Countdown to the New Year! 1...

We're almost there. Just one day left until the New Year!

The start of the new year is an opportunity for a fresh start. Have you thought about your resolutions for 2013 yet? Do you want to improve your diet? Exercise more regularly? Cook more meals at home? Make more time for family and friends?

Whatever goal you decide to set for yourself, set yourself up for success by making it realistic. We may start the New Year off excited to work on our goals, but that excitement can wane fairly quickly as we get back into the hustle and bustle of daily life. Think about what you can realistically achieve. Once you achieve that goal, you can always set a new one!

Click here to read more about setting realistic goals for lifestyle changes.

This marks the end of our countdown to the New Year! I hope you have a fun New Year's Eve and ring in the New Year with healthy, happy aspirations. See you in 2013!

Countdown to the New Year! 2...

2 days left!

I hope this post finds you relaxing at home, cozied up in your pjs, enjoying some time away from work with family and friends. If so...that calls for a special breakfast! Try one of these recipes--all perfect for breakfast on a wintery Saturday at home.

How about a fancied-up version of the Egg McMuffin? This "green eggs and ham-"inspired recipe is egg, ham, cheese, tomato and Spicy Spinach Pesto on a whole wheat english muffin.

Or some Whole Wheat and Flax Pancakes?

Or Creamy Golden Oatmeal?

Scroll down for more tips from our New Years countdown.

Countdown to the New Year! 3...

3 days to go...

Make a date tonight with your honey and/or kids to go ice skating. It's a fun and romantic way to spend a winter night. Plus it will keep you moving at a time of year when we could all probably use an excuse for more exercise. If your town has an outdoor ice skating rink, that's even better! Bundle up and enjoy an activity that never gets old, no matter how old you are!

Scroll down to read more tips from our countdown.

Countdown to the New Year! 4...

4 days to go...

Do you have some yummy holiday leftovers? Don't let them sit in the fridge and tempt you into re-creating the holiday feast time and time again. Pack them away for freezing in portion-controlled containers or get creative by turning them into some new meals.

Get some ideas here in my article on Yahoo! Shine.

Scroll down for more tips from our countdown.

Countdown to the New Year! 5...

Only 5 days 'til the New Year!

Go outside today and burn off some of those extra Holiday calories!

Do you have snow?

• Build a snowman
• Go sledding
• Go skiing or snowboarding

No snow? It's still a great time to enjoy winter activities.

• Go for a walk--in the neighborhood, at a park or on a local trail
• Go ice skating
• Hit the post-Christmas sales! Walking while shopping counts too :)

Scroll down for more tips from our countdown.

Photo: FreeDigitalPhotos.net