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New Year's Resolutions And How to Keep Them
Year after year millions of Americans kick off the new year by making a list of resolutions. Popular goals range from losing weight and getting in shape to becoming a better person. Whatever it is that you resolve to do in 2010, make sure that you keep a realistic outlook. Don't forget that change takes perseverance and that over-the-top aspirations are never practical. Setting the bar too high is one of the reasons why year after year we are destined to repeat the same resolutions. This year, make a change for the best by altering your attack. Choose two goals, three at most, that you feel confident in your ability to accomplish, so that you can give the time and energy needed for success. In the end, you'll be one of the few that actually does what it is you set out to do! Here are products that can help overcome even your most difficult of aspirations
Must-Haves for Sticking to Your Resolutions
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A Calendar or Agenda Write down your resolutions and devise a plan for how you think you can realistically accomplish your goals. The more details the better, including dates by which you want to have reached a particular portion of the goal and the steps you have to take to get there. |
A Megaphone Tell everyone close to you about your goals. If others know that you are trying to succeed in something, they'll be more likely to help you along when you get stuck in a rut or need some extra motivation. Hopefully you'll get positive feedback when you need it most. |
A Mirror Take a look at yourself and assure that the resolutions you make are for YOU! If you resolve to do something just because another person wants you to, you'll be less likely to succeed. Also remember that you know yourself best. If you think losing 30 pounds seems next to impossible, chances are it just might be. |
A Best Friend Forever When the going gets tough you can always depend on a pal to help you through hard times, whether that person is a best friend, partner or family member. By teaming up with someone who has similar goals you can work together to achieve them. It's like having your own private support group. |
Lose Weight and Feel Great
Whether you want to drop 20 pounds, sleep better at night or prepare to run a marathon, there is no feat too big when you have the right tools. Check out some items below that can help you get on the right track. You might also be interested in the following buying guides: Weight Loss Programs, Sports Nutrition and Sports and Recreation.
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Together, these two spiral-bound food diary |
Complete Runner's Log and Calendar Log your stats day-by-day with this handy runner's book |
You wouldn't go to an interview in sweat pants |
A heart rate monitor is a great tool to measure your exertion rate, a crucial part in getting fit. You might also consider one with a GPS |
Exercise equipment |
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Using a body fat caliper is the traditional method for measuring weight and fat loss. It is very accurate and gives a realistic portrait of how your body changes over time. Unlike a scale it measures your body fat percentage and won't fluctuate based on water loss. |
Scales are a great tool to have if you need to lose a lot of weight. For losing a few pounds or toning up, stick to a body fat caliper, since it won't fluctuate from water loss or muscle gain like a scale will. If a scale is a must, consider a body fat monitor |
Serious dieters can learn how to control portions with a kitchen scale. These make getting the right amounts of each type of food easier and ensure that you don't overeat. |
For people who hate the gym or can't afford the monthly fees, consider working out at home. It's an effective alternative as long as you have space, a TV |
Sometimes products like Slim Fast |
Helpful Weightloss Resources
- FitnessChallenge.com: Check out this board game that strives to make exercise fun through competition and wagering.
- DrPhil.com: Advice from Dr. Phil on how to lose weight.
- WeightLossResources.co.uk: This site is full of useful articles and calculators to help you lose weight.
- eHow.com: How to set weight loss goals.
- Self.com: Tips for healthy living, eating and exercising. There's also a diet club and great recipes.
Spend Time with Loved Ones
Every year it seems like we have less and less time to spend with the people we love. Whether it's neglecting friends, family or even your partner, it's never too soon to start mending weak ties. Just set aside some time to share your favorite activities together and be certain that you can both make it. Be flexible and compromise when necessary. After an afternoon reminiscing, sharing plans for the future or swapping jokes, you'll be happy you did. Here are a few suggestions to get you started.
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Rustle up your favorite nieces, nephews and grandchildren and read them a story. |
Treat your favorite little kid to some outdoor fun |
Teaching kids how to bake |
One of the best things a woman can do is teach her daughter (or niece) to apply makeup |
Arts and crafts |
| Finding Time for Friends and Family | ||||
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Take your loved one to a secluded place and wine |
Everyone loves a good party game |
Spend time with older members of your family to work on a scrapbook or photo album. You might be surprised at what you can learn from old photos and ticket stubs. |
Remember how you and Dad loved to fish when you were a kid? Whatever activity you once shared with your folks, bring it back. The way his eyes light up when you show him those old lures |
If you and your loved one enjoy the same activities or want to learn something new, take a class together or teach yourselves at home. The hobby can grow into a favorite pastime. |
Parenting Resources & Tips
- FamilyTime.com: A site devoted to managing time with family, including a calendar, activity ideas, recipes and more.
- iVillage.com: Daily ideas for good parenting.
- HGTV.com: A great site to give you ideas and projects to do around the house.
- WikiHow.com: How to stop spending so much time online.
Quit Smoking
Quitting smoking is a big step and it can't be done without the proper preparation and tools. Support groups are one of the best things, especially in combination with nicotine replacements. For a full explanation of what you need to conquer both the physical and mental addiction to nicotine, please see Smoking Cessation Products.
