We’re all been there: We started to slide on our goals toward the end of the year, then made ambitious New Year’s resolutions.
That’s all well and good . . . but how are you going to stick with them? This year, let books and authors be the little voice in your ear giving encouragement. These five books—and those featured in our two “New Year, New You” book roundups “Less stress (and more exercise) in 2012” and “Small changes yield big results“—are a fabulous place to start.
The books we’re giving away to one lucky contest winner will help you in several areas of your life: body and soul; family and relationships; organization; and fitness and nutrition.
Aren’t making New Year’s resolutions in all these categories? If you’re the winner, keep one book for yourself, and pass the rest to your friends!
TO ENTER: Comment on this post with your New Year’s resolution. Bonus points if you mention a book that will help you achieve it.
CONTEST DETAILS: One winner will be chosen by random.org from among entries received by 5 pm CST on Friday, January 6. The winner will receive copies of Every Body Matters by Gary Thompson; The Journal of Best Practices by David Finch; Organize Your Mind, Organize Your Life by Paul Hammerness, M.D., and Margaret Moore; The Physique 57 Solution by Tanya Becker and Jennifer Maanavi; and Working Out Sucks! (And Why It Doesn’t Have To) by Chuck Runyon.
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ETA: Congratulations to our winner, Shelly! She says her New Year’s resolutions include “firming up my body and exercising more, along with reading 100 books.”
Thank you to all who entered! Contest is now closed.
My resolution is to get more things done and “shipped” as Seth Godin says. Of course, my book of choice to help is “Getting Things Done” by David Allen.
Will you explain to a Luddite how to post to this list?
As one of my favorite characters, Lifecoach Lurlene, says, instead of starting fresh, think stale! I’m going to look at what’s stale in my life and toss it. Instead of trying to lose weight, I’m going to gain a healthier attitude toward food (adding healthier items) and add more exercise. Instead of giving up the time I spend on the internet, I’ll add a better habit (writing every day). When new habits are added, there isn’t room for the old ones to stick around! While I wish darlin’ Lurlene had a hysterical book to help me along (I’ll just have to go to her performances), I really love the book, Cinch, by Cynthia Sass. Cinch is a great lifestyle-nutrition plan that has great, clean food in appropriate serving sizes!
I have decided to loose some weight ,started with stopping drinking sodas…I started do this as soon as I got weighed in at Dr.’s..Since we eat pretty healthy,I know I still need help,Sat. I ordered “Eat to Live” by Joel Fuhrman,MD. Also since I make lots of sweets but do not eat them,(for shuts and sick people)that’s also a plus ,exercise,doings things outside and things I’ve been too lazy to do much of…it’s hard with the exercising with my health problems but other things are easier,eating more fruits,my daily oatmeal and dried fruits and almonds,we eat lots of dried beans and use olive oil.We are getting to we don’t want much meat ..so hopefully…by my 50th class reunion..I’m be slimmer…Good luck to all,yes I was a skinny most of my life,but just aim to loose weight and keep it of..I’m not working toward skinny but a healthy weight…Reality !!!
To take things slowly and re-read some favorites.
My resolution is to stick to my Weight Watchers plan. Cheated a little over the holidays but my husband and I lost collectively 95 lbs in 2011. We will lose another 10 and both be at our goal weights. It is inspiring to know you can stick to your guns, eat healthy meals and feel great about yourself, knowing that out of everything in life not over eating and being conscious of what you put into your body is one think You can control. Hope to reduce some stress and exercise more.
Great and timely post today. I will definitely walk daily and use portion control, be more patient and giving. A book that is a simple and excellent resource is would be The Food You Crave. Many thanks.
OOH This is what I am talking about. I am resolving to a healthier me. I was there and then mid June of 2011 I was in an accident on my road bike that took me out of the game for a while. Once I was able to get back up to full routine…I found I kind of lazed out, my good healthy habits had kind of diminished…
Now I am signed up for the Tough Mudder in May and I have a lot of prep to do… I wish I could name a book that will help me get there and the ones you have above look awesome, I just do not have a book currently that I am counting on to push me.
