I think of my dinner plate like a pie chart and try to make half of it veggies, one-fourth protein such as chicken or fish, and one-fourth carbohydrates such as rice or pasta.

Ron Miller
Middletown, CT

Make a playlist of your favorite songs and reserve it for your workout. If you only let yourself listen when you’re moving, your workout will feel more like a guilty pleasure. (It’s not cake but it’s close!)

Jessica Abbot
Annsville, NY

For an afternoon jolt of energy, I climb down and up the stairs in my office stairwell just once. I'm on the 4th floor, so it's a perfect mini workout, and wakes me up post-lunch.

Michelle Blumberg
Long Beach, CA

Commit to a day and time to meet a friend for a workout. You'll be much less inclined to cancel than you would by yourself.

Elizabeth Nogales
Indianapolis, IN

Try drinking plenty of water or tea before a meal, especially when eating out. It helps you feel fuller to avoid overeating!

Pauline Williamson
Sandy, UT

With new year's resolutions time coming up, the tendency is to do too much. Focus on doing just one thing, but doing it completely and well.

Sue Lipton
San Francisco, CA

I help frustrated people first discover what REALLY makes them happy, then map steps to coach and motivate them to actually achieve it. It works!

Dr. Sandy McKenzie
Chattanooga/Orlando, TN

If I'm feeling the midday slump, I'll go for a five-minute walk down the hall. Another easy way to revitalize is massaging between your thumb and index finger.

Melissa Douglas
Lincoln Park, MI

I always carry a bag of almonds or carrots to snack on, instead of grabbing for the potato chips in the vending machine. Healthy, convenient a saves $!

Barbara Meyers
Geneva, IL

Bring along your ipod or CD player for your run. It helps motivate and distract you, and increases your heart rate too.

Misty Barnes
Harrisburg, PA

When hitting the gym, check if there is an interesting class to take, instead of the usual treadmill run. It keeps me motivated, and I can't stare at the clock!

Karen Foster
Brookline, MA

Take five minutes before bedtime to seclude yourself and focus on breathing, which helps eliminate anxiety from daily stressors.

Julie Berger
Canton, OH

I love jogging, but this year added swimming to my fitness regimen. It's helped with injury prevention and general activity fatigue. Next year: Biking or inline skating.

Kim Lorenzo
Boulder, CO

In the beginning of the year, I mark my calendar to check in with my health and fitness goals for the upcoming year. I do this touch-base quarterly as the seasons change to make it easy to remember.

Samantha Meyers
San Fransisco, California

I work out a lot, but I also remember to take time off for my body to recover and recharge my interest level.

Richard Rycroft
Hartford, CT

It's not that I love working out -- but burning extra calories means I can handle being on the losing end of a bout with Haagen Dazs once in a while (or maybe twice in a while).

Terry McWhirter
Dallas, Texas

When hitting the gym, check if there is an interesting class to take, instead of the usual treadmill run. It keeps me motivated, and I can't stare at the clock!

John Yumis
Ypsilanti, Michigan

Craving ice cream? Try a frozen banana! When you freeze bananas, they get a creamy texture that is really similar to ice cream. Might just hit the spot!

Monica Elstein
Cheshire, CT

Feel like baking but don’t want to get all the fat? Bake a batch of cookies, save one or two for yourself and give the rest to family or co-workers.

Mary B.
San Carlos, CA

Skip the high-sodium dressings on your salads and try a little olive oil, lemon and crushed red pepper instead.

Lori D.
Hackensack , NJ

Get your 8 hours of sleep a day, especially if you exercise a lot. If you don’t, you won’t give your muscles time to recuperate and you’ll exhaust yourself!

Sarah S.
Charlottesville, VA

Craving chocolate? Eat a banana with a tablespoon of peanut butter instead. If you’re still having coco cravings after that snack, go for it – just make sure you make it dark chocolate… and only have a small piece!

Nicky Rubin
Albuquerque, NM

Wash and cut up fruits and veggies as soon as you buy them. You’ll be more likely to grab a piece of fruit later when you’re craving a snack.

Rob C
Bethlehem, PA

Always shower right after a workout to avoid nasty breakouts.

Jillian Weathers
Houston, Texas

Working out in the morning is best: It gives you a big boost of energy, and that is a grrrrrreat way to start off your day!

Rita Fay
Charleston, IL

"Low-fat" doesn't always mean "low calorie." Watch the hype and read the nutrition facts label on a product. Prepare to be surprised!

Jennifer Whiteway
Chicago, IL

When choosing a fitness regimen, pick an activity you like -- not one someone else likes. You'll be more inclined to stick with it.

Lisa Paparazzo
New York, NY

"I work out three days a week because I love to swim. If you do an activity you truly enjoy, you're more likely to stick with it."

Jennifer C.
Weston, CT

I've suffered from high anxiety my entire life, and just recently decided to take a class on breathing techniques. I definitely recommend it -- what a difference!

