How to Keep your Fitness Goals this New Year

Posted on January 5, 2016October 17, 2018 by admin

Fitness Goals
Happy New Year! If you’ve made a resolution to hit the gym in years past, you know just how hard this goal can be to keep. In fact, approximately 88% of people fail to stay true to their resolutions. Why is it so hard!?

Let’s face it, the goals of a resolution are often too bold, too fast. It’s easy to burn out if you try to go from the couch to the visiting the gym four days a week.

Instead of setting an unrealistic exercise goal, it’s easier on your body (and your willpower) if you resolve to gradually incorporate fitness and health goals into your overall lifestyle. Here are some tips to start:

Start Slowly
Rigorous goals tend to lead to sporadic workouts – you might workout 4 times one week and then skip the next two! It’s actually better to exercise less, IF you continuously keep up with it. For instance, your busy schedule may make it unrealistic to visit the gym every weekday, so don’t try to. Instead, make it goal to get in three workouts per week.

And your workouts don’t even have to involve the gym at all! Find treadmill and weights tedious? Exercise in other ways, such as walking around your neighborhood, hiking, gardening, taking a dancing class… Choose activities you enjoy and they won’t be such a chore. Just make sure to add it to your calendar so you don’t forget to stick to your new routine.

Maintain Your Goals
At some point, everyone starts to feel burnt out. But that doesn’t mean you should give up. Remind yourself why you’re doing this—regular exercise helps prevent illness, depression and reduces the effects of aging. If you need some extra encouragement, use a support system of friends and family. Tell people what you’re doing so they can cheer you on and celebrate your milestones with you. Hiring a personal trainer or scheduling workouts with a friend can be a huge motivator as well, since this adds accountability (and maybe even some friendly competition) to your sessions.

Make your workouts as convenient as possible to minimize excuses. Find a gym close to your home or work and pack your gym bag the night before so you’re ready to go in the morning. If you prefer to work out in privacy, buy a few hand weights and exercise DVDs and start exercising on your own timetable.

If you feel yourself slipping, try recommitting yourself with shorter goals. It’s much easier to say “I’m going to work out twice this week” than “I’m going to work out twice every week for the rest of my life.” Shorter goals get accomplished faster, giving you the satisfaction you need to set another short goal, then another… These goals will help build the momentum to carry you forward.

It takes 21 days to form a new habit and 6 months for it to become part of your personality. Push yourself until it becomes second nature!

Reward Yourself
Accomplished goals should be celebrated so you can start to associate exercise with more pleasant things. Reward your weekly milestones with something small, like treating yourself to a nice dinner. Bigger monthly goals can be rewarded with a massage, manicure, new clothing or something equally enticing. You should always have something pleasant to look forward to, besides being in better shape of course.
Healthy Diet

Improve Your Overall Health
Once you feel confident that you have a good grasp on exercising, it’s time to start thinking about more ways you can live healthier. The first natural step is to improve your diet. But forget crash diets full of strict rules. Instead, simply add healthier foods into your diet and avoid unhealthy foods.

For instance, rather than giving up carbs altogether, try cutting them out of one meal per day. Replace that breakfast bagel with low-fat yogurt and fresh berries. The effort of eating at least one healthy meal per day is much easier than trying to follow the rules of a diet for every single meal you eat. As time progresses, you can incorporate more and more healthy foods into your diet. But remember to let yourself cheat one day per week so you can keep your cravings satisfied without letting them rule your daily diet.

On top of diet, getting a full eight hours of sleep each night improves your clarity, mood and stress levels. Even on your busiest days, leave yourself adequate time to get a full night of sleep so you can tackle your to-do list with renewed energy the next morning.

With these tips in mind, we are wishing you a happy, healthy New Year and the best of luck on your fitness goals for this and every year going forward!

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5 New Year’s Eve Celebration Safety Tips

Posted on December 31, 2015October 17, 2018 by admin

Everyone celebrates New Year’s Eve, regardless of religion. With a boisterous national celebration occurring, it’s only right that you cut loose and have fun with friends. New Year’s Eve is a time to celebrate a year gone by and another year to come. The festivities should be enjoyed to their fullest, with a few precautions of course to protect you and your loved ones. Let’s take a look at 5 important safety tips to keep in mind at the end of the year.

