What are your wishes this year? No matter what you wish, you can achieve it. The only thing that you need for that is your health. So, health should be the first wish for everyone. Do you want to become healthier this year? By making just one change a day – and taking a cue from celebrities – get on your way to a healthy 2008!

1. DRINK MORE WATER

Eva Longoria's trainer, Patrick Murphy, tells that the actress guzzles "at least three liters per day" to maintain muscle tone and rid her body of toxins. So how much should you drink? "Half your body weight in ounces each day," recommends nutritionist Sophie Pachella, who founded the nutrition and fitness company EatStrong. "So if you weigh 120 lbs., drink 60 ounces or about 8 cups." Find water too boring? Add slices of lemon, orange, strawberry or cucumber to make it more flavorful.

2. EAT MINI MEALS

Eating small meals throughout the day boosts metabolism and prevents binge eating. "Every time you eat, your body burns calories," says Pachella. "So eating every two hours or so keeps your body working – and burning." Katherine Heigl's just one of the stars who has signed up for trainer Harley Pasternak's daily 5-Factor Diet, which includes five high-protein meals along with an exercise plan. "Now I wake up and I go, 'My God, I can't believe this is my body!' " Heigl tells.

 

3. BAN BOOZE

Kelly Osbourne said goodbye to alcohol and, as a result, pounds. "I stopped doing drugs and drinking," the actress says. "The weight literally dropped off." The reason? "Drinking alcohol is like eating sugar with a spoon," says Pachella. If you can't completely ban booze, indulge in one glass of red wine or a lower-calorie cocktail such as rum-and-Diet Coke.

 

4. GO VEGGIE

Vegetables fill you up, contain fiber and antioxidants, and are low in calories. "Brighter colors are better," says Pachella, who recommends red cabbage, red peppers, squash, pumpkin, dark leafy greens and tomatoes. Veggies were the key to weight loss for Alicia Silverstone, who gave up her diet of "steak and doughnuts" in 1998 and became a vegetarian.

 

5. GO FISH

According to an interview Jennifer Lopez gave Cosmopolitan magazine, the singer and actress works hard to stay in shape when she’s promoting herself, but in her off time she’s bound to be eating lots of junk food. She says there are times when she eats McDonald’s and doesn’t work out, but if she starts to gain weight she works out with a personal trainer and eats more fish and vegetables. Pachella advises eating salmon, sardines or mackerel – but if you're not into fish, try tilapia, which has a mild flavor, or take Omega-3 fish oil supplements.

6. DRINK GREEN TEA

"If you're drinking green tea, you're nailing three healthy habits at once: you're not snacking, you're getting antioxidants and you're adding water to your diet," Pachella says. Green tea also slightly raises the metabolism. Celebrity devotees include Gwyneth Paltrow and Courtney Love, who dropped more than 50 lbs. in 2007. Green isn't your cup of tea? Try white, which "is equally as good if not better," Pachella says.

7. SNACK SUGAR-FREE

Satisfy your sweet tooth with sugar-free snacks. Kirstie Alley says that low-calorie Jell-O with Cool Whip Free is "the greatest invention," and Heroes star Greg Grunberg swears by sugar-free popsicles. "If you're looking to lose weight, sugar-free snacks can make a difference," says Pachella. "It's a way to indulge in 'mindless munching' minus the damage." But, be warned, too many sugar-free treats can lead to excessive gas, bloating or cramps.

8. ADD VINEGAR

Fergie maintains those killer abs with tons of stomach crunches – and raw apple cider vinegar. The Grammy nominee tells that twice a day, after lunch and after dinner, she swallows 2 tablespoons of the bitter liquid. "Vinegar appears to slow down the rate of foods emptying from the stomach," Pachella explains, "but it certainly doesn't taste good by itself. Instead, I recommend a salad with olive oil, vinegar, herbs and spices with your meal."

9. TRY BUDOKON

Work your body and mind with Budokon, a blend of yoga, martial arts and meditation created by Cameron Shayne, who trains Courteney Cox Arquette and Jennifer Aniston. "Yoga and martial arts are simply an external expression of one's internal being," Shayne has said. "Therefore, by better organizing the way a person moves, we serve to better organize the way that person thinks and lives." There are Budokon studios across the country – or you can pick up Shayne's DVD series and try it at home.

10. REFESH AT THE SPA

Sometimes a bubble bath and a do-it-yourself facial just won't cut it. A trip to the spa – where you can free your mind and pamper your body – is in order. "Bring on the spas," Alicia Keys says. "I love a day when you're with your friends getting your toes and your nails done. Anything that has to do with rejuvenation of mind, body and spirit, I'm all for it: a spa or a great massage."

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Ricardo 2008-02-25 07:00:46 Aside from green tea, I've also tried white tea. I've heard that it's also rich in antioxidants as well, and I'd say it has an even milder taste. Reply | Quote 1   0

Self Help Daily.com Joi 2008-03-02 19:45:16 I've sworn by green tea for years. If you slice up and add a lemon or orange to it, the taste is not only GREATLY improved, but you actually up the benefits from the antioxidants. White tea is also a favorite of mine. I've weaned myself off of a diet coke addiction by experimenting with different teas. I don't retain water anymore and I have tons more energy. Reply | Quote 1   0

Louise Glover Secrets needed Louise Glover 2008-04-04 10:33:11 I have to Louise Glover Secrets needed Reply | Quote 0   0

 

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