It’s that time of year: another year passes and a new one is upon us. As we look back at both it’s successes, and perhaps failures, what happened? They can range from the personal, the financial, the physical, to anything in between. Perhaps you made a goal in 2011 to get healthier: lose weight, exercise more, eat better, etc. How did you do? Did you succeed of fail miserably? Don’t worry and don’t give up if you did. You can change your health in 2012!

Let look at some ways you can start fresh this year and change your health in 2012! These are all simple things to do, but when you put them all together you will be able to see and feel the change in your health.

First, if you don’t have a space in your home to focus on fitness, create one. Have an area with a television, a fitness mat, a fitball, maybe some weights or kettle balls, and spend some time there three to five days a week. If you don’t know what to do, use the television to watch fitness DVD’s. There are many on the market that will get you moving.

If you are not getting your eight hours of sleep a night you will never really change your health in 2012. You have to get enough sleep so you have the energy to function. Hormone levels will never be stable if you deprive your body of sleep. And don’t workout before bed! This will definitely confuse your body into thinking it’s time to be full of energy when in fact you want to hit the hay.

How about avoiding the stress in your life! I believe a lot of the stress we experience we put on ourselves. Try something new this year. Relax about the bills, the kids, work, etc. Get a very inspirational book this week and read it. Something like The Secret, or whatever inspires you. Change you mental focus from the negative to the positive. Spend so much time on finding good in yourself, and others, that you won’t have time to live in the negative. By doing this the stress will just disappear. Trust Franz, this works! Oh, and stop watching the news!!! You don’t need to know who got murdered today! It’s all negative and you don’t need the added stress of carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders!

Okay, here’s two indulgences that I think are really good for you, in moderation of course: organic 70% dark chocolate, and organic red wine with no detectable sulfites. Both are packed with antioxidants that can help lower your cholesterol and reduce inflammation.

Okay, there are so many more ways to change your health in 2012, so come back again tomorrow and I’ll pass along a few more ideas!