Dana Carnegie
Gloucester, MA

Become an "outdoorsey" person. Outdoor activities such as hiking, bicycling, climbing, kayaking, running, walking, and playing keep you fit, healthy, energetic, positive, young, and happy. Try one activity and gradually ad others. Being an outdoorsey person enhances your life.

Joanie Anderson
Grove City, PA

I keep a list of fitness resolutions on my nightstand. This way, I begin and end the day with a reminder of my long term goals.

Melissa Levine
Fairfax Stone, WY

Make a playlist of your absolute most favorite 8-10 songs. Since songs are about 4 minutes long, try to get through the whole playlist and you will have a really good workout and be done before you know it.

Terri
Boston, MA

Be careful in the summer -- when melted chocolate ice cream is refrosted, it turns out to be unhealthy for you. So don't overdo it! Have a perfect summer and very fun vacation!!

Alkisti M
Marietta, GA

Ever notice how many calories are in fruit juices? Stick to real fruit, which is low in calories and high in fiber. (And don’t forget to drink plenty of water.)

Sue Cabot
San Francisco, CA

I just started biking to work and I love it! It’s now easier to fit a workout into my schedule, I’m saving $$s on gas and, yes, I’m “helping the planet,” too.

Jennifer
Northampton, MA

Don't drink coffee on an empty stomach or else you will feel butterflies in your stomach, just like me now!

Leonidas Paparoglou
Rogers, Arkansas

If you consume a lot of supermarket ice cream, don’t bring it home. Instead, commit to going out for it. You’ll eat a lot less if it’s harder to get.

Tom Rinaldi
New York, NY

Wear comfortable, supportive shoes to encourage yourself to be more active.

Sonia
Baltimore, MD

Objects in motion stay in motion, so exercise on vacation! Otherwise, you'll come back home and have to start at square one again.

Blarney M.
Arlington, VA

I find that meals are more satisfying when they include a variety of textures. A little crunch goes a long way!

Marcus
Camden, NJ

Like brushing your teeth or washing your face, add your workout to your general daily routine. Then, you'll get used to doing it regularly.

Donna Costello
Santa Monica, CA

Limit yourself to eating food you can chew. Sugary drinks like soda and juice can add up to a meal’s worth of calories, but they never fill you up.

Paul
Upper Darby, PA

Being active doesn’t have to mean a 45-minute stint on the elliptical trainer! Think in terms of small, active increments, such as a short dog walk, a race around the grocery store, a trip up the stairs -- they all add up!

Anne
Berkley, CA

Eat five or six mini meals instead of three larger ones. You won't feel as hungry at meal time.

Nancy Frost
Export, PA

Swap a weight training session for spring cleaning. A day of sweeping, mopping, vacuuming and window washing really tones your arms!

Susan
Fort Worth, TX

Take a multivitamin daily, but not on an empty stomach. It can sometimes make you nauseous!

Brenda Macrolina
Middletown, NJ

Sweep and vacuum with high heels on. You'll get a clean house AND a great workout for your legs and abs.

Natalia M.
Athens, GA

Try to keep a i on sweet intake.

Alexander J McMullan
Lake Hopatcong, NJ

Limit coffee to one cup a day, even if you're on only three hours' sleep. You'll get much more energized by having small snacks and drinking tea after your morning coffee.

Natalia M.
New York, NY

Get enough sleep. The world really looks better when you’re well-rested.

Andrea
Chicago , Ill.

Use chicken or vegetable broth instead of oil when you stir-fry. It prevents food from sticking to the pan just like oil does, but without all of the fat!

Phil
Ramapo, NY

For stir-fry, use water to save more calories, and you can add any spices you like for the flavor.

Cathy Sexton
Robertsdale, AL

If a family member is reluctant to get a yearly physical, tell him/her how that decision affects the whole family (and that you love them).

Phil Townshend
Cleveland, OH

I fill a pitcher with water every morning and try to finish it by the end of the day. Staying hydrated prevents you from mistaking thirst for hunger.

Jennifer Weber
Palm Beach, Fla.

Clear your head before you go to sleep with a bedside pad of paper and pen. You can make a list of all the things you have to do the next day and check off what you've accomplished!

Michelle
Portland, Maine

Download the audio version of a book you've been meaning to read and only listen when you’re working out.

Rhoda
Kensington, GA

Find a suitable alternative for your guilty food pleasure -- like a low-fat chocolate ice cream bar -- so you can help yourself to a daily treat without ruining your diet efforts.

Daniel
Gridley, CA

Wear a pedometer to count everything -- including your daily errands and bathroom runs -- as exercise. Once you find out how active you are throughout the day, you can set a daily step goal and increase it every week.

Brandon
Rowan, NC

Measure three-fourths of a cup of water and pour it into a bowl you regularly use for cereal, pasta or rice to see what the recommended serving size looks like. That way you will know how high to fill your bowl without having to measure every time you eat.

Laurie Ellis
Chelsea, MI

Serve meals for yourself and your family on smaller plates. It really puts serving sizes in proportion!

Tammy Baker
Seneca, Ohio