Higher resolutions. (beautycare).

By now, those New Year's resolutions you so stalwartly made may be fading like bad rouge. But take heart--there's still time to make beneficial changes. You just have to refocus from the negative "I won't" kind of message to the positive personal promises that allow you to enjoy life and be healthier. Here are a few suggestions that may inspire you to keep going--because you're worth it.

lose weight, gain welt-being

Changing your focus from body weight and appearance to health and quality of life can make any weight-loss regimen more uplifting and rewarding. For example, if you focus on exercise's proven anti-depressant and stress-busting effects, you're less likely to fixate on your body shape, compare yourself to others or harbor the feelings of resentment that arise when you concentrate only on looking acceptable. Exercising for health rather than for weight loss allows you to know you're doing something entirely for you.

balance body chemistry

Nutritional and hormonal imbalances are often the real issues that make keeping our health resolutions more challenging than they need to be. Even cravings for caffeine, alcohol and cigarettes can be intensified by these chemical imbalances.

Refined sugar and high-glycemic (high blood sugar-impact) foods and juices, for example, can perpetuate a vicious cycle of low moods, energy slumps and intense cravings. Eating high-glycemic foods raises insulin (a blood glucose) levels, which in turn causes blood sugar levels to drop and increases sugar cravings. Satisfying these cravings causes the process to repeat itself, while also stimulating fat storage.

To keep high-glycemic foods from wreaking havoc on your health, limit your intake of these diet dangers: rice cakes, white bread, white potatoes, highly processed cereals, bananas, corn, bagels, raisins and honey.