New Year’s resolutions
Tips on losing weight, quitting smoking, saving money, and more
As we say hello to 2009, said Adam Crisp in MSNBC.com, “the lingering effects of last year—belly fat, cigarette addiction, heaps of debt—linger on for some people.” It’s no surprise that “slimming down, stopping smoking and reducing debt almost always top the list of annual New Year's resolutions.”
“Healthy weight loss occurs slowly and steadily,” said LaDell Emmons in the McAlester News-Capital, so “aim to lose 1/2 to 2 pounds per week.” To lose about 1 pound a week, “you must burn 3,500 calories more than your body needs or about 500 calories per day.” Also, try “adding more fruits, vegetables and whole grains to your diet.” But keep in mind that “a healthy diet combined with physical activity is still the foundation to long-term weight loss success.”
January is a great time to join a gym, said Heather Newman in the Detroit Free Press. About one million people join health clubs nationwide during the first month of the year—“50% more than during any other month of the year”—and “that membership boom means most clubs offer some of their best specials and promotions this time of year,” so take advantage.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
“If you plan to kick the smoking habit this New Year,” said The Washington Post, “discuss over-the-counter and prescription medications” with your doctor or pharmacist. You may also “consider joining a stop-smoking program or support group,” and also remember to “maintain a balanced diet, drink lots of water and get plenty of sleep.” For more tips on how to quit smoking, visit the American Lung Association’s website.
“One thing we can all do to better our circumstances” is to save more money, said Jill Boynton in The Boston Globe. “Set up a direct deposit from your paycheck to a savings account, or an automatic transfer from checking to savings.” You can “start out small—$10 or $50 per week”—and once you’ve “adjusted your spending to accommodate this change you can increase the amount.” Hopefully, 2009 will bring you “joy and happiness—and peace of mind knowing you're building your financial resources.”
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Edmund de Waal on this year's Booker Prize shortlist
The Week Recommends The chair of judges details works by Rachel Kushner, Percival Everett and others
By The Week UK Published
-
Griddled salmon and vegetables with miso and melted butter recipe
The Week Recommends Hokkaido comfort food classic with a delicious twist
By The Week UK Published
-
Crossword: November 8, 2024
The Week's daily crossword puzzle
By The Week Staff Published
-
How AI-generated images are threatening science
Under The Radar Publishers and specialists are struggling to keep up with the impact of new content
By Abby Wilson Published
-
Humans are near peak life expectancy, study finds
Speed Read Unless there is a transformative breakthrough in medical science, people on average will reach the age of 87
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Detailed map of fly's brain holds clues to human mind
Speed Read This remarkable fruit fly brain analysis will aid in future human brain research
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Finger-prickin' good: Are simpler blood tests seeing new life years after Theranos' demise?
Today's Big Question One Texas company is working to bring these tests back into the mainstream
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
10 recent scientific breakthroughs
In Depth From cell reparation to monkey communication
By Devika Rao, The Week US Published
-
The difficult job of defining a species
The Explainer Though taxonomy is hundreds of years old, scientists are still striving to create a universal and easily understood system
By Abby Wilson Published
-
Orangutan heals cut with medicinal plant
Speed Read A Sumatran orangutan in Indonesia has been self-medicating to heal a wound on his cheek
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Why the Y chromosome is vanishing and what this means for the future
The Explainer A new sex gene could be on the evolution pipeline
By Devika Rao, The Week US Last updated