Drink Responsibly this Holiday
1. Never leave your drink unattended.
Remember this particularly if you go out to a bar, club or party with company you don’t know well. In public venues, you should always keep your drink with you or within your site at all times. If you need to excuse yourself from the table you should finish a drink, or leave it with a trusted friend, before getting up and leaving it unattended. You’d be surprised how many people consider spiking drinks to be a good time.

2. Never drink and drive.
This one goes without saying, but we would be remiss if we didn’t remind everyone to drink responsibly. This is dangerous every day of the year, but it becomes increasingly more common on New Year’s Eve. Always appoint a designated driver, call a cab, Uber or Lyft, or use the AAA Holiday Safe Ride Program if it is available in your area. And even if you yourself are being responsible, be wary of those around you who may be less responsible. With so many intoxicated drivers on the roads, you may choose to avoid driving all together and opt for a small get together at home instead. If you do go out, try to avoid driving during peak hours such as right after midnight and around 2 a.m., when the bars shut down.

3. Never attend parties alone.
If you happen to be celebrating out on the town, remember the simple phrase “safety in numbers.” A group of friends can keep you safe from a variety of dangerous situations. Make sure everyone in the group has a charged cell phone in case you get separated from each other.

4. Be aware of your surroundings.

It’s safer to be in well-lit areas with your friends than it is to be in dim, sparsely populated areas. If you notice something potentially dangerous occurring, do your best to prevent it and alert a security guard or police officer if needed.

5. Remember your pets!
If you’re hosting a party at home, don’t forget about the well-being of your furry friends. Even though fireworks are illegal in residential areas, some people set them off regardless. The loud noise from the fireworks, or even the ambient noise of the party itself, could be frightening for some pets. Your pet may feel safer tucked away in its kennel or in your bedroom, where it’s quieter.

With safety in mind, enjoy this fun, exciting night of celebrations.
Happy New Year!

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Annual Christmas Turkey Giveaway – 2015

Posted on December 27, 2015October 17, 2018 by admin

Alliance employees joining together on Christmas morning.

As part of our Alliance Cares program, every year, Alliance Insurance partners with Harrison Park Elementary to spread Christmas joy during the holiday season with our Christmas Turkey Giveaway. On Christmas Eve, the whole office gathers together, bringing our family and friends, and assembles 100 turkey dinners, which we then provide to 100 families who would otherwise have no Christmas dinner for their children.

Part of the turley dinner, and a note of well wishes This tradition began after Ryan Kyes, the president of Alliance, adopted his young children, who grew up in the low income Harrison Park area. Ryan wanted to help his children give back to the community that helped raise them, making sure that gratitude and charity were central to their outlook. He also wanted to make sure he raised his young children with an understanding of what Christmas is really about. So, he combined these two goals and began what would become a beautiful tradition. Every year, the Kyes children “adopted” a family in need from their old neighborhood, sharing half of their presents with this family and helping them experience the joy of Christmas.

The turkey dinner assembly line

After starting Alliance Insurance, Ryan wanted to expand this opportunity to give. Beginning with that first family, the turkey giveaway has grown each year, now reaching 100 families from the community where his daughters spent their elementary years.

But this program does not just benefit the families receiving. It has grown into a wonderful annual experience for our whole office. We have the opportunity to begin our Christmas Eve remembering what the holiday is truly about – Christ’s birth. By beginning our Christmas celebration with acts of generosity and compassion, we are able to experience the joy of giving and see the joy of receiving in the happy faces of those we help.

With a small sacrifice of our time, we receive something much greater: a beautiful reminder of the reason for the season. What a priceless moment, providing 100 families with the opportunity to give thanks to Him as they enjoy a meal that is offered in celebration of His birth.

Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year!

Some verses given to the family with their meal:
Hebrews 13:16 “Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.”

1 John 3:17 “But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him?”

Fire Safety During the Holidays

Posted on December 23, 2015October 17, 2018 by admin

‘Tis the season for turkey, stockings and family. The month between Thanksgiving and New Year’s is a favorite for many. The changing weather calls for cozy sweaters and warming up by the fireplace in the company of loved ones you may not get to see year-round. However, the holidays also bring an increased risk of home fires.

In fact, the US Fire Administration has reported an average of 156,000 house fires per winter holiday season, resulting in over 600 deaths, 2,600 injuries and $900 million in property damage. Thanksgiving is reported to be the number one day for home cooking fires across America. But don’t panic yet! Though the danger is very real, there are simple steps you can take to significantly reduce your risk of fire.

