Diet derailers are everywhere -- in your house, in the grocery store, at work, at play, in your head even. Here, we'll address the very things that throw us off course. Together, we'll learn how to avoid our diet traps -- and how to get back on track when we can't.

I have mixed emotions about New Year's resolutions. Sure, they can be great and all. I mean, who can argue that resolving to clean up your diet and fine-tune your fitness are not good ideas? I guess I'm with Karla, though -- resolutions should not be tied to the calendar (read: January 1), and they should not be short-lived, as so many of them are. Resolutions should be made on any old day of the year (I resolved to change my diet and exercise routine one year in May, as good a month as any), and they should be viewed as life-long, life-changing tweaks. Treat them as fleeting brand-new-year intentions, my friends, and what you've got is the potential for a major diet derailer.

Think of the typical New Year's weight-loss and fitness resolutions like you would a crash diet. They come on fast, deliver some swift success, then taper off, leaving life to return to its usual pattern, which often includes bags of chips, cookies, Coke and lots of channel surfing. Nothing like a set-back of this nature to send you back for another Snickers bar and another dose of diet depression.

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Ah, the new year -- 'Tis the season to make promises to yourself that you probably won't keep. Oh well, at least you're not the only one. Family, friends and even celebrities are all making resolutions. AOL Television recently got the scoop on what TV's hottest stars are resolving to do or not to do in the new year. Here are some tidbits:

• Jaime Pressley: "I say your resolution should be to do whatever it takes to make yourself happy. If you're happy and feel healthy and good about yourself, everyone around you will feel it, especially your children. You are what you project."

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What's the best way to ring in the New Year? Why, with a bottle of bubbly and those close to your heart, of course. But not all champagnes are created equal.

Want to do your waistline a favour? Fitsugar has some tips on which bottle to choose.

Welcome to the last day of 2008. Is it just me or did this year whiz by at lightening speed? Besides breaking out a new calendar, you know what December 31st means -- breaking out some new resolutions. Last week, I was wondering what your healthy resolutions for 2009 will be, and here's what you had to say:

• 29 percent of you want to lose weight. We've heard this one before.
  
• 25 percent want to get in shape.
• 18 percent want to adopt more healthy habits in general.
• 6 percent want to take more time for themselves.
• And 13 percent say "All of the above!"
  

Whatever your resolution may be, do what you can to ensure that it doesn't wind up on your list next year, OK?

How many late Decembers have you spent furiously resolving to do this and not do that?

Welcome to the Good, the Fat and the Hungry. I'm Karla and I have been -- or am -- all those things. Here, I will share with you my lifelong struggle with my weight, and I hope you'll follow along on with my determined attempt to lose nearly 40 pounds. I promise to tell you every win and setback along the way every Tuesday and Friday.

If I hear "New Year, New You" one more time, I am going to gag. As we prepare for 2009, you'll notice that weight loss centers and gyms have stepped up their marketing campaigns. They're banking on the masses resolving to lose weight, as so many do every year this time. I have personally made that resolution at least 25 times but never kept it past the end of January. Usually, a tax refund would end it because of course, I had to celebrate the extra cash with an exotic meal.

I have resolved this year to not make any resolutions. I am excited about what the New Year holds, but my fitness is not connected to the calendar. Fitness and healthy eating are a part of my daily grind. There's nothing wrong with this resolution. Weight loss as a goal at any point is great. The problem are the highs and lows created when you make it a resolution.

As your fancy online fitness trainer, the ability to teach through video is an invaluable tool. The written word is wonderful for so many things but actually showing you and communicating eye-to-eye via the amazing graces of THE PODCAST has allowed me to truly show you how and why you should try some of my favorite training techniques. Let's take a look back at a reminder of all the cool ways you can take your fitness training to a higher level.

#1 Innovative Push-ups with Emphasis on Your Abs

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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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You already know how I feel about Yummie Tummie. I mean, don't get me wrong -- I'm all for working hard for awesome abs, but for most of us, there are times when we just need a little extra help holding it all in and keeping things smooth, and these shapewear tanks are just what the doctor ordered. And really, even folks who are super fit still experience a bit of bulge with the right (or wrong, as the case may be) combination of shirt and pants.

Now, just in time to help you out as you work toward your New Year's resolution of a flat tummy, this week's Fit Beauty Giveway is a Yummie Tummie tank! You have your choice of size or color, and remember -- Yummie Tummie now offers plus sized tanks, so everyone can enjoy its magic smoothing power!

Entering, as always, is super simple. Details are below!