My 2 resolutions:
1. Logging more cardio minutes. My sister and I are in a contest to see who can log more. The loser buys the winner a head of lettuce.
2. No spend year and this means books too (!)
And this is why I need to win this contest. Trying to get “resolution” books at the library in January is a trick at best.
The book I find myself turning to each new year is The Four Agreements. It’s a great recharge, renew and refresh book. My goal this year is to return to the workforce outside my home. Wish me luck!
My resolution this year is to lose weight in get in shape. So I ordered The skinny on losing weight without being hungry by Louis aronne M.D.
I’ve spent the last few years saying, “No resolutions, I’ll only break them.” So this year I’m just going to try to do a bit more, sewing, reading, and walking. If I can do these little things, the harder ones will be able to edge a bit closer to fulfillment.
I’ve spent many years biting my tongue. In 2012, I just might let go…
My resolution this is to reach my goal weight, only 15 pounds to go and to maintain that weight! I think the book that would help me to reach that goal would a new book I saw called “The Petite Diet”.
My goal is to read or listen to at least 100 books in 2012. I’m off to a good start since I finished Micro by Michael Crichton and Richard Preston this morning and expect to finish Robert B Parker’s Killing the Blues by Michael Brandman tonight.
My goal is to worry less and enjoy life more. I want to make this the best year ever!
After taking Intro. to Philosophy (C+ *gasp*), I’m still baffled. So I’m going to take the plunge again . . . Plato’s The Republic, it is. (Oh yeah, my other resolution is to brush my dog’s teeth more often, philosophically speaking!)
1. Clean out the house. My house is stuffed with stuff that have overstayed their welcome and it’s time to evict!
2. Organize my ‘important’ papers. Need to have my accounts, investments, etc. in some sort of organized way. (“Organize Your Mind, Organize Your Life” would help tremendously)
3. Read more and read faster. At my current rate, I’ll never get through the piles of books that I want to read.
4. Write more.
Organization is my goal so “Organize your mind, Organize your life” sounds as if it would be a good place to begin.
Clean out my TBR book pile so that no books have to remain on the floor waiting for a place on my myriad of bookshelves!
Besides the working out more every year resolution, I’m also trying to go from vegetarian to vegan. I bought the book “Vegan’s Daily Companion” by Colleen Patrick-Goudreau to help me make the transition. I also took abunch of vegan cookbooks out of the library so i am on my way:)
I just want to find some peace and happiness this year. I also want to stay active during the brutual winter months instead of vegging out on the couch.
One of my resolutions is to read more of the “classic” books that I’ve always meant to read. I have dozens of books on my shelves for someday when I have more time to focus. Odds are, I’ll never have more time until I make some, so this is the year.
My goal this year is to spend my 15 minute increment before leaving in the morning to attempt to re-awaken my spirit that has been deluged under clutter for the past year – mental stress, not watching what I was eating on the physical side, cleaning up stray objects that aren’t needed any more, and whatever else helps me become more balanced again.
I’m On good reads and I have a goal of 30 books to read to meet it,also to get more organized. I did a whole house purge two years ago,so now is time to redo it all again and thank goodness it’s no where near like it was. I love reading continueing stories like J.D.Robbs, Eve Dallas stories,the in Death series,have them all,and I love the Emily March series,Heartach falls,(just got Lover’s leap) and can’t wait to start it,as well as Christine Feehan (Sea Haven series)also just got her new one,(Spirit Bound)another one I’m looking foward to diving into.
I plan on implementing “1-2-3 Magic” by Thomas Phelan for effective discipline with children.
My resolutions are to read 80 books this yr. My total for 2011 was 68 and to increase my weight training to 3 x a week
My New Year’s resolution is just to be healthly and to read as many books as I can. Also to exercise every day.
My new years goal is to reach a healthy weight for me. I hope to be 40 pounds thinner by June! I also want to clean the clutter out of my house. The book I would like to read is Working Out Sucks! I totally agree with this!!!
I will lose 20 pounds this year. I know it can be done because I did it 2 years ago but I gained it all back
I hope to improve my career prospects and get a better job this year, and also to travel. Professional organizing books would be on my reading list. It would help to be organized for both.