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These patches, among other nicotine replacements, can help smooth out the transition from quitting smoking to becoming nicotine-free. |
This self-help book is a great companion throughout the process and offers tips and advice to control the mental addiction to nicotine. |
Every time you're allowed to smoke it beeps, reducing the number of beeps over days and hours so that you can ween yourself off cigarettes gradually and comfortably. |
Getting rid of the smoke smell in your home or car will help you forget about needing to smoke and will make your living environment and smoke-free as you hope to be. |
Sometimes just keeping your mouth occupied can help keep your mind off cigarettes. Make sure to keep them in your pockets, bags, office desk drawer, nightstand, etc. |
Ask the Experts
- Cancer.org: An excellent guide to quitting smoking that takes you step by step through the process of quitting, with numerous resources and facts on why you should quit from the American Cancer Society.
- AmericanHeart.org: The American Heart Organization talks about nicotine substitutes, how to use them and why they are beneficial to quitting.
- CDC.org: This page by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention has numerous links to helpful articles related to smoking cessation.
- WhyQuit.com: The name says it all. This is a site to help support those interested in quitting "cold turkey."
Manage Your Finances Better
Consolidate your bills, learn to budget wisely, keep better track of your spending, pay off those debts, get rid of high-interest credit cards and learn to invest wisely. There is a lot to worry about when it comes to handling your finances. Get ready to revamp your spending style and your method of managing it with some of these helpful products.
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Idiot's Guide To Personal Finance This book series offers a simple way to learn the basics of personal money management from basic budgeting to figuring out your 401K or buying a new house. Choose the book based on age: 20s and 30s, 40s, etc. |
Make a habit of stashing coins on a daily basis and you'll be surprised how much cash you can muster out of a little pig (or jar if you prefer). Up the stakes and throw in a dollar bill everyday too. Little investments over the long term can lead to a big return. |
Budget Living Books or Magazines They are entertaining and offer helpful tips on how to live stylishly but on the cheap. These are a must-have for people who are limited financially, but don't want to sacrifice their swank surroundings. Also see How to Be a Budget Fashionista |
Quicken If you spend a lot of time on the computer, nothing could be easier than tracking and managing your budget through a personal finance program. They even help you prepare your taxes and can work seamlessly with online banking programs. |
Save money by cooking at home. Avoid buying in bulk, buy generic and set limits before you shop. Try and stay practical, buying things you NEED, not things you want and never shop on any empty stomach or because you are bored. |
More Tips & Advice
- ThisIsMoney.co.uk: Fifty ways to spend less money.
- WomenTodayMagazine.com: Tips for saving money on food and groceries.
- ChicagoFed.org: Useful advice for how to budget and save.
- MSNMoney.com: Several links to articles regarding money management, financial calculations and avoiding debt.
- eSortment.com: How to spend less money.
Get Organized
There is nothing more exhausting than being unorganized. You waste time trying to find things, spend money to replace items you have lost and ultimately submit yourself to unnecessary stress. To organize your life better, check out some of these products that will help you sort things out around the house. Also check out our guides on Bathroom Organization and Storage, Closet Organization and Photo Organization for more tips.
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Stash those brushes, compacts, and lipstick tubes away! With an organized space, finding the right makeup will be a breeze. |
Say goodbye to the days of stray cords and wires! With a desk-top charging station, all of your electronics can charge and stow neatly.
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Cleaning out the closet can be one of the most daunting tasks. With the use of shoe racks |
You've been meaning to do it, so why not use the new year as an excuse to organize all of those prints you have laying around? |
With an iPhone |
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Never miss an appointment again! Find a quality leather planner |
Keep those bottles of shampoo together and prevent that bar of soap from slipping away. |
Keep your screwdrivers, nails, and other useful tools together--you'll never have to search the house for them again! |
Consumer Reports How to Clean and Care for Practically Anything No one's a pro when it comes to cleaning, so pick up some tips from this helpful publication. |
How To Unclutter Every Nook and Cranny In and Outside Your Home Ahh, clutter. We are all guilty of it. Give this a quick read to pick up some great organizational tips! |
Extra Online Help
- Blurb.com: Create and publish your own poetry book, cookbook or coffee table book.
- OrganizedHome.com: How to better organize your planner or agenda.
- INeedMoreTime.com: Time management tips.
- Get-Organized.com: Find links to several tips on how to simplify your life.
- GetMoreDone.com: Seven tips on how to save time and get things done.
- GetOrganizedNow.com: This site is slightly difficult to navigate, but it has lots of useful information on how to organize.
Learn Something New
It's never to late to learn something new and to make yourself feel more educated. Whether you want to learn about the finer points of selecting the right wine or you want to get a degree or certificate to enhance your career, the possibilities are endless. A goal can be as simple as learning a new word every day or as complex as getting a certificate in real estate.
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Up that vocabulary with a new word every day. Think of all of the new phrases! |
Plan a trip and master the language! This popular software will have you talking like the locals in no time. |
Learn your lingo and discover a whole new culture of wine tasting! |
The New York Times Guide to Essential Knowledge Check out this book to get a little bit smarter everyday. |
Have a thing for the Bard? There are so many plays to master that you can actually use the entire year to do so. |
Check Out These Links
- 43Things.com: A social networking site where you can find out what things people like you want to do.
- MsMoney.com: Going back to school after being in the workplace.
- OnlineEducation.net: A starting place for finding schools that offer online degree and certificate programs.