Ready to ring in 2014 with dramatic changes? Big changes don’t happen quickly, so have a plan to reach your goal. Start small by taking a single step in the right direction. Before you know it, you’ll gather a string of little success stories that add up to huge progress. Here are a few starter ideas for common New Year’s resolutions.

Want to shed a few pounds?

Good nutrition will take you further than exercise alone. Tackle your weight loss objective by recording the foods you eat. Free websites and apps make it easy and cheap to track a daily food diary and calculate your calorie intake. Try SparkPeople or MyFitnessPal. Once it’s there in black and white, you can see where you might be going overboard. Use that knowledge to cut back and make healthy substitutions.

Trying to fix your finances?

Paying off debt can pave your way to a richer future. Target a small amount to pay off first. Your motivation will get a boost from that first victory, and your monthly budget gets a little extra wiggle room. To see your progress multiply rapidly, dedicate the newly available funds to cutting down more debt.

Would going back to school give your career a boost?

Check out nearby schools for non-credit and community education classes. You can gain useful skills for work without investing a lot of money. Then if you take the plunge to pursue a degree or a certificate, you’ll know what it takes to succeed in the classroom.

Breaking bad habits and learning positive habits can be tough, so it’s not surprising that many of us toss out our New Year’s resolutions before the end of January. Take the first step, and don’t be afraid to begin again if you get off track. Start small to make your resolutions stick this year. 

“It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas, everywhere you go…” Christmas marks a special time of the year for many of us, a time for peace, joy, family, and a whole bunch of catchy Christmas music. See if this list of Christmas favorites strikes a chord with you.

“Deck the halls with boughs of holly…” Christmas decorations bring a smile to everyone’s face. The twinkling lights, a fragrant tree, and that ornament you made in first grade; what’s not to love? Take the kids out on a late night tour of holiday lights. Dress your house to the nines. Choose a tree (fake’s good too), and feel free to leave it up well into the New Year.

“On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me…” While a partridge in a pear tree might not be on anyone’s wish list right now, it is delightful to give and receive at this time of year. Cherish a thoughtful gift from a loved one, and find just the right thing to bless another person. 

“Chestnuts roasting on an open fire, Jack Frost nipping at your nose.” Winter’s chilly temperatures showcase the appeal of a cozy evening spent at home with a tasty holiday treat. Break out the blankets, and snuggle up with a warm drink and your favorite holiday foods.

“Joy to the world!” Whether you celebrate Christmas as the birth of a Savior, or as a holiday of generosity and peace, Christmas is a joyful time of year. Relax, remember your reason for the season, and enjoy this Christmas.

Now that you’re in the Christmas spirit, pass it around by whistling while you work or singing while you shop. “It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas; soon the bells will start, and the thing that will make them ring is the carol that you sing right within your heart.” Merry Christmas!  

Do the holidays just make you want to scream? It’s so stressful! So commercial! Are we having fun yet? If you would like to find more meaning in your holiday celebrations, you are not alone. Here are a few suggestions for slowing down and simplifying your holiday routine.

Take the time to make a plan.

Everyday life is busy enough. Add in parties, pageants, and loads of gifts to buy, and it’s just too much. Carve out a time before things kick into high gear to plan the essentials of your holiday strategy. Make shopping lists. Schedule a meal plan. Reserve time for special events. Life’s little emergencies and the decisions we make on the fly raise our stress levels the most. By committing to your priorities in advance, you won’t risk getting off course as the pace of life picks up.

Get your ZZZ's.

You might gain a few more hours of productivity for one night, but sacrificing sleep will catch up with you in the long run. Research shows that tired people perform noticeably worse on tasks requiring concentration and reason than well-rested people. Reducing your sleep also negatively impacts your emotional state and suppresses your immune system. Trying for seven or more hours of sleep nightly will help you function at your best throughout the day.

Learn to say NO.

Sometimes you simply have to say no. You can’t be everywhere at once, so quit spreading yourself too thin. Decide what really matters to you and your family this holiday season. Any last minute requests that don’t measure up, need to go. Graciously decline and move on. You can relax more fully as your schedule frees up, and you’ll have the time and energy to be present when it matters.

