Recommit to Your New Year's Resolution
“Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man.” —Benjamin Franklin
As we ring in the new year, millions of people make resolutions to change their life for the better, hoping to lose weight, quit smoking, spend more time with their families, or make other life improvements. The Web can help you on your journey, with advice, resources, and inspiration that will help you follow through with your New Year’s resolutions.
As we ring in the new year, millions of people make resolutions to change their life for the better, hoping to lose weight, quit smoking, spend more time with their families, or make other life improvements. The Web can help you on your journey, with advice, resources, and inspiration that will help you follow through with your New Year’s resolutions.
Expand All
Collapse All
Email ThisAdvice About New Year’s Resolutions
The act of making New Year’s resolutions has existed for over 4,000 years, but so has the act... read more»
Get in Better Shape
Getting into better shape is the most common New Year’s resolution. Whether you’re looking to lose weight, gain muscle, lower your cholesterol, or improve your athleticism, these Web sites can help you meet your health goals well before you’re ready to make next year’s resolutions.
Dulcinea's Insight
- Before you resolve to lose weight, consider whether your current weight is a healthy and reasonable one for you. The number on the scale can be deceiving; by using the tools listed below, you can use some basic calculations to determine whether you should try to lose or gain weight, or simply make some improvements in the quality of your diet.
- To be sure that you are choosing a sound diet, look for the Registered Dietitian (RD) credential behind the name of the creator of your site or, at the very least, the designer or supervisor of your diet plan. Some MDs have nutrition training and experience, but do not assume that all MDs are qualified to provide nutrition information and advice. Look for background and credentials on your site and verify them using other sources.
- Do not start an intense exercise routine or make a drastic change in diet without first consulting your physician. Use the tips on these Web sites merely as suggestions or loose guidelines; each person has specific health considerations that Web sites can’t take into consideration.
- For more information and many more specific resources, see the findingDulcinea Weight Loss, Nutrition, and Fitness Web Guides.
Dulcinea's Picks
For diet and nutrition information ...
MyPyramid.gov
lists current nutrition recommendations from the U.S. government. Take a look at the "MyPyramid Tracker", where you can enter foods eaten and physical activity performed. The Tracker then generates a report on the nutritional adequacy of your diet and fitness.
Diet Television
helps you choose a diet to fit your tastes and lifestyle. Use the "DietFinder" by adjusting the importance of certain parts of your diet (like eating red meat or the ease of eating out). It will return results based on your answers along with user reviews of the diets. Knowing what other people say are their most and least favorite aspects of certain diets can help you decide whether it’s right for you.
eDiets
is a gateway to a number of different diets, some more nutritionally sound than others. Each diet is described with its basic philosophy or approach, prohibited foods, risks, and a sample meal plan. Visit the “News” tab for interesting articles on topics such as metabolism, dieting as a couple, and the health benefits of olive oil.
Helpguide
contains straight talk about the USDA Food Pyramid and other nutrition recommendations, and offers special information for groups such as women and seniors. Read about the importance of water intake, recommended calories per day, and some general guidelines for healthy eating.
NutritionData
provides an incredibly detailed nutritional breakdown of food. Find healthier substitutes for the food you eat at restaurants, or see how balanced a specific food is. This site also has a daily calorie counter, a tool to find foods that meet your specific nutrient needs, a Body Mass Index (BMI) calculator, and a nutrition glossary.
Lime
has a food section complete with informative videos, recipes, articles, and a news feed that gathers news items from other sources. Lime’s staff reviews the products they like and offers additional resources on how to live a healthy lifestyle.
FoodFit.com
has a collection of healthful food recipes and guides. Find information about seasonal fruits and vegetables, a "Cook It Safe” calculator to make sure you are cooking your meats for the correct amount of time, and healthier twists on favorite recipes.
To find a qualified nutrition professional in your area …
The American Dietetic Association
’s official Web site offers access to a national nutrition network that allows you to locate an RD near you by entering your city and state.
For workout ideas …
Runner's World
is one of the world's leading running magazines. The Web site is a comprehensive source for all things running related, with content geared toward a novice/non-elite readership. The inspiring, insightful, authoritative articles cover all aspects of training and fitness, including beginner’s training programs, gear reviews, nutrition ideas, and elite news and race results. Visit the “Tools” section for a training calculator and a pace converter.
Mayo Clinic
has a variety of articles on strength training, offering advice on form and technique, and introductions to fundamental concepts like sets and reps. Mayo Clinic also provides quality multimedia elements, like videos demonstrating different exercises, and a slideshow on how to work the major muscle groups. This is a good resource for someone with little or no weight training experience.
YogaJournal.com
is the online arm of Yoga Journal magazine. This site is a great central resource for beginners and experienced Yoga practitioners alike. For beginners, the "Basics" section has yoga basics, advice from experts, introductory poses, and more. The “Poses” directory has an extensive listing of well-annotated poses that include photos and step-by-step walkthroughs. There are plenty of articles on practice, yoga wisdom, and meditation to keep even the experienced yogi interested.
For help sticking with your workout and dieting plan …
SparkPeople
is a community diet site that customizes diet and exercise plans to help users get fit. In the “Resource Center" there are tips and strategies to help you eat right, exercise right, stay motivated, and cultivate a healthy mind. The “Community” area has message boards, success stories, and the option of joining or creating a fitness team for added encouragement and motivation.
Global Health & Fitness
(GHF) has a long list of resources, including a fat calculator, calorie calculator, and a fiber calculator. The first few links in the "Free Tools" section may seem suspect because of the offers for free eBooks, but GHF is a legitimate site.
----------- Advertisement -----------
Quit Smoking
Quitting smoking improves the health of your entire body and saves hundreds (sometimes thousands)... read more»
Get Your Finances in Order
To celebrate the New Year, the Babylonians would lower their debt by returning a piece of farm... read more»
Continue Your Education
Just because you’re out of school doesn’t mean you have to stop learning. The Web is... read more»
Become More Religious or Spiritual
If you want to spend the upcoming year getting more in touch with your spiritual side, let the... read more»
Spend More Time With Your Kids
Saying you’ll spend more time with your kids is the easy part; the real challenge is figuring... read more»
Get More Involved With Charity
The holiday season inspires many to help people around them and make the world a better place. The... read more»
Help the Environment
New Year’s resolutions don’t have to be just about bettering yourself; you can also... read more»
© 2008 Dulcinea Media, Inc.