I resolve to take better care of my body so that I can be around to help others in my life, whether family or friends. “Every Body Matters’ is the ideal book for helping me keep this resolution throughout the year and not just the first two or three weeks.
This year I have made my fitness resolution simple — do something better for myself every single day. Whether its taking the stairs rather than the elevator, walking over to thank a colleague rather than sending an e-mail, taking a quick walk around the the outside of the building for some fresh air, or chasing every cup of coffee or bottle of soda with a glass of water — I am consciously doing something better for myself. I figure before long the “better” items will become my preferences.
I love your resolution! It’s one we all should try.
This year, I resolve to get organized, in all areas of my life! To guide me, I am following the plans in ‘One Year to an Organized Life’, by Regina Leeds.
I resolve to keep trying – with exercise and all things I do badly. I will read Charles Dickens, because he always makes me feel better about things.
This year, I would like to very slowly lose and keep off my extra 15 lbs. I always try to lose fast then get bored and go back to old eating habits. I would also love to learn and practice meditation to find peace within myself. I am now a 5 year breast cancer survivor and feel all the above will help me continue to be in good health.
My New Year’s Resolution is to read more and to maintain my 4.0 GPA — all while working full time. I’d also love to learn more about photography, maybe with the help of Digital Photography for Dummies.
This year I am going with yu are never too old to improve, improvise, and become the full wholesome creatures we were meant to be; without all the minutie of all the years of pressure to be someone we are not to be a pleasing companion,mother and friend. This a year of emancipation
and exhaltation of who I am.
My aim is to declutter my home. My hope is that by accomplishing that, I will feel so good that changing other things in my life won’t seem so hard.
to make changes that will stick…52 Small Changes book will help! looks good and achievable
My resolution is to try to remember customer’s names who come in to my workplace. I am again going to try to eat healthier!
I am going to start training for a half marathon, and shake up my exercise routine by adding more outdoor activities–hiking, biking, walking, x-country skiing, etc.
I’m going to stop using the treadmill as a clothes hanger and actually walk on it in 2012. The book “Working Out Sucks” looks like just what I need.
The number one book for me is David Allen’s Getting Things Done. My house is not neat and organized. That’s the goal of 2012.
I want to read, read read!!!!!!!
I plan to maintain my recently lost 15 pounds with a heartsmart, sugar free, low fat diet … of course, some exercise. Walking is my favorite rewarded with a good book to follow!
I’ve decided that I won’t do any more resolutions…they never get fulfilled! Instead, I will try to do my best to be kinder to others, to be more patient and not worry so much!
To read more! (and no I’m not pandering)
I want to be a “new” me. Lose weight, be happy, and read more!
It’s all about the “P”s. That’s right. This year I’m going to curb my Procrastination, be Punctual, shed some Pounds, Pay my bills on time and stop being a People Pleaser!!! This book is gonna help me do it!!
http://www.amazon.com/Time-Warrior-procrastination-people-pleasing-over-commitment/dp/1600250378/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1325605218&sr=1-3
I have good habits, my problem is reenforcement. I need to learn to stay focused and disciplined. Also, acquiring employment after a year’s “hiatus” will go a long way!
My resolution is to start eating healthier again. Slipped into bad eating over the Thanksgiving & Christmas holidays. I need to get my Weight Watchers cook books out again.
My resolution is to start to get organized so “Hoarders” will stop calling to see if I will be on their show!
I just joined a gym. It would be awesome to learn how, in fact, working out doesn’t have to suck. Because I haven’t figured it out yet. So I need Chuck Runyon to explain it to me.
I would love to read “Organize Your Mind, Organize Your Life” as my New Year’s resolution is to get more of the little things done that keep crowding my daily schedule.
I am a mystery buff, but this year I am resolving to read more classics and have started with Dostoyevsky’s The Brothers Karamazov.
Stop rushing and breathe. Keep a reading journal. Lose 10 pounds.
my resolution is to bring my actions more in sync with my heart, using the happiness project as a workbook…
my family’s goal is to eat less meat and to make conscious food choices. Michael Pollan’s ‘Food Rules’ was the impetus for these goals, as was ‘Forks Over Knives’.
