2011 is here. The start of the year is a great time to resolve to keep our bodies fit and healthy. Regular exercise, proper diet and stress management are all keys to healthier living and resolving to do these in 2011 will certainly make us physically and psychologically healthier and happier.

Exercise is fairly simple to do. A commitment to at least 30 minutes of walking everyday or at least 6 times a week will do the trick. Enrollment to a Yoga or Pilates class would make that even better. Stress management isn't so bad either. Once you feel you've had enough, it's time to take a step back and relax. It's prioritizing and saying no when you've had too much. But diet, well, that's where the challenge lies. Food is just too good to resist, and it takes exceptional discipline to succeed in eating healthy.

To help you in that area, here are some diet tips for the new year that you can try out:

1. Eat to live. That means eating only because you need to live and not for any other reason. Old habits that made you turn to food for solace ought to be stopped. When under stressed or in dire emotional need, go to a friend to confide. Better yet, sweat it out in the gym.

2. Get rid of all sodas. Diet, sugar-free, zero calories? They never are. Avoid them like the plague.

3. Eat breakfast. Don't skip this most important meal of the day. Not eating after a long night's fast only puts your body in "starvation mode" and makes you prone to binges and overeating.

4. Keep hydrated with water. Whenever you feel hungry drink water first. It could be that you're just thirsty. Keep your intake at least within the 8-12 glasses a day range.

5. Avoid midnight snacks. They don't allow your body to dip into your stored fat deposits even while you're asleep, thus making you miss out on the most fat-burning activity your body can do even while you're asleep.

6. Eat more fruits and vegetables. Make green smoothies a regular part of your daily meals. They are especially good in the mornings or as an afternoon snack.

7. Eat smaller meals more often. Distribute your meals all throughout the day. This keeps your metabolism running and keeps you from unhealthy snacking.

8. Stock your ref with healthy foods. That means more fruits and vegetables, whole grains and lean meats there. If you've got sugar-laden sweets and junk foods stored, it's time to give them away.

9. If you want to reward yourself for a good week of sticking to a healthy diet, do it by buying new clothes or gadgets for yourself instead of indulging in cakes or stuffing your mouth with chocolates. Sooner or later, that's going to be a habit that will be hard to break.

10. Enjoy your meals. Always make it a pleasant experience. That means, no eating while facing the computer. Chew your food well. Each meal must last no less than 20 minutes.