Whether you’re happy or sad about the fact, Christmas is over

and done with until next August (or whenever the shops start prematurely

selling Christmassy bits again!) and 2011 looms.

Will you pledge a resolution this New Year’s Eve?  Will you quit something the hard way - alone... or will you need a bit

of support?  Add your comments and let

us know.

There are several local organisations that can help and

support you if your resolutions include becoming “the new you”. 

Tracey, of Fareham’s Light Balance, is

a qualified practitioner of a range of healing and therapeutic methods and

for 2011 she is offering the Choose Slim programme:

"Is your New Years Resolution to lose weight? The biggest

challenge with New Year's resolutions is always will power.  Perhaps you've tried conventional weight loss

methods in the past and have found it difficult to sustain your willpower.  Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) frequently

works when nothing else will, because it deals with the root causes of

self-sabotage, weight issues loss etc - without the need for willpower.  EFT puts you in control, enabling you to

consciously and deliberately connect your body with your unconscious mind, and

resolve those inner conflicts which might so often have undermined your goals

and dreams in the past.  Choose Slim, Fareham,

will be running 12 week weight loss courses starting in January 2011, and have

a one time offer of a £45 discount for those booking onto their January courses.”

Vanessa Timms runs Fareham’s Uresolve

– hypnotherapy and alternative treatment solutions to all sorts of, as she

calls it, “life’s ups and downs”.  Uresolve

offers a number of options to help with weight loss, quitting smoking and

anxieties or phobias. I asked Vanessa for her thoughts on New Year’s

resolutions and she offered this advice:

“What can I say to local people. Mmm! Really think about

your New Year resolutions. Don't waste your money hoping for a quick fix to

your problem. There never is one, whether it's weight, smoking or going for

that much wanted promotion. We all need to be committed to and work

towards our hopes and dreams; be ready to put in much effort, you can

do this with the support of Hypnotherapy, complimentary or alternative

therapies. There is something out there to suit everyone. Unfortunately

some people make claims of miraculous treatments; there is no such thing. The

miracle comes from within; when a person can make changes and feel the sense of

exhilaration on achieving their goal. Merry Christmas & Happy New

Year.”

Wickham Acupuncture, based at the shopping/chemists/Birchall---Haydock/business-9396966-detail/business.html">Birchall & Haydock

Pharmacy in Wickham Square,

is run by Julie Dakin.  Julie has trained

extensively in Chinese Acupuncture and uses it to help with

all sorts of conditions and problems, as she explains:

“Acupuncture treats your mind and body

together.  Here at Wickham Acupuncture we can help physical problems

such as pain, migraines and repetitive strain injuries but also stress, panic

attacks and feeling low.  I also treat a

lot of people for fertility issues - both male and female and don't worry - the

needles don't go where you might think! 

Acupuncture is not painful in fact it usually makes people feel really

relaxed and some fall asleep when the needles are in place.”

Julie advises that you choose your

practitioner carefully and consult the British Acupuncture Council for a list

of members.

Gina Bate is Fareham’s central

Lighter Life counsellor.  Lighter Life is

a weight loss programme that aims to get quick results but also offers group

sessions designed to help you maintain your ideal weight.    

Hampshire Counselling is run by Maureen Fyffe who has over

thirty years experience of addiction counselling.  She offers private, confidential, one-to-one

sessions designed to look at the reasons behind many different lifestyle

difficulties.  Maureen also offers a free

initial consultation giving you the opportunity to see if it’s right for

you.

Fareham Pharmacy on Highlands Road

has set up a smoking cessation service. 

The programme covers an eight week course that only costs a single

prescription charge (currently £7.20). This covers all the quit smoking

products throughout the programme. 

Anyone exempt from prescription charges will receive this service free

of charge!

Whatever cross you bear on New Year’s Day, even if it’s just

a hangover or another helping of turkey curry, I hope 2011 brings you simple

happiness.