I want to be able to de-clutter my home and live a simpler life. A purging of sorts and a getting back to the basics. I often ask myself, “Do I really need this?” And most often than not, the answer is no. For 2012, I want to re-organize and de-clutter not only my home, but all parts of my life. I think a book that might help me do that would be “Throw Out 50 Things: Clear the Clutter, Find Your Life.” http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/books/Throw-Out-Fifty-Things-Clear-Gail-Blanke/9780446505789-item.html?ikwid=throw+out+fifty+things&ikwsec=Home
My resolution is to be more organized in my life with the hopes of it enabling me to begin working on my dreams. The book that will help me is “Organize your mind, organize your life”: Paul Hammerness
I am just going to plan to be the very best “me” I can be. I am not really going to make resolutions, but rather set goals, both personally and professionally. The book I would like to utilize is The Journal of Best Practices. As an educator, we hear daily about strategies that we use in our classroom, and how they must be research-based, and best practices, so I would like to investigate this one. Happy New Year! -Mo
My top “two” resolutions for 2012:
Eat less and dance more
Start my own book club
Just ordered the new WW One Pot Meals cookbook to get me started with resolution number 1. Number 2 is already taking shape and I can’t wait for our initial start up gathering. Happy New Year!
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I have been doing yoga for years, but quit weightlifting a few years ago when I got a shoulder injury. Now that I’m turning 50, I would like to add that back into my routine. I was given a copy of “New Rules of Lifting for Women” by Lou Schuler and it looks like it will get me back into lifting without injury. I’m going to give it a whirl!
I resolve to write in a journal every day to both hone my skills and find my inner child (thank you to Chris Van Allsburg and all of the the amazing contributors to “The Chronicles of Harris Burdick!”).
My first focus will be helping women’s shelters in my community. These are charities often overlooked. Between economy and all the other factors, women trying to learn to survive on their own need all the help they can get.
I also filled out an application to become a children’s advocate to help abused children.
In other words as the Bible tells us in the book of James, “Faith without works is dead”
Hopefully I’ll be busy enough to lose a little weight
Joyce Meyers books are my favorite choices, “Living Beyond Your Feelings” her newest. Joyce is honest, funny and an inspiration to me.
My goal is to eat healthier. To help me with this I’m going to reread Michael Pollan’s The Omnivore Dilemma and In Defense of Food.
For 2012 I want to add more exercise to my routine. I play tennis (dbls) about 4 times per week but want to add more power walking on days I don’t play. Also would love to drop about 5 -10 lbs so want to add more fruits and veggies and drop excess of sugar. I am a reader also, and want to add more non-fiction on my reading.
I read 77 books in 2011; I’m increasing my goal to read at least 80 in 2012.
Using weight watchers books have helped me alot.You get plenty ,easy to follow and can do on line&meetings also. I’m buying more raw veggies,doing simple recipes,with very little meat,and enjoying the challenge and working together with family. We are also cleaning out,donating and recycling more..helps us and helps others…Happy Healthy New Year,Luck to all.
My 2012 resolution is to focus on being in the present with myself and my son….to really explore who I am……books are towering on my nightstand but include Self-Compassion by Dr. Kristin Neff; Buddhism for Mothers by Sarah Napthali and The Rhythm of Family by Amanda Blake Soule. Don’t get me wrong, I would love to drop 20 pounds but I figure defining me is one of the first steps.
I like what someone else said. “Take things more slowly.” Re-read some favorites. Make sure I catch the new ones from my favorite authors, and try some authors I haven’t read before.
One of my resolutions is to eat healthier, not justt to lose weight but to feel better and have more energy. I will be using two books by bob green to give me ideas.
My resolution is to work on me. I am a mom of two boys and I feel like its my time to not only start exercising, but work on self esteem, and some more of my dreams.
Every year I say THIS is the year I will get more organized. “Organize your Mind Organize your Life” may help me to achieve that goal.
One resolution is to cook more interesting food at home and Julia Childs cookbooks are going to be my saving grace!
My New Year’s resolution is to be more active. Maybe I need to try more audiobooks, so I will get out and walk more often.
This is a timely contest! I could easily make ten New Year’s resolutions. Sticking to them is the hard part.
