With 2008 just days away, many people are pondering New Year’s resolutions. There’s definitely something about a fresh calendar year that jump starts our desire to make positive changes. Being surrounded by friends, family, and co-workers who are also brainstorming ways to improve makes this an especially ideal time for such endeavors. Bonus!

Over the next week we will be exploring some of the most popular New Years resolutions in a new series of blog posts. Please be sure to come back again and let us know which of the featured resolutions that you will be committing to, or to suggest tips for sticking to new resolutions.

The most popular New Years resolution is always Get In Shape. There are countless ways to do this, and here are a few of my favorite tips and products.

For the Yoga Newbie: The Yoga for Beginner’s Kit from renowned yoga expect Rodney Yee contains everything you’ll need to get started with yoga. My favorite part is the marked yoga mat that shows you just where to place your feet and hands. And, if you do it regularly, “this 20-minute complete practice yields more benefits than a 90 minute yoga class once a week.” Yoga For Inflexible People is another good introductory DVD that is a user favorite. $30 & $10.99

When Space is Limited: You’ll be hard pressed to find a piece of exercise equipment that is smaller than the Mini Stepper with Resistance Cords. Taking up less than 2 square feet, it provides a no-impact, high-intensity, full body, strength and cardio workout. The built-in computer tracks time and steps, and since it’s so portable you can bring it to work and exercise while sitting at your desk. $69

Sexy Fit: Varying your routine is key in sticking to your exercise plan. If things get boring, try a DVD or class that will spice things up. I didn’t think I would enjoy the Aerobic Striptease DVD series, but I was pleasantly surprised when it actually turned out to be fun. The first 2 DVDs (”Aerobic Striptease” and “Fit To Strip”) make excellent additions to your overall workout plan, or would make great beginning points for those who are just beginning to exercise. Either way, you’re likely help you to feel more confident “in your skin”. For more sexy exercise options, check out the wildly popular Pole Dancing Kit! $34.99 & $99

I can’t say enough good things about instructional fitness videos: they are way more appealing to me than the gym. Plus, this winter weather doesn’t exactly compel most people to go outside. My fellow indoor fitness lovers will appreciate this final collection of exercise DVDs.

World Dance Inspired: This is a category near to my heart. There are movement styles from other countries that are so beautiful, exotic, unique, and sometimes quite sexy. Even better: If you feel you “can’t dance”, you may feel differently after trying one of these new styles. These titles are customer favorites, best sellers on Amazon, and are all on my To Buy/Rent DVD list.
L to R: Dance the Chakras, Bellydance Basics and Beyond, Bollyrobics Dance Workout, African Healing Dance and Hoopnotic Hoopdance Level 1 (PS- I’ve recently fallen in love with hula hooping for fun and fitness. Highly recommended.)

Photo by Cheryl Empey

Gaiam’s prices are already competitive for the eco-friendly niche products that they sell, but when they have their Annual Sale you can save an additional 20-75% off. Many of us don’t have the budget to purchase only green products, so this sale is an excellent opportunity to switch to organic cotton towels (50% off), compact fluorescent bulbs (up to 70% off), solar powered battery chargers (40% off), and the like. They also have a large yoga/Pilates & fitness section, which includes such steals as the Sports Conditioning Yoga Kit for just $19.99. It includes extra long yoga mat, foam brick, yoga strap, Sports Conditioning Mini Workouts instructional DVD, and Power Yoga Flexibility VHS. There’s also lots of yoga/fitness clothing on sale, such as the 80% off Yoga Top and the 62% off Yoga Pants

In the Decor & Furniture section there are these Recycled Luminaries (made by women in a rural Mexican village) that I’ve loved since they debuted Christmas 2005, and now you can snag them for 50% off.

Gaiam is perhaps my favorite green online store, and they believe that “…given a choice, people would choose a lifestyle that is healthy and life enhancing — for themselves, their families and the Earth… The Gaiam lifestyle is a vote for Media that Matters, individual wellness, and the sustainability of the Earth’s resources.” Now there’s a company I’m happy to spend my “dollar votes” at.