New Year's Eve is fast approaching. When the numbers 2-0-0-9 light up Times Square, they'll have been powered not by traditional energy, but by human-powered energy.

Duracell set up a "Power Lodge" in Times Square where people can come and ride a stationary bike to generate energy that will be stored and used during the New Year's celebration. And while many average Joes and Janes are surely contributing to the 230 hours of bike riding needed, some famous faces (and legs) have stopped by as well. Just think -- not only is the Duracell Power Station generating green energy, it's also helping New Yorkers shed some extra calories; 230 hours of bike riding has burned roughly 131,560 calories from the combined volunteers. That's not too shabby!

Gisele Bundchen did her part. She said her efforts were "in support of the Agua Limpa Project which was started by my father and provides clean drinking water to people in regions of Brazil." Good for you, Gisele -- but are you engaged or aren't you?. Other celebs who have hopped on the bike include Katie Couric, Nick Lachey, Natasha Bedingfield and Christian Siriano.

[via Tonic]

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Still have holiday goodies hanging around the house? I know it's hard, but it's time to stick them in the trash. January 1st is just two days away, and we want you to be ready.

Is weight loss on your list of New Year's resolutions? Here are five easy ways to make that resolution stick, once and for all. Here's to hitting your goal weight in 2009!

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Who can forget the image of Carol Burnett as Scarlet O'Hara, complete with curtain rods? Actress and comedian Carol Burnett is as loved as the quirky characters she's played. So it's great to hear that she's taking good care of herself.

When asked what her New Year's resolution is, Burnett said, "Just to keep on keeping on -- and something for my own personal self, to continue to exercise. It's a tough one, but I do pilates, and they do help, for the bones and general flexibility. You have to have a trainer, and I have a wonderful gal who helps me. I'm not too thrilled as I'm doing them, but afterward I feel great."

Check out other TV stars New Year's resolutions.

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What did Reese Witherspoon make for her family on Christmas day? Well, it's warm, it's sweet, it's baked in the oven and it's made with love by Reese herself. I don't know about you but I for one am glad there are some celebs our there who celebrate Christmas the same way my family does -- with lots of food.

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The feast is finished -- right? Maybe Christmas lingers at your house so we'll give you a few days before we expect you at boot camp, ready and willing to kick your holiday butt back into gear. No waiting for January 1, though. We want you up and at 'em sooner rather than later.

Woman's Day magazine features one killer boot camp workout, sure to slim your physique, flatten your abs and tighten your tush. Avigale Lagrass, fitness trainer at the Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort & Spa, is your drill instructor and a whole series of strength-training and cardio exercises is what she's got in store. Check out this fancy slide show and get ready to drill.

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This morning, I encouraged you to start a new tradition with your family -- a healthy one. So instead of chugging egg nog and gossiping about Aunt Rita's new facelift, don your winter coat, hats, mittens and snow boots and head out to the great outdoors. Here are five activities you can do as a family:

• Go tobogganing. The going down part? Exhilarating. The going up part? Exhausting. You're sure to work off those extra calories you're planning on eating at Christmas dinner -- or perhaps you've already eaten them.
  
• Build a snowman. Extra points if you can make it look like someone famous. Though I'm thinking Amy Winehouse might not work, seeing as the hair is bigger than the body.
  
• Have a snowball fight. Play nice ... or not. It depends on your family dynamics, I guess.
  
• Make snow angels. Come on, when was the last time you did that?
• Play Wii. OK, the outdoors isn't for everyone. If the whole clan ishappier in front of the TV, so be it -- just make sure you're getting active at the same time.
  

Have a healthy family tradition of your own? Do share.

It's Christmas Day and the last thing you're probably thinking about is pirates.

But if you've got time for a quick workout before your company arrives, Fitz and Paddie (a.k.a. Captain Feathersword of the Wiggles) want to help you stay in shape over the holidays.

While you're there, don't forget to look around ... and Merry Christmas!

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Pour yourself a piping hot cup of cocoa if you get the chance today. There's nothing better for warming your spirits on what might be a chilly day in your neck of the woods. Just two rules: Make it sugar-free, and go easy on the creamy toppings.

