Happy ½ New Year
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June marks the half-way point in the year

Where has the year gone?  If you are like most, by now your New Years resolutions have gone by the wayside and you have slipped back into old familiar habits. The fitness goals that started on January 1st, were probably forgotten a month or two ago and now half the year has past and so have our goals. 

But June marks the half-way point in the year.  This ½ New Year should be a time to renew your resolutions and get back on track rather than staying in a familiar rut that will leave you at the end of the year wondering what happened to all of your good intentions at the beginning of 2009.

According to website www.Pittsburg.About.com, the top ten New Years resolutions are as follows:

 1. Spend More Time with Family & Friends
Recent polls conducted by General Nutrition Centers, Quicken, and others shows that more than 50% of Americans vowed to appreciate loved ones and spend more time with family and friends this year.

2. Fit in Fitness
The evidence is in for fitness. Regular exercise has been associated with more health benefits than anything else known to man. Studies show that it reduces the risk of some cancers, increases longevity, helps achieve and maintain weight loss, enhances mood, lowers blood pressure, and even improves arthritis. In short, exercise keeps you healthy and makes you look and feel better.

3. Tame the Bulge
Over 66 percent of adult Americans are considered overweight or obese, so it is not surprising to find that weight loss is one of the most popular New Year's resolutions. Setting reasonable goals and staying focused are the two most important factors in sticking with a weight loss program, and the key to success for those millions of Americans who made a New Year's commitment to shed extra pounds.

4. Quit Smoking
If you resolved to make this the year that you stamp out your smoking habit, over-the-counter availability of nicotine replacement therapy now provides easier access to proven quit-smoking aids. Even if you've tried to quit before and failed, don't let it get you down. On average, smokers try about four times before they quit for good. Start enjoying the rest of your smoke-free life!

5. Enjoy Life More
Given the hectic, stressful lifestyles of millions of Americans, it is no wonder that "enjoying life more" has become a popular resolution in recent years. It's an important step to a happier and healthier you!

6. Quit Drinking
While many people use the New Year as an incentive to finally stop drinking, most are not equipped to make such a drastic lifestyle change all at once. Many heavy drinkers fail to quit cold turkey but do much better when they taper gradually, or even learn to moderate their drinking.

7. Get Out of Debt
Was money a big source of stress in your life last year? Join the millions of Americans who have resolved to spend this year getting a handle on their finances.

8. Learn Something New
Have you vowed to make this year the year to learn something new? Perhaps you are considering a career change, want to learn a new language, or just how to fix your computer? Whether you take a course or read a book, you'll find education to be one of the easiest, most motivating New Year's resolutions to keep.

9. Help Others
A popular, non-selfish New Year's resolution, volunteerism can take many forms. Whether you choose to spend time helping out at your local library, mentoring a child, or building a house, there are many nonprofit volunteer organizations that could really use your help.

10. Get Organized
On just about every New Year resolution top ten list, organization can be a very reasonable goal. Whether you want your home organized enough that you can invite someone over on a whim, or your office organized enough that you can find the stapler when you need it, these tips and resources should get you started on the way to a more organized life.

Did your New Years resolutions make the list?  Maybe your resolution was to jump start your running program, or run every day.  If you have deviated from your goals, use this list as a way to remind yourself of what you resolved to do.  If you have fallen off the path of your goal, use June as a way to celebrate the new half year left and get back on track.  There are many resources available to help you get and stay on track with whatever positive changes you resolve to accomplish this year.

So, Happy ½ New Year.  Make this the best half year ever!