) provisions in Social Security. When implemented, the Act will end the reduction of Social Security benefits for public employees who may have worked in the private sector and paid into Social Security.

The Social Security Administration is charged with implementation and will provide guidance and information to affected individuals. H.R. 82 does not impact existing CAPERS, CASTRS, or private pension benefits.

The repeal is retroactive for one year and applies to benefits payable after December 2023.

If you believe you might qualify, it's important to set up an account 'my Social Security'. Here's the link: https://www.ssa.gov/myaccount/. This will make it easier for Social Security to contact you. As might be expected, scams will unfold around this. Know that Social Security will not phone you, send text messages, or email.

Wise

Whether it's a New Year’s resolution or other life-changing goal, friends and family like to help. However well-meaning, they can unintentionally hinder someone’s efforts to make changes. Psychologists say a person’s ability to change depends on motivation, and motivation depends on three things: confidence that we can make the change, our sense of autonomy and agency, and feeling accepted, valued, and supported by others. 

 

We can help others on their journey by expressing the belief they are fully capable, expressing confidence in their choice, and fostering relatedness in offering to be their partner. Other ways include promoting their self-awareness without pestering with questions, offering compassion, not offering solutions without being asked, and to “cheer-lead" your heart out when they have success.

James Cosgrove, CFP, Plano, TX jim.cosgrove@verizon.net 972-489-0262
Jim Cosgrove, Partner, San Jose, CA jimcos42@gmail.com 408-674-6315 

 

        Evidence-based. Rules-driven. Policy-focused.