5 easy to keep health resolutions for 2012

Making resolutions for the new year is one thing, but keeping them is a whole different thing! Let's be honest... A week in the gym and maybe two weeks without sweets often ends with one stray chocolate bar that destroys the motivation to keep going. The most important thing to keep in mind while making resolutions is that it has to be realistic. If you're addicted to doughnuts, don't vow to eat nothing but muesli and yogurt for breakfast. Be truthful to yourself. Here are a few easy health resolutions you can make and keep in 2012! Stress less Chronic stress can lead to hypertension, a weakened immune system and even a shortened lifespan. Do your best to drop your stress. For example, enroll in a meditation class. Mindfulness meditation can give you the tools to deal with everyday challenges without letting them get you stressed. Making a conscious effort and asking for help when needed will help get a better lifestyle. Eat nuts Drop the chips and pick up some almonds or walnuts instead. Both nuts have been shown to lower cholesterol. A 2002 study published in the journal Circulation found that people who ate two handfuls of almonds a day lowered their bad cholesterol (LDL) by 9.4%. Walnuts performed even better, with a handful of the nuts slashing LDL by about 10%. So make nuts your between meal snack! Walk more Take a break and take a walk. A 30-minute walk six days a week has been shown to have profound health benefits. A study by Duke University found that walking can decrease hypertension, lower bad cholesterol levels and help you lose weight. Add a quick walk into your daily routine and you'll see great results. A simple resolution to make and easy to keep. Do pushups everyday Almost nothing can beat push-ups: They're simple, they're effective and they're free; you can drop and push out a dozen of them with enough practise, and they work your chest, shoulders, triceps, abs, and legs. Push-ups are one of the best strength-building exercises ever devised. Keep your body straight like a plank, drop down and then push up. Try to work a set of 10 to 20 push-ups into your daily routine. By adopting this simple habit, you'll build upper body strength and stamina in a matter of weeks. Pick a sport to play The best exercise is fun exercise, so pick a sport. Playing sports will get you fit, and, more importantly, will keep you motivated to stay fit. The key is finding something that you enjoy and then striking a balance between fun and competitiveness. Too much competitiveness can lead to conflict, injury or worse. On the other hand, have too much fun and you might not feel like it's even worth playing. Finding the right mix will keep you in the game.