A Happy, Healthy New Year's Resolution

With a new year upon us again many people are dedicating themselves to resolutions that will disappear faster than the mini-cheesecakes at the New Year's Eve party. Every year thousands of people set unreachable goals for themselves and then are left feeling disappointed and deflated before spring even rolls around. This year I've decided to set a very reachable New Year's resolution. For the next year I am going to live a happier, healthier life. This is a goal that is measurable only by my own opinion. I can't bash myself when the scale shows a number above the weight I set - because I didn't set one. I can't degrade myself for not saving a certain amount of money by a certain date- because I didn't set one. The most successful people set goals that are not measured by a number, but by the feeling they have within themselves upon reaching it. I have developed a plan to meet my happier, healthier goal.

1. Exercise More

The simple act of exercising will inevitably make you feel better. It's scientifically proven. So if I can get moving at all, I will know I am reaching my goal simply by the way my body feels. I'm not going to set limits for myself on what type of exercise I must do each week, and how much. I'm just going to get moving and keep at it. Finding new ways to stay fit will make the new year exciting.

2. Eat less

I find that setting limits on calories and fat grams is just not reasonable for me. I love to eat, and I live in the south where every occasion is marked by what food what served. So my plan for the new year is to start listening to my body and stop eating when I'm full. I struggle with eating for reasons other than being hungry, like boredom and stress. I'm going to start eating only when my body tells me I'm hungry, and stop eating when it tells me I'm full. The end result should be that I still eat what I want, but I'll be eating less of it.

3. Slow Down

Just like most women in America, I have a problem slowing life down and stopping to rest is out of the question. We have a tendency to pack every waking minute with work that needs to be done. This causes needless stress and worry. Studies show this can lead to sleep problems, which create a vicious cycle since stress is more difficult to handle when you're tired. My new plan is to sit down when my body feels tired. It sounds simple enough, but its something I just don't do. The world will not stop turning if I leave the dishes in the sink until tomorrow.

4. Be more social

As we get older and couple off many of us get married and have children. Having our own social life takes a back burner to the demands of our families. Sometimes it is important to get together with friends and relax. Stepping out of the daily norm helps to make life feel fresh and exciting.

5. Stop comparing myself to other

Even the most satisfied people sometimes find themselves coveting another person's goods. Comparing yourself to another person is never beneficial to your happiness. It simply doesn't make sense to compare my body to Heidi Klum. So why do I, and millions of other women, do it? From now on I am only going to compare myself to me. Instead of agonizing over Faith Hill's body on the cover of Shape, I'm going to vow to look at a picture of myself at a time when I felt really good about my body and try to mirror that image. I'm not going to set expectation that are impossible to live up to.

Taking these five simple steps will lead me to a happier, healthier life. That's a New Year's resolution that I'll be happy to keep!