It’s time to deck the halls, not climb the walls. You will get a valuable boost to your health and productivity by getting the rest you need. Sticking with a game plan reduces stressful surprises and pares down an overly full calendar. Savor the best of the holidays this year instead of letting the holidays get the best of you.

It’s party time! The holidays are upon us. Dinner here, a party there, the calories are everywhere. In the words of the great Dr. Seuss, "It is fun to have fun but you have to know how." Here are some ideas for handling holiday parties without overeating.

Lead off with a healthy starter.

Fill up on low calorie options, so that you can feel satisfied by smaller portions of high calorie items. Order a vegetable soup or a salad with dressing on the side before your meal. If you’re at a buffet, nosh on fruits and vegetables first. Another tip for buffets: check out all the offerings before filling your plate with just a few favorites.

Liquid calories count too!

With delicious desserts and savory snacks, it’s easy to forget calories come in liquid form as well. Be cautious of drink options with too many calories. A rich hot chocolate, a frothy eggnog, even an adult beverage will add calories quickly without doing much to fill your belly. Sip water in addition to other drinks. You’ll save calories and feel more full.

If possible, stay on the move.

Don’t worry; it’s not a workout. By circulating and socializing, you can move away from food selections and interact with everyone. You will feel engaged and enjoy the festivities more. Eating doesn’t need to be the entertainment.

A holiday party could be a healthy eating disaster, but it doesn’t have to be. Remain mindful of what you’re eating, and recognize when you feel satisfied. You can celebrate the season with friends and food, but without diet regrets.

Putting on weight during the holiday season seems inevitable. Cookies, pies, and other delicious high-calorie treats appear everywhere this time of year. Exercise these simple strategies to indulge, without piling on the pounds.

Eat your fruits and vegetables.

Fruits and vegetables provide a huge nutritional boost of vitamins and fiber without adding tons of calories. Try incorporating five or more fruit and vegetable servings into your daily diet during the holidays. To make a satisfying snack, pair a fruit or a vegetable with a small amount of protein and fat. You can try carrots with ranch dressing, apple slices with cheddar cheese, or a banana with peanut butter.

Plan ahead for party time.

Holiday parties and family get-togethers tend to disrupt healthy eating habits. Don’t get caught off guard at these special events; make a plan before you go. A calorie is a calorie, so decide which foods are worth the splurge. Cut back on calories the day of the event to accommodate your favorite foods. You can still enjoy a reasonable portion without blowing your diet.

Schedule your workout time.

You’re incredibly busy these days, but don’t forget to fit in your workout. Beyond the calories burned by exercise, working out can help you stay in control of your appetite. Aerobic exercise suppresses the release of key hormones that trigger feelings of hunger. Getting active can reduce stress levels, and who couldn’t use a little less stress (and stress related snacking)?

Staying healthy during the holidays doesn’t have to be an impossible feat. Fill up on healthy veggies and fruits, but leave room for a few indulgences in your plan. Fit in exercise where you can. You’ll stay in great shape through the holidays, and you can forget about that New Year’s resolution to lose weight.

Thanksgiving is here and Christmas is just around the corner. Your kids might already be thinking about how much they want (and telling Santa all about it), but November is a good time to contemplate the blessings that you already have. Taking the time to pause and reflect can bring more joy into your celebrations this year. 

Look for the good in daily life.

It’s easy to get swept away by negative thoughts and complaining. Put the focus back on the positive. Find ways to express gratitude each day. Celebrate small things like beautiful weather or green lights on the way to work. Give thanks for big ones too: your family, friends, and a place to call home.

Help someone in need.

Volunteering is a powerful way to make a difference in your life and the lives of others. Find a cause you feel passionate about and find out how you can help. Your contribution is important, and you’ll have a way to connect meaningfully with others who share your values.

Draw close to your loved ones.

Unplug from the holiday hubbub to enjoy simple pleasures with family and dear friends. An evening of laughter and catching up will recharge your spirits. There’s no need to do anything big or fancy; these are the people who love you as you are.

Sometimes we get so busy celebrating the holidays that we forget why we’re celebrating. Strengthen your relationships, and rejoice in their loving comforts. Lend a hand to someone in need. Remember to appreciate the good in your life, and you just might find more of it. These simple ideas can enrich your life throughout the year.