Cooking In the Kitchen Christmas Baking
The leading cause of kitchen fires is unattended cooking. Always stay in the kitchen when frying, grilling or broiling food. You don’t need to stand like a watchdog while simmering, roasting, baking or boiling; however, stay inside of your home at all times and monitor occasionally.

Use the back burners on your stove whenever possible and turn pan handles away from you to prevent accidental tipping. Prevent even more accidents by wearing snug clothing with sleeves that do not dangle dangerously close to your stovetop. Keep towels, oven mitts, potholders, paper products, wooden utensils, food packaging and other flammable objects away from any hot appliances.

If a small grease fire ignites inside of a pan, don an oven mitt and carefully slide a lid over the pan to smother the fire. Immediately turn off the burner and leave the lid in place until the pan is completely cool to prevent restarting the fire. Never pour water onto a grease fire! Any splashing can spread burning oil around your kitchen.

Winter Fire Safety for Children
Teaching your children about fire safety has never been more important than when you have a house full of people and a huge meal to cook. You may not have as much time to keep a watchful eye on your young children every second of every day during this hectic season. Relying on family and friends to help supervise children is a good start, but directly teaching children about fire safety can save lives.

Explain to children that cooking over a hot stove can be dangerous. Wave their hands a safe distance over the burner so they can feel the heat. Each family should set rules that work for their household. One rule you may consider is that children are not allowed within three feet of a heated stove or oven, along with space heaters, blazing fireplaces or any other type of heating device. This will protect them from burns and prevent them from accidentally setting an uncontrolled fire.

Protecting the Rest of Your Home
Fires, though most common in the kitchen, can happen anywhere in your home. Install smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors around your house. For added protection, position a fire extinguisher on every floor. Ensure that all flammable objects are kept away from fireplaces and heating

Christmas Tree

If a fire does start in your home, call 911 immediately. While you wait for the fire department to arrive, you may choose to try to contain and/or extinguish a small fire that is burning in a single area. Keep a safe distance as you spray a fire extinguisher or use any other means of firefighting. If you have any doubt at all in your ability to perform such a task, vacate your home as soon as possible. Close any doors behind you to prevent the fire from spreading. Ensure that every person and pet is out of the house, and grab a phone on your way out in case you need to reach out to loved ones or local authorities.devices, such as space heaters or radiators. Turn off portable heaters when you go to sleep or leave the room/house.

Staying alert to the potential dangers of fires during the holiday season is the first step to protect your home and loved ones. Taking extra precaution during such busy times goes a long way toward keeping everyone safe. With these fire safety measures in mind, enjoy your holiday celebrations with delicious meals and delightful company!

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Overcrowded House During the Holidays?

Posted on December 23, 2015October 17, 2018 by admin

Shopping, baking, gift wrapping… the holidays are a busy time! And if you are like many, the holidays can also be a crowded one. This time of year often means hosting friends and family for the holiday festivities, and if your home typically welcomes holiday visitors, things can get a little crowded. An influx of people can lead to a higher risk for danger and injury, particularly for young children and pets.

The US Fire Administration has reported an average of 156,000 house fires per winter holiday season, resulting in over 600 deaths, 2,600 injuries and $900 million in property damage. As if that wasn’t enough, more than 2,400 children under age ten are admitted to hospitals across the country for electric shocks and burns caused by tampering with wall outlets.

Safety precautions should not be overlooked during the holidays. Ensure that small children, cooking food, and open flames are always under supervision. You may want to make a list of emergency contacts and medical information for everyone staying in your home in case a trip to the doctor or hospital is necessary. Let’s review some simple things you can do to keep your home safe for visitors.

Prepare for Children

If you have very young children visiting your home, you may want to do a bit a childproofing. Purchasing safety covers for electrical outlets is a simple solution to a potentially big risk. Electrical cords should be neatly coiled and stored safely against walls to prevent tripping. Make sure risky items, such as medicines, chemicals, small choking hazards, candles, matches or breakables, are out of reach or locked away.

Children should be supervised as often as possible, particularly in the kitchen or near space heaters. Make a rule that kids must stay at least 3 feet from stovetops, cooking appliances and heating devices. This will protect them from burns and reduce the risk of fire.

Decorations can also be a source of danger, especially sharp and breakable décor (unless it is out of reach). Christmas tree lights and ornaments should be kept off the ground and lowest tree branches to avoid kids from yanking on the tree. Explain to children that decorations are not toys and should not be played with. Providing a supply of toys may help entertain children and distract them from enticing decorations.

