1. Lose Weight

Over half of adults in the United States are overweight, so its no surprise that weight loss is one of the most popular New Year’s resolutions. However, saying and doing are two completely different things. In order to really lose weight in 2010, set reasonable goals for yourself and stay focused. It helps to join a weight loss program, where you’ll receive support from others with similar goals as well as expert advice from experienced professionals. This is the key time for success for those of you who made the New Year’s commitment to shed some extra pounds.

2. Get out of Debt

If money issues contributed to your high level of stress in 2009, you may resolve to eliminate (or at least lessen) your debt in the New Year. One of the most important ways to do this is to pay more than your minimum balance. When you pay the minimum, most of it goes towards interest, which is why it takes a while to pay off the original debt. You wouldn’t pay $500 for an item that is marked with a $100 price tag, would you? If you can’t afford to pay more than the minimum balance, you can’t afford what was charged on your card in the first place. So, stick to one credit card (the one with the lowest interest rate) and cut the rest up. Pay more than your minimum, and watch the debt slowly slip away.

3. Get Fit

Losing weight and getting fit are two separate resolutions. Everyone should exercise, no matter what their weight, because we all know that regular exercise has been associated with many health benefits – reduction in the risk of some cancers, increased longevity, enhanced mood, lower blood pressure and even improved arthritis. To get motivated, think of working out as a break from a stressful day, alone time, a reward, or an energy booster instead of an obligation. Exercise 3 times a week, and you really will start to feel better.

4. Help Those In Need

A popular and selfless New Year’s resolution is volunteerism. You can mentor a child, help out at a local animal shelter or at a homeless shelter, or assist in building a house or cleaning up a local park. All the nonprofit volunteer organizations could really use your help. Log onto http://www.1-800-volunteer.org or call 1-800-volunteer (864868337) to find opportunities in your community.

5. Quit Smoking

Although it won’t be easy, resolving to put out your smoking habit will benefit you in the long run. There are many over-the-counter nicotine replacement therapies available. If you’ve tried to quit before and failed, remember that on average, smokers try about 4 times before they quit for good. To ensure success, consult your doctor before quitting, pick a quit date and stick to it, and get rid of all cigarettes and smoking accessories. Ask friends who smoke not to do it around you, and if you can find a quitting buddy, you can support each other through the process.

6. Get organized

Organization is a very popular as well as reasonable goal. Whether you want to organize your home, your office, or your life in general, there are a few tips you should know. First, you need to buy a day planner and at least one wall calendar. Secondly, you should go through each space you want to organize one at a time – get rid of anything you haven’t used in the past year (excluding important documents or sentimental items). Thirdly, get storage bins and label each one. Lastly, hold a family clean up day at least twice a year and make each family member fill a trash bag with junk. (Remember: You can always donate unused items to a local shelter. Plus, you can sell almost anything nowadays on websites like Ebay)

7. Spend more time with friends and family

Many of you will vow to be a better mother, sister, aunt, pet owner, etc. However, talk is cheap, so take action and start planning ways in which you can reconnect with your family. Love get-togethers? Plan a family reunion. Into crafts? Make family scrapbooks for every one’s birthdays this year. You can also get family members together to create a family cookbook or an artistic family tree. Remember, family is very important, so don’t let yourself lose touch.

8. Learn Something New

Many people are thirsty for knowledge, and they use the New Year as an excuse to vow to learn new things. Although you should never need an excuse, learning is a terrific way to broaden your horizons. If you are curious about the way something works, read a how-to book. Interested in a certain subject? Take a class at a local college. Learning how to knit or garden can also be fun. For a more challenging task, learn a new language. Whatever you choose, you’ll find education to be one of the easiest and most motivating resolutions to keep.

9. Quit Drinking

Many people use the New Year as an incentive to stop drinking. In some cases, this means giving up a few drinks a day, which can be done by tapering down to one a day and then to none. In other cases, this decision is more drastic. If you are a heavy drinker, you may have more success if you try to quit gradually, or if you learn to moderate your drinking. There is a lot of help and support available for anyone who wants to stop drinking. To get a better picture of where you are now, so that you can make an informed decision about how to proceed, you should first talk with your family doctor. You can also log onto http://www.alcoholics-anonymous.org or http://www.niaaa.nih.gov. Both websites offer resources, tips and professional advice.

10. Enjoy Life

A lot of bad things have happened in 2009, including the current recession and the Bernie Madoff scandal, among other things. Lots of people will resolve to enjoy their lives a little more in 2010, because we are all very aware of how short life is. In order to do this, remember the following: work is just work, there are other important things to do in life; don’t spread yourself too thin, you are certain to miss life’s details; remember to relax; don’t compare yourself to other people, you are unique; surround yourself with family and friends who love you; and most importantly, learn to laugh at yourself and at your mistakes. If you follow these simple tips, you will find that your life will become more enjoyable – and that’s what it is all about, isn’t it?