I want to get more organized, so I will reread Julie Morgenstern’s “Organizing from the Inside Out”.
Interestingly, two of these books are already on my way-t00-long “to read” list! The Journal of Best Practices by David Finch; Organize Your Mind, Organize Your Life by Paul Hammerness, M.D., and Margaret Moore. Now I have to add 52 Small Changes to it as well. My goal is to make a few small changes to my day: to do something fun with my children 20 minutes each day, to read 20 minutes each day, and to walk 20 minutes each day.
I want what a most want. 1. Lose weight. 2. Get healthy. 3. Get Organized.
I hope “The Me Project: 21 Days to Living the Life You’ve Always Wanted” by Kathi Lipp can help.
Fewer snacks, less alcohol, more exercise. I don’t have a book for that. It is what it is.
This is my year to simplify.
I am going to try to lose weight, save money and not smoke cigarettes. I have my eye on “Working Out Sucks!” and I hope it will kick start some motivation
Lose 20 lbs aka get in shape!
My resolution was to not make any!
To end 2012 in better shape than I started it!!
Being a bit of a history buff,yet enjoying fiction,I find myself “hooked” on the tales of law and the church in 7th century Ireland,written by Peter Tremayne. It should be very interesting to read/study about that era in history. A brother of mine served in the military in the South Pacific area of operations during World War 2;and I would like to read some of the history of that extended war,the last war which the U.S. “won” if ever such a thing really happens in any war.
I will try to run more in preparation for 5K events!
I’m resolving to spend less time at work, and more time enjoying what I’m working for. I don’t have a particular book to help me through it. Maybe I’ll try Organize your mind, Organize your life; or Getting things Done.
Of course I need to eat more of the right stuff and exercise more. I need to read the book my husband bought me 6 yrs ago when I turned 50: Cycling Past 50. My 62 yr old friend cycled 12,000 miles in 2011. I’ve got to catch up!!
I resolve to not make resolutions..don’t keep them beyond February anyway…ho..hum…
I’ve read 100 novels last year, only 5 of them are in English. Others novels are originally in English or Japanese that have been translated into Chinese. My 2012 resolution is that I shall read 20 English novels among the goal of 100!!
My goal is to read outside my comfort zone…starting with Pillars Of the Earth.
I resolved to simplify my finances, hopefully to write fewer checks, and to make more money on investments. I hope to use “Getting Things Done” to keep track of the steps.
Read more classics.
My resolutions are stay healthy, declutter and make friends.
Read more good books from my favorite and new favorite authors!
A little more serenity, a lot less anxiety.
I want to lose weight this year. I hope the book spiritual secrets to weight loss will help me also The Prism weight loss program.
My resolution is to read 100 books this year. *All* the books I have will help me to keep that!
I resolve to make and serve healthier meals for/to myself and my family. I plan to do this by using the book Taste of Home: Everyday Light Meals – this book is awesome because not only does it give you a main dish but also suggests other dishes that go with it thus eliminating a lot of the challenge of coming up with complete meal menus.
I also resolve to walk more and strive for at least 3 30-minute walks a week. I am going to check out the books The Spirited Walker: Fitness Walking For Clarity, Balance, and Spiritual Connection by Carolyn Scott Kortge and Walking Your Blues Away: How to Heal the Mind and Create Emotional Well-Being by Thom Hartmann.
This year I also resolve to spend less so THANK YOU for the opportunity to win FREE books!
My New Year’s resolution is to read 50 books this year and meditate more!
I’m currently reading The Women’s Health Big Book of 15 minute Workouts (or something similar titlewise). I’ll read, or at least look through any promising self-improvement book for tips that I can use.
My new years resolution is to survive being overseas with the military!!
My resolution is to continue to purge things from my home.
Wow, what a great selection! I just purchased the “Diet Minder Personal Food & Fitness Journal.” I am hoping it will keep me accountable for eating healthy and working out!!
“Organize Your Mind, Organize Your Life” really sounds like a great, motivational read. “Working Out Sucks”? That one just sounds true! Just kidding, they all sound worthwhile and interesting.