Prepare for Pets
Your pets are beloved members of your family, and you naturally want to ensure their comfort and care. However, with so many visitors disrupting their daily routine, the holidays may be an overwhelming time for your pets. To keep them relaxed, try to maintain as many pieces of your pets’ routine as possible, such as regular meal times and walks. You may also find that your pet takes comfort in the privacy of a crate or your bedroom.

Keep in mind, an over-stimulated, nerve-rattled dog may not take well to kids pulling tails and fur. Even the best behaved family dogs have a limit. Adults should always supervise children around pets to monitor the safety of both the pet and the child. If a dog appears to be annoyed, call it into an empty room for a break from the holiday excitement.

Tinsel, garland, ribbon, string and other wrapping materials can also be very alluring to pets, especially cats. But these fun strands can cause choking, strangulation or serious digestive tract issues if swallowed. Pets should be shooed away from munching on Christmas tree branches or sipping the water at the base of the tree. If stubborn pets continue to come back, you may try encircling the tree with a pet gate. Apart from your tree, many holiday plants (such as Poinsettias) are poisonous to pets. Ensure that these are out of reach, particularly away from curious cats.

The holidays are a fun and joyous time of year. Simple safety precautions can prevent risks from ruining your merriment. Ask your guests to help safeguard the house, children and pets to ensure a happy, healthy holiday season for everyone!

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Black Friday Safety Tips for Holiday Shoppers

Posted on November 24, 2015October 17, 2018 by admin

Black Friday Crowd Thanksgiving is time for family traditions, and turkey of course. Maybe you watch the parade on TV while you cook. Maybe you go around the table saying what you’re thankful for. Or maybe, like millions of Americans, you relish in Black Friday shopping bargains. The biggest shopping day of the year, and the unofficial start to the holiday season, stirs shoppers into a frenzy of mapping out sale items while fighting against the inevitable turkey-coma that follows any big Thanksgiving meal.

With all of this stirred up activity and drive to buy, buy, buy, it’s no wonder that Black Friday can be dangerous. The sheer amount of car and foot traffic is risky enough, but sleep deprivation is added on top when sales begin at midnight or 4 a.m. Then there are those who take advantage of the weary-eyed shoppers; thieves and pickpockets are frequenters of the Black Friday hullabaloo. Follow these safety tips to protect your money, purchases and yourself on Black Friday.

In the Parking Lot

Lock your doors and roll up the windows any time you leave your car.
If you’re shopping while it’s dark outside, avoid parking in secluded areas and park under a light when possible.
Take note of where you parked so you don’t spend extra time wandering the parking lot in search of your car.
Dig your keys out of your purse or pocket as you leave a store so you don’t have to fumble around in the parking lot. Perform a quick check underneath your car and in the backseat before getting into your vehicle. You may choose to keep a small can of pepper spray on your key ring.
Loading your arms with bags can limit your range of vision and prevent you from defending yourself if you get into a sticky situation. Bring a friend or spouse, ask a store employee for assistance or make several trips to your car so you don’t have to carry too much.
Lock your purse inside of your car (make sure your keys are in your hand first) before loading in your purchases. Never leave you purse unattended in a shopping cart.
Load purchases directly into your trunk to prevent thieves from seeing what you have (pertains mostly to shoppers who plan to travel to several stores). Never leave anything of value in your back seat or anywhere else in plain sight. Hide items before leaving a location; if you move them into your trunk once you reach your destination, thieves can see that you’ve left valuables unattended.
Always look both ways before backing out of a parking spot. A bigger truck or SUV to your side may block your view of an oncoming car, so back out slowly.

In the Store

Keep your purse zipped and close to your body. Do not leave your purse or wallet unattended in a shopping cart.
If you have another shopper with you (particularly a child), plan ahead of time where to meet if you get separated. Cell phone reception may be spotty with the influx of people in one area.
Do not push or shove anyone to reach a particular item. This type of activity can cause others to trip and fall.
Use a credit/debit card so thieves cannot take a wad of irreplaceable cash from you. If possible, only carry one credit card; it’s easier to cancel one card than to cancel all of them if your wallet is stolen. To that note, leave all personal effects at home. Carry only what you’ll need to shop.
Do not take your credit card out until the cashier is ready to receive payment. This will prevent someone from extracting your account information while looking over your shoulder.