• To enter, leave a confirmed comment below telling us whether you have any New Year's weight loss or fitness resolutions.
  
• The comment must be left before 5pm ET on Friday, January 2, 2009.
  
• You may enter only once.
• One winner will be selected in a random drawing.
  
• One winner will receive one Yummie Tummie (valued up to $68).
• Open to legal residents of the 50 United States, and the District of Columbia who are 18 or older.
  
  

Click here for complete Official Rules.

Winners are notified by email, so make sure to check next week to find out if you're the winner!

I've always had my doubts about New Year's resolutions. They just seem so ... I don't know .... phony? Why try to make several big changes to your life once a year? Why not try to make smaller changes all year round? That's always been my philosophy--maybe it's because I'm not patient enough to wait until January 1 to do something I feel I should be doing now, or maybe it's because I've never been able keep a resolution past the first two weeks of the new year.

In any case, I believe in taking things slowly and trying to make your life better every single day. Every time the sun rises, it signals a new chance to take the right steps towards making things right.

So this year, I propose making new day resolutions -- each morning, when you wake, resolve to do something beneficial. It could be as small as crossing something off your to-do list or as big as performing a grand gesture for someone you care about it. If your ultimate goal is to lose weight, resolve to do something healthy--anything--every single day. I suspect you'll see some positive changes after too long.

What are your new day resolutions?

It's that time! Tomorrow is the beginning of a new year, a clean slate, a new start. What's your resolution this year? You might have more than just 1 goal for 2008, but I bet there's something to do with weight loss, nutrition, or overall health in there somewhere. And since it's no secret that the majority of New Years resolutions fall by the wayside well before February, it's probably a good idea to go into the whole thing with a serious plan on how you're not going to let your new goals be among the casualties. So with success in mind, here are 10 tips for improving your odds at sticking to your New Years Resolution:

• Play to your strengths Meaning have healthy alternatives available if you're an evening snacker, or if you're a social eater try to plan non-eating activities with friends.
  

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40% of adults make at least 1 resolution at New Years, and of those 2/3rds are health related. So are you trying to think of something this year? Narrowing it down to just 1 or 2 priorities can be tough because there are so many things to think about when it comes to trying to live a healthier lifestyle. But if you need help, or even just some ideas, the experts at WebMD have compiled this list of healthy resolutions designed just for men:

• Get fit. Men tend to focus on strength training to minimize their stomach area and maximize their chest and arms. That's all well and good, but make sure you're fit overall, meaning a well-balanced exercise plan that includes resistance and cardio training.
  
• Eat healthier. Sorry, but the 'meat and potatoes' thing isn't going to cut it anymore.
• See the doctor. Too many men try to 'tough it out' through important health issues. Know what you should see a doctor for (enlarged moles, blood in the urine, depression, etc) and then actually go.
  
• Quit smoking.
  
• De-stress. Men commonly bottle stress up inside (instead of talking it out like women do) so finding ways to make sure you're relieving stress in your life is important.
  

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I've vowed that 2008 is going to be my healthiest year yet, and I know some of you have too. Sorting through all the resolutions, lists and tips can be overwhelming, so the folks over at eDiets have made it real simple for you: They've put together a list of the three golden rules of good health. So if you can't keep up with any other resolutions, keep these ones:

1. Choose water. Water is the best choice, better than soda, alcohol, juice, caffeine and so on. We know you won't only drink water this year, but try to make it your first choice more often than not.
   
2. Limit or avoid appetizers and desserts. Most meals pack a calorie wallop already, and you're not helping by enjoying an appetizer before and a dessert after. Stick to just the meal.
3. Schedule exercise. Exercise is as important as laundry, emptying the dishwasher and even going to work! Make sure to schedule it in, and make sure to do it.
   

What do you think? What's your golden rule of dieting?

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Health-related New Years resolutions are the most popular by far, but there are so many things to think about when it comes to trying to live a healthier lifestyle that it can be overwhelming to try and narrow it down to just 1 or 2 priorities. But lucky for us ladies, if you're struggling to think of a specific resolution the experts at WebMD have compiled this list of 5 resolutions designed just for women:

• Don't approach your diet as "all or none." Instead of telling yourself you can't have any carbs or sweets, plan to simply cut back.
  
• Step outside the box. Exercise isn't an "all or none" thing either -- thinking creatively will help you fit it in even when it seems impossible.
  
• Guard against bone loss and osteoporosis.
• Get all health exams and screenings that are recommended for your age group and situation.
• Make yourself and your health top priority -- It can be tough for many women to take time for themselves, but remember that you can't take care of others unless you take care of yourself.

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