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I wake up New Year's Day, slightly hung over and stumble downstairs. My eyes are crusted shut, so I can only see through two tiny slits. These slits lead me to the coffee machine. I turn it on and grab a doughnut from the bag left on the counter. Then, I flip on the television to MTV and hope an American's Top Model marathon is about to begin. In my half-conscious stupor, my eyes open a little wider. Suddenly, I realize today is the day that I am to commence the journey as the new me. I look at my doughnut, which is only half-finished and throw it away. I turn off the coffee machine and dump out the pot. I change the channel from MTV to CNN. There, that's a better start to becoming skinnier, caffeine-free and more intellectual, I think to myself.

Although I had planned and anticipated my resolutions for the past week or so, I realize, as the day passes, that I did nothing to prepare myself to actuate my promises. As my hang over lingers, the coffee machine winks and beckons me every time I walk by the kitchen. I'm easily seduced, especially by coffee and have to muster up all my willpower to not turn it on. Staring at CNN equates staring at a blank television screen for me. It isn't making me feel smarter. Instead, my lack of political savviness makes me feel bad about myself. My cabinets are full of yummy breakfast foods like Pop Tarts and Danishes, and they whisper my name. I run upstairs, take a shower, and commence the battle against the old me.

Charging down the stairs and moving so fast that I do not give myself time to think, I toss out all sweet foods and my coffee, even the good stuff, and cancel my subscription to Us Weekly. I feel liberated. Then, the caffeine and sugar withdrawal team up with my hangover, and I lay on the couch moaning. I call my best friend and tell her I'm dying. As any good friend would, she runs over to the nearest Dunkin, buys me a gallon of coffee and a fifty pack of Munchkins. I slug the coffee and scarf down a bunch of Munchkins, pull out my Us Weeklys from the garbage and hand her one. While disappointed in the short six hours my resolutions lasted, the self-indulgence makes me feel real again. Who wanted a skinny, smarter me, anyway, my friend says. I'd probably have to make all new friends or something.

Throughout the years, I have become much better at keeping promises with myself and even, yes, New Year's resolutions. Before the New Year begins, start preparing yourself and your house for your resolution. Start small. Instead of, "I want to lose ten pounds," try "I want to lose two pounds this month." You can do that. Have your refrigerator stocked before New Year's Day with healthy foods, so no temptations block your path to the new you. Make sure your gym membership is active. After you complete your goal of two pounds, make another goal for two more pounds the following month. Soon, it'll be July and you'll be in your bathing suit feeling more confident and proud. Or, if you resolution involves something else, such as being less lazy, it should not simply be "I will be less lazy." Instead, promise that this month you will not fight with your husband over who puts the DVD in the player, you'll just do it. Every month, add another lazy behavior to the list to correct and by next year, you will have changed twelve lazy habits about yourself. As with any self-sacrifice, however, we must want to change. Saying it will not make it happen. So if you're determined, setting small goals is the best way to better ourselves. Remember, the New Year is another chance to become the better self, another chance for us to get it right. Good luck!

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