| Simply put: holidays are a time of | | | | |
| indulgence. We eat more food, buy more | | | | - WikiHow: Develop an Appreciation for |
| stuff, see more people. It's easy to get | | | | Reading |
| caught up in the snowflakes and tinsel and | | | | |
| make somewhat unrealistic New Year's | | | | - Booklist |
| resolutions only to become so frustrated that | | | | |
| we put away our resolutions along with our | | | | 3) Volunteer to Help Those Less Fortunate. |
| fruitcakes and mistletoe and only bring them | | | | Throughout the holidays the media bombards us |
| back out when the next New Year rolls around. | | | | with stories of the poor and hungry and for a |
| | | | few fleeting weeks these people are on our |
| The "holiday spirit" is an elusive beast, | | | | hearts and minds. Remember that people are |
| spreading goodwill and festivities for only a | | | | in need all year long, not just when it's |
| short while. Once he flees, we're often left | | | | convenient to think about them. |
| only with the guilt of overindulgence, too | | | | |
| much eggnog, and a lofty plan to really | | | | - Craigslist (look for your city and then |
| change for the better this year. | | | | check for volunteer opportunities) |
| | | | |
| But how do you make it from Point A (the | | | | - WikiHow: Find a Community Service Program |
| current reality of a somewhat post-jolly | | | | |
| state) to Point B (the next New Year with | | | | - WikiHow: Change the World in 10 Ways |
| last year's resolutions neatly checked off | | | | |
| one by one)? | | | | 4) Knock the Wardrobe Up a Notch. Let's face |
| | | | it; those stone-washed, pleated, tapered-leg |
| Think of your resolutions as a year-long to | | | | jeans just aren't as hip as they used to be |
| do list. Buy a calendar and write reminders | | | | and that size 2 skirt in the back of your |
| and motivations for each of your tasks. You | | | | closet isn't getting any bigger. Don't be |
| don't have to tackle them all at once, but | | | | afraid to do some tossing (a good rule of |
| you don't want to have to add more to the | | | | thumb: if you haven't worn it in a year, get |
| list halfway through, so you work smarter. | | | | rid of it) or if the clothes are in good |
| Just make sure the goals you set are | | | | condition, donate them to Goodwill or a local |
| realistic or you will get frustrated and call | | | | charity (find a Goodwill near you: |
| it quits. | | | | |
| | | | - Allure |
| Now let's take a look at some typical | | | | |
| resolutions and valuable resources that can | | | | - Style |
| help you stick with it. Because we all know | | | | |
| that this year will be the year that you keep | | | | - Vogue |
| those resolutions. | | | | |
| | | | 5) Fall in Love. Books have been written, |
| 1) Lose Weight and Get in Shape! Remember to | | | | movies have been made, wars have been fought. |
| celebrate your progress throughout the year. | | | | Enough said. |
| You will stay encouraged if you realize the | | | | |
| small victories as well as the large ones. | | | | - WikiHow: Get a Girl to Fall in Love with |
| Here are some (free) online publications that | | | | You |
| can help: | | | | |
| | | | - WikiHow: Have a Real Love |
| - Better Nutrition | | | | |
| | | | - WikiHow: Love |
| - Women's Health Weekly | | | | |
| | | | True, it's hard stay motivated when facing |
| - Health News | | | | 365 days of trials and tribulations. But |
| | | | with the right resources and some willpower, |
| 2) Read More. Read Better. You don't have | | | | you can at least hope to set attainable, |
| to pay for newspaper or magazine | | | | realistic goals. |
| subscriptions when you can read these items | | | | |
| for free online. Some suggestions: | | | | Now hop to it! You're keeping those |
| | | | resolutions, remember? |
| - The Sporting News | | | | |