The great thing about hot cocoa is that while you sip your way to a toastier spirit, you'll also be helping your heart. Just ask researchers from Yale, who say that downing a cup of the chocolate stuff causes blood vessels to temporarily dilate so the heart doesn't need to pump as hard. The end result, says the crew at Ladies Home Journal: A blood pressure drop to the tune of six points (only three points if your cup contains sugar). Opt for naturally-processed cocoa powder over the Dutch-processed variety, and you'll get even more antioxidants for even better blood flow.

Go ahead -- indulge. It's Christmas. You deserve a treat. And a healthy heart too.

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So your bags are packed, the car is stocked with festive wrapped presents and you're about to go over the river and through the woods when you realize ... you forgot to buy cousin Jimmy a gift.

We've all been there. At this point, you may not have time to purchase one of our favorite fit gifts, but there are still plenty of health-promoting gifts you can pick up on the way to your Christmas celebrations. Check out the gallery for ideas.

It's not to soon to start thinking about that big feast you might tackle tomorrow or that walk you should take just after you stuff down your calories galore.

First things first. Before you head out the door on your power walk, eat some raisins -- they're the perfect pre-walk snack, with the power to help you keep up the pace and crank up your fat-burning reserves.

Check this out: Endurance athletes in one study who ate a few ounces of raisins before 45 minutes of cycling fared better than athletes who threw back a sports gel. Yep, raisin eaters have no problem keeping pace with gel takers, and they have higher blood levels of free fatty acids too.

Raisins rock. They're loaded with antioxidants, fiber, iron and potassium. Best of all, they're easy to sneak into most meals. RealAge suggests trying these sneaky strategies: Sprinkle raisins on hot cereal or on crusty whole-grain bread smeared with peanut butter, toss into your favorite lunch salad, infuse into Indian-inspired cuisine and put them on your pizza.

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'Tis the season to be merry, and being merry usually involves copious amounts of food and drink. While there might be a salad or veggie tray at your disposal, it's more likely that the spread at your next holiday party will be stocked with unhealthy stuff, like egg nog, cookies, cheese and junk food.

What's your Holiday party weakness? Here's what you told us:

• 27 percent of you have a soft spot for Christmas cookies.
  
• 24 percent of you are crazy about chocolate -- but what else is new?
• 14 percent of you say alcohol is your vice.
  
• and seven percent of you said all of the above -- here, here!
  

Thanks for sharing!

If you've got the whole clan assembled for the holidays, chances are you'll be snapping a few shots of the group before, during and after your ginormous Christmas feast. But nobody likes bad photos of themselves -- you know, the ones where you have more chins than a Chinese phone book. You want to eat the turkey -- not look like one.

Female First has some tips on making your chin area look as flattering as possible in your holiday snaps, including:

• Tricks of the make-up trade. Some subtle shading around the jawline can make a world of difference.
  
• A good haircut works wonders too. Accentuate the chin with a bob or long layers.
  
• Elongate your neck when the photo is being snapped, sit or stand up straight and press your tongue to the roof of your mouth.
  
• If you're doing a solo photo, get it taken from slightly above and to one side -- then follow the previous steps.
  

Got any tips of your own?

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Supermarket guru Phil Lempert was on The View the other day, offering all sorts of tips for saving bucks on holiday meals. According to Lempert, 63 percent of us say food prices are so dramatically high, we need to do something about it. Here's what he says we should do.

• Skimp on shrimp. It's all frozen anyway. Even the stuff in the glass case that looks all pretty and fresh has been previously frozen. So march right over to the freezer aisle, and grab yourself a bag of frozen-solid stuff. It'll cost you maybe $8, compared to $25. Make your own cocktail sauce too. Horseradish sauce and ketchup are all you need.
• Buy ham in a can. You can pay $69 for a big 'ol ham or $15 for a canned one.
  
• Ban the bakery and buy store-bought cookies, make your own pumpkin pie and mix up your own egg nog too.

Want more money-saving tips? The gals at The View have got you covered.

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Over the past couple of months, Bethany and Maggie have been diligently updating you with their picks for the best fit gifts available this holiday season. Now, with only two days until Christmas, it's crunch time. You've gotta get your gifts together and under the tree pronto.

Need some inspiration? Here are a few of the best of the best fit gifts of 2008:

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It takes a hard-core fitness buff to run in the frigid winter weather. It takes just a touch of insanity to run in the winter ... in a Speedo ... wearing a Santa hat.

Need a little inspiration? Or maybe just a time-out from all the holiday hoopla to look at some hard bodies in Santa wear? Then check out this Santas in Speedos gallery over at Holidash.

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