If you choose to shop online from the safety of your personal computer, make sure that you only shop from trusted, verified retailers to prevent identity theft. However you choose to spend Black Friday, stay safe and enjoy your holiday!

Tips for Avoiding Fires on Thanksgiving

Posted on November 18, 2015October 17, 2018 by admin

Thanksgiving is the number one day for home cooking fires across America, according to the National Fire Protection Association, with Texas taking the lead for the highest number of fires occurring on the beloved holiday. It’s easy to get sloppy with safety while cooking for such a large group of people; there are simply too many things to worry about in order to get your feast just right. But safety should never be forsaken. Ensuring the safety of your kitchen just makes the pumpkin pie that much sweeter.

Use Cooking Appliances Properly
The leading cause of kitchen fires is unattended cooking. Stay in the kitchen at all times when frying, grilling or broiling food. For simmering, roasting, baking or boiling, feel free to set the table and finish other household chores, but remain at home the whole time. If you find that you are absentminded while cooking, set a timer to alert you when food must be checked.

When cooking, wear clothes that fit snugly. Dangling sleeves can easily catch fire on the stovetop. To that end, keep oven mitts, potholders, wooden utensils, paper products, towels, food packaging and other flammable objects away from the stove as well. Leftover food debris on your stove or in your oven increases the risk of fire, so keep your cooking appliances clean.

Preventing and Treating Burns
Accidentally knocking over a pan full of hot food can cause unpleasant burns, but these scenarios are easy to prevent. Using the back burners whenever possible and turning pan handles away from you reduces the risk of accidental tipping. All cords to countertop appliances, such as a mixer or blender, should be neatly coiled and stored away from the counter’s edge.

Wearing snug long sleeves and closed-toe shoes reduces your skin’s exposure to hot liquids and cooking surfaces. However, protecting your hands is key to your ability to continue preparing for the holiday. Always wear oven mitts or use potholders when moving hot food vessels.

In the event that you do get burned, treat it immediately by submerging your skin in cool water for three to five minutes. If the burn is larger than your fist or looks to be higher than a first degree burn, seek medical help as soon as possible.

If your clothes catch fire, partake in the good ‘ole stop, drop and roll. Stop what you are doing right away, drop to the floor (with your hands covering your face for protection) and roll side to side to put out the fire. Once again, cool any burns with water and seek medical attention if necessary.

Fighting or Fleeing From Fires
Fire Safety If you think you can safely fight a small fire, there are certain techniques you should use. Always keep an oven mitt and non-glass lid nearby for such occasions. If a small grease fire starts in a pan, don the oven mitt and carefully slide the lid over the pan to smother the fire. Immediately turn off the burner and leave the lid in place until the pan is completely cool. Removing the lid prematurely can restart the fire. Remember to never pour water into a grease fire! It can cause burning oil to splash and spread the fire.
If a fire starts in your oven or microwave, leave the door shut and turn the appliance off immediately. Do not open the door until the fire is completely out. If an appliance fire should happen in your kitchen, have the oven and/or microwave inspected by a professional before using again.

If you have any doubt at all about your ability to contain or extinguish a fire, vacate your home right away. Close any doors behind you as you leave to prevent the fire from spreading further. Alert any other people and ensure that they exit as quickly as possible. Grab a phone on your way out so you can call 911 for help.

The Dangers of Turkey Fryers
Turkey fryers are becoming increasingly more popular among Thanksgiving connoisseurs. However, they are the biggest fire hazard one can face on turkey day. These top-heavy fryers have a tendency to tip over, spill hot oil and/or overheat. These appliances should always be used outdoors in a well-ventilated area a distance away from your garage, carport, walls and fences. Never leave a heated turkey fryer unattended.

Start by completely thawing and drying your turkey before cooking. Frozen, cold or even wet birds can produce bubbling oil spills over the pot’s rim and onto the burner, which can catch fire. Cover your bare skin and raise/lower your turkey very slowly to reduce oil splatter.

Keep your propane tank at least two feet upwind from the burner to keep the wind from blowing heat toward the gas. If you notice the oil smoking, turn off the gas supply immediately. In the event of a fire, call 911 and avoid any attempt to put out the fire with water. Keep a fire extinguisher nearby as a safety precaution.

Thanksgiving rolls many people’s favorite foods into one celebratory day. Tack on spending time with friends and family and the recipe for a great holiday is complete. Taking safety measures while preparing your Thanksgiving favorites will ensure a happy, healthy holiday.

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