Same old or New Attitude - Resolutions for Better Love in 2010

Here we are, beyond the first decade of the 2000s. And amidst ideas like losing weight, getting a better job and paying off our debt, having that better relationship and better love could be the best resolution yet. Loving better sounds great but where do we start?

Changing the way we love in 2010 is simple. But it requires some honesty and hard looks at ourselves. Look at where you're unhappy in your relationship. Is it sexually? Is it about communication? Taking a good close look at where you're unhappy is necessary and so is looking at where you are happy. Knowing the areas where you are satisfied can remind you of your partner's good points and also what you find fulfilling so you can look for more of it. Also ask your special someone about where they are unsatisfied/satisfied will give you and your relationship a new direction for 2010.

How to Protect Your Relationship on New Year's Eve

With New Year's Eve right around the corner, parties, drinking and wild times are sure to follow. Before the stroke of midnight, partying goes up and relationships can go down - Especially if you can't party with one another! With booze flowing and good times in the air, innuendos, dirty dancing, and old flame drunk dialing can rear their ugly heads. While it may seem harmless at the time, what you do at that New Year's Eve party could have lasting effects on your relationship long after that apple falls in Time Square. With a few steps, however, protecting your relationship on New Year's Eve can be as easy as making a list of resolutions you won't keep!

• Watch Those Parties - New year's Eve parties receive a lot of hype for drinking, dancing and wildness. But take a good look at the party you're going to and be aware if there will any temptations, desirables or individuals that could cause trouble for your relationship. Old flames, co-workers or friends who may have had their eyes on you should be warning signs on parties to skip or leave early.

• Be Careful with Drinking - "En vino veritas!" In wine, there is truth. Watch how much alcohol you intake as every glass could be leading you to bad choices and skewed perspectives on what's acceptable behavior. Remember, even the best boyfriend, husband, wife or girlfriend could make a mistake while under the influence. It could be unnecessary physical contact that could make your partner jealous or get back to them (if they're not with you) and be much worse as the story gets relayed!

• Have a Designated Conscience - Designated Drivers are a must and so are Designated Consciences. Have a good friend or relative who you trust that will keep an eye on you in case a situation arises that has you making a jackass out of yourself. If you're doing Tequila shots and that cute girl from the apartment upstairs starts dancing with you, having a friend keep you on the straight and narrow could keep you from entering 2010 single and a jerk.

• Keep Your Special Someone on Speed Dial - If your sweetheart isn't with you at the party, have them on speed dial and as a picture on your cellphone. Nothing keeps you as grounded as having your baby's face looking at you from your iPhone even as that hot guy is winking at you. Also, if you get the drunk loneliness syndrome, you can call them up and talk to them. Drunk dialing your girl is much better than drunk dialing an ex-freak from back in the day who may meet you up while you're drunk.

• Think "What if They Were Here?" - The ultimate way to keep yourself from screwing up your relationship on New Year's Eve is to think "What if They Were Here?" Regardless of how drunk you are or how hot the person flirting with you is, keeping a mental picture of your special someone should keep you from royally screwing up.

Ultimately, having a good time on New Year's Eve is important. But having a safe one is the real goal. Ring in the new year correct and you and your honey will start 2010 off right.

Countdown to a Healthy New Years Resolution

 Healthy New Year With Fitness Expert Andrea Metcalf

It's less than 2 Weeks until the stroke of midnight brings in a new year and a chance for many to reflect and project where their paths should be moving. So with 10 days to make some decisions on where your life can take you, here are a few things to do each day to develop your goal!

Countdown:

Dec 21st - What have you done in the last year that you are proud of? Soul searching right before Christmas can put you in better alignment for developing strategy for your new you in 2010. Being grateful is the first step to recognizing where you are starting. Make yourself a list of at least 5 things you are grateful and proud of from 2009.

Dec 22nd - Where do you see yourself in the next five years? Just like losing weight is a day by day process, the next step in your career path may need a year by year vision. Think about what your job looks like, your family, your home, your car, yourself.

Dec 23rd - Only two days left to holiday shop, but you need to think of yourself once in a while... Not talking about what gift to give your self, but taking time to reflect and project! You are almost seven days away from celebrating the New Year. Start to give yourself the gift of time and write down your first impulse or word. This will help you develop a plan for 2010.

Dec 24th - It's about family and friends, love and cheer. Take many snapshots today not only with the camera but in your mind.

Dec. 25th - Take a deep breath and enjoy the sparkle of the holiday and how good it feels to see others happy.

Dec 26th - Regrouping and time to plan out 2010! You'll want your best foot forward and now is the day to decide your biggest goal for the year.... whether it's weight loss, regrouping with friends, or just putting yourself in the driver's seat to taking better care of yourself... make the decision today. Now write it down.

Dec. 27th - Now that you have a direction... make sure it has three components:

• Can be measured - Make sure you can have a way of measuring the success of your goal
• Realistic - Make sure it is achievable! There is only one of you and you still have to work, take care of others, and sleep. 
• Specific - make sure they are clearly written and objective rather than subjective  

Dec. 28th - Decide on your team. It takes a village to raise one child and it takes a team of support to make any change happen. Email your friends, family and co-workers to ask for their support in your new year's goals. Decide exactly whom you can check in with to make sure you stay on track.

Dec. 29th - Start writing out the plan. You know the goal and you know who can help you, so now write out a short plan. Even visualize the plan happening and what it will feel like you when reach it.

Dec. 30th - Get it together! You might need a few things in place for your plan to succeed and don't forget a Plan B. Even the most successful projects have unexpected road bumps. But remember, they are only bumps and not blocks. You can do anything you put your mind to thinking--what the mind can conceive it can achieve.

Dec. 31st - Happy New Year! You are ready to start, have a great plan in place, and a team to help you make it happen. Go after it with all your strength and shoot to be a "10" in 2010.

Lose 5 in 10 Program

If you start with a few small changes and lose 5 pounds a month in the upcoming year that would equal a "60" pound weight loss, approximately 6 dress sizes, and 12" on your waistline. If you have that to lose, more or less, than you can easily achieve that goal with my 5 for 10 program. Here's the simple formula:



1) Wear a pedometer and walk at least 10,000 steps every day.

2) Eat at least 5 servings of vegetables and fruits each day.

3) Take 10 minutes at the end of the day to write down five things you are grateful.



Walking 10,000 steps a day equals approximately 30,000-35,000 calories burned each month. That coupled with better eating habits and reducing stress will easily translate into your 5 pound or more weight loss.

Keep it simple and you simply will succeed!