READ, READ, READ – so many books on the wish list! Being a librarian compounds the issue! But I love it. The Book of Awakening by Mark Nepo, Unchain Your Brain and Change Your Brain, Change Your Body by Dr. Amen – topics that are lifelong New’s Year wishes!
Read and walk–those are my goals! Are you surprised that I often turn to audiobooks? But I still love that time on the couch with a book, a cup of tea, and my cat on my lap. If I win these books, they will appear on the shelves of our public library!
I love the excitement of the New Year – so many possibilities! For 2012, I want to get outside more and walk. Not only to exercise, but to enjoy the wonders of the world. The best book for me, this year, is organize your mind book. I have medical issues and while I wait for a transplant, I’ve found my house getting more and more cluttered. It’s my hope that once I can get the clutter out of my house, it will be gone from my head also. I’d really like a clearer and more focused mind for 2012.
My only official resolution is to just be a little happier. Maybe the Happiness Project will help with that? But there’s also the goal to stay on track with fitness and weight loss. For that I think I might need The Phsyique 57!
I’d like to check out barefoot running, starting with reading one or two books on the subject.
My daughter asked what my resolutions were, and I couldn’t answer in a small way, but the one I’d really like to stick to is at least 5 fruits and veg a day. I bought “The meat lover’s meatless cookbook” which may or may not help.
My New Years resolution is to get to the gym at least 3x per week. I hope the book “Working Out Sucks” will help to motivate me.
One goal is to read more novels, and the other to lose weight with “The 17 Day Diet”, book by Dr. Moreno.
My goal for 2012 is to give myself more time; to give myself time to read and get back to listening to books in the car. I also plan to cook healthy and schedule exercise into my day.
My resolution is better time management (David Allen’s Getting Things Done).
I have a few: inspired by an NPR article, I’m reading a poem a day (I’ve always wanted to “learn” how to read poetry). Reading-wise, I’m going for balance between literary fiction, genre fiction, classics, non-fiction. And, like the first commenter, I’m taking a page from Getting Things Done (which I first have to read) to make 2012 the year to GET THINGS DONE already. I’m tired of long-term to-do lists…
I would like to be more gracious this year. I think 365 Thank Yous: The Year a Simple Act of Gratitude Changed My Life sounds like an inspiring read. I think it would be neat to take something simple and sincere and pass it along to others who have touched my life; it may bring a bit of happiness to others and they may pass it along too…a year of simple blessings! That is my resolution this year…
These books will really help me: all of them. I have to organize my mind so I can organize my life. I’m in the middle of my “sandwich generation” years, caring for parent with Alzheimers and other issues as well as raising kids, working full time stressful job, facing a layoff this year and holding down the fort while husband works out of town most of the week. Oh yea, also resolve to lose weight, get in shape and be a nicer, happier person. And I want to continue my goal of reading at least 25 books a year (without which I’d be crazy).
My New Year’s resolutions include firming up my body and exercising more, along with reading 100 books.
Congratulations on winning a copy of our book, The Physique 57 Solution. We’re sure our 2-week plan will help you achieve your New Year’s resolutions of firming up your body and exercising more. Keep us posted on your progress by either checking in on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/Physique57) or emailing us at facebook@physique57.com.
Best,
The Physique 57 Team
To RELAX! To help me do this, I will read ‘Total Relaxation’ by John R. Harvey PH.D
My New Years Resolution is to lose weight and to exercise more. So on January 1st I joined Jenny Craig. My reading preferences include books about serial killers and mysteries. So that won’t help with keeping my resolutions.
I want to spend more time with my family. I work long hours and this year I want to try and work less and be there for my family. I also want to take better care of myself and home. A book that will hopefully help me with these resolutions is 52 Small Changes: One year to a Happier, Healthier You by Brett Blumenthal.
I am going to be more positive in my outlook. The book The Art of Possibilities is going to help me do that.
two resolutions
read more going to read 25 books this year
get fit – combination of working out more and losing a little weight
Its such as you learn my thoughts! You appear to grasp so much about this, like you wrote the ebook in it or something. I feel that you can do with a few % to drive the message house a little bit, but other than that, that is wonderful blog. A great read. I’ll definitely be back.