It's that time of year.  Lots of people will make an "iron-clad" pact with themselves that 2012 will be the year that they get.......thin........fit..........rich.  They will be a better spouse, better parent, better kid, better whatever.  "I will lose that 25 lbs this year".  "I will stop drinking this year".   "I will exercise 2 hours EVERY DAY this year".  Most of these last at least through New Year's Day before life intervenes, and old habits pick up where they left off.

     Don't make promises that you know you can't keep.  That's not to say that you shouldn't change your behavior for the better.  OF COURSE you should!  Don't make it a "New Year's Resolution".  Just make the change, and don't wait until the artificial deadline of midnight, 12/31/11 to do it.  Look at yourself, assess what needs to be done..........and get it done.  Drastic, precipitous life-style changes DON'T WORK.  They just set you up for failure, after which you'll feel worse than before.  Find a reasonable, sustainable adjustment and go about doing it.

     The health clubs LOVE New Year's resolutions.  Their membership will spike for the next month or so, then gradually drop back to normal, as the "resolution makers" realize that they can't go to the gym 2hrs everyday.  Once they find this out, most will not cut back to a reasonable amount / schedule.  They will get demoralized and quit.

     So, either now, or in the near future, take a hard look at what needs to be fixed............then fix it.