Quitting smoking

can be difficult due to the physical and mental addiction, and you will

need to address both aspects to be successful. And since many Americans

are sedentary or have developed bad habits, such as eating when they're

depressed, losing weight and exercising can be the most demanding resolutions.

The Centers

for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says that obesity is becoming

more of a problem in the United States than ever before. "In the

United States, obesity has risen at an epidemic rate during the past 20

years. Research indicates that the situation is worsening rather than

improving."

The CDC also

lists many conditions as health risks associated with obesity, including:

High blood

pressure.

High blood

cholesterol.

Type 2 (non-insulin

dependent) diabetes.

Hyperinsulinemia.

Coronary heart

disease.

Congestive

heart failure.

Stroke.

Obstructive

sleep apnea and respiratory problems.

Some types

of cancer (such as endometrial, breast, prostate and colon).

Complications

of pregnancy.

Poor female

reproductive health (such as menstrual irregularities, infertility and

irregular ovulation).

Bladder control

problems (such as stress incontinence).

Psychological

disorders (such as depression, eating disorders, distorted body image

and low self esteem).

Add to this

staggering list the deaths associated with smoking. According to the CDC,

47 million adults in the United States smoke cigarettes. Smoking is responsible

for more than 430,000 (one in every five deaths) deaths each year and

kills more people than AIDS, alcohol, drug abuse, car crashes, murders,

suicides and fires combined.

If you've thought

about getting in shape and leading a healthier life, this is the time

to exercise, lose weight and quit smoking. You can keep those New Year's

resolutions with simple steps and help from the American Heart Association's

(AHA) new book, "To Your Health! A Guide to Heart-Smart Living."

The AHA's new

book is an informative look at why fad diets don't work, what does work,

and success stories to keep you motivated. Acting as both a guidebook

and workbook, "To Your Health!" concentrates on four steps that

simplify making life changes:

Taking stock

of your life.

Discovering

what you really want.

Uncovering

your personal barriers.

Starting a

simple plan you can live with.

Rebecca Mullis,

Ph.D., head of the University of Georgia Food and Nutrition Department,

explains that we most often fail to keep resolutions when we use the wrong

tools.

"Every

one of us has our own unique ways to succeed," said Mullis. "We

have to find something we can and want to do to get ourselves moving in

the right direction. Telling people who don't like broccoli that they

have to eat it will guarantee that they fail eventually. This book doesn't

give concrete rules, it's about choices."

Whether it's

breaking through the 10 biggest exercise excuses, discovering eight reasons

to lose weight and 10 secrets to keep it off, or beating the 14 most common

smoking triggers, there are tips to help conquer every vice. Along with

tips, each chapter features self-tests quizzes that help people discover

what causes them to backslide and what can drive them to succeed.

One man's lifelong

struggle with weight loss expresses the most important point about taking

control of your life and making it a healthier one. "I and I alone

am responsible for my size," says Ralph, an overweight child and

obese adult. "I determine my own fate."

You can lose

weight, start exercising and quit smoking if you want to make those choices.

"To Your Health!" will help you to stay focused and succeed

in your health goals. "To Your Health! A Guide to Heart-Smart Living"

is available from general retailers and booksellers.

For more information

about the American Heart Association, visit its Web site at www.americanheart.org .

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