Photo: rick, Flickr

We often think of a new job, freshman year in college, filing for divorce or the swing shift as major life changes that generate a nasty high score on one of those life events stress tests. Instead of viewing them as opportunities for renewal, we wave our high score to friends and family as proof this is no time to start eating right or exercising.

No need to reach for cake when you're stressed out. Life change can be just the time to rev up healthier personal habits. As you walk past all those strange cubicle-mates, you can turn into the new guy or gal who is known for pushing through another 10 reps at the company gym. Katherine Hobson at U.S. News & World Report has just the right tips for a fresh start:

• New Environments Shake Up Bad Habits. Maybe you always had a raspberry bar and a caffeine jolt at your old job to survive the long afternoon. Use the new job as a platform to cut out your old bad habits and start new ones. How about starting to pack a cold fruit salad instead? It helps if there's no java/pastry shop in the lobby.
• Be Prepared. Take the time to analyze your new life change. How can it positively or negatively impact your fitness and eating habits? Make a plan to avoid the negative traps and jump on those new chances for a fitter, not fatter, you. Keep it simple and pick three things you'll improve as you embrace change.
• First Month Matters. Habits form after about a month of consistent behavior. Fill your new environment with a stream of healthy triggers and associations. Make your new lifestyle leisure time work for you -- join the softball team, a jogging club or find a 24-hour gym that satisfies your unique work schedule.

Still worried? Check out these nine things you can stop worrying about over at AOL Health.