According to statistics published by the University of Scranton, about 45 percent of Americans usually make New Year's resolutions—and the most popular resolution is losing weight. Of those who make resolutions, a mere 8 percent achieve them.

    {#blank#}1{#/blank#} Are we just setting ourselves up for failure? Learn how to make realistic resolutions and how to overcome the roadblocks along the way.

    Setting a resolution to lose pounds isn't a goal that's achievable now. It may be a good long-term goal. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} Registered dietitian Elisa Zied says “… to be real when you make a resolution. It's okay to shoot for the stars like making a resolution, but why not set a smaller goal and train smart?”

    The same concept applies to weight loss. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} These goals should help develop healthy habits that will finally help achieve your long-term resolution.

    Notice that these goals are simple and achievable. “Instead of going from zero to 60, from never going to the gym to going four to five times a week, why not start with three days a week, get consistent and build from there,” Zied says. Set yourself up for success and map out your course by making appointments with yourself to be active. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    You also need to be aware of your current exercise and eating habits to make achievable goals. Keeping a diary of your food and exercise habits can help. Record everything you eat and drink for three to five days and review it. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}For example, if you notice a tendency to snack on unhealthy fare, set a goal to eat a fruit or vegetable with each snack. Building on these smaller goals over time can help you achieve your long-term goal.

A. So why do so many of us fail to achieve our goals?

B. Once you notice your not-so-good habits, start fixing them.

C. Set between one and three weekly goals that you want to achieve.

D. Resolutions usually involve a commitment to sticking to your goals.

E. However, in order to reach it, you need to take baby steps to get it down.

F. If you treat your goals like set appointment, you're more likely to achieve them.

G. Losing weight, as well as getting a better job, is among the most popular resolutions for adults.

    Follow these steps and you'll be getting to bed earlier before you know it.

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    If you're currently going to bed at 11 pm, don't decide that tonight you're going to get to bed at 9 pm. But more generally, it's also important to give your body time to adjust as you start changing your bedtime. So you should take smaller steps.{#blank#}2{#/blank#}Write down your new bedtime.

    Set up your environment to avoid objections.

    What you'll need to do is to think through your specific plan, and identify potential objections.{#blank#}3{#/blank#}Imagine your routine for this evening, think through any possible obstacles and decide on specific ways that you'll avoid them.

    Set reminders for yourself to stick to your plan.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#}The idea here is that reminders not only alert you in the moment, but they also help you build tiny habits for certain behaviors.

    Decide what time you're going to begin the process of getting ready for bed. Add it to your calendar.

    Make a public commitment.

    Making a public commitment to getting something done is a great way to create responsibilities for yourself.{#blank#}5{#/blank#}Decide what time you're going to go to bed tonight and find friends to tell them what time you're going to bed in case you miss your bedtime.

A. Make a change gradually.

B. Studies show that once we make it, we are more likely to honor it.

C. Remind yourself to go to bed as early as possible tonight.

D. Decide to go to bed 15 minutes earlier tonight than you usually do.

E. Make sure you get success in one time when you plan to change your bedtime.

F. Once you've mapped out a plan for your evening, you can set reminders for yourself.

G. The idea is to design your environment to make it less likely that you'll give up your plan.

    Why do many people play sports? You might say “to get exercise'' and you'd be right. To have fun? That's true, too. But there's more.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}According to the Women's Sports Foundation, girls who play sports get a lot more than just fit.

    Girls who play sports do better in school. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}But research shows that girls who play sports do better in school than those who don't. Exercise improves learning, memory, and concentration, which can give active girls an advantage in the classroom.

    Girls who play sports learn teamwork and goal-setting skills. Sports teaches valuable life skills. When you working with coaches, trainers, and teammates to win games and achieve goals, you're learning how to be successful. {#blank#}3{#/blank#}

    Sports are good for a girl's health. In addition to being fit and maintaining a healthy weight, girls who play sports are also less likely to smoke. And later in life, girls who exercise are less likely to get breast cancer.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#} Girls who play sports feel better about themselves. Why? It builds confidence when you know you can practice, improve, and achieve your goals. Sports are also a feel-good activity because they help girls get in shape, maintain a healthy weight, and make new friends.

    Exercise cuts the pressure. Playing sports can lessen stress and help you feel a little happier. How? {#blank#}5{#/blank#} Friends are another mood-lifter. And being on a team creates tight bonds between friends. It's good to know your teammates will support you—both on and off the field!

Ways to make a great first impression

    You've heard it a million times already, but it really does take but a few seconds to make that all-important first impression (印象). Here are some easy ways for you to impress your classmates or teachers.

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    Before you shake hands with somebody, make sure that your hands are clean. The handshake should not be too strong or weak. Most people use their right hands, unless they have a reason to use the left. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}

    Be on time

    When meeting someone for the first time, arriving on time is as important as breathing. You may have an excuse, but that will leave the person who hardly knows you with a bad impression. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} It's better to be hanging around the place than be stuck in traffic.

    Introduce yourself and ask for names

    Make sure you properly introduce yourself. Ask for their name in a polite way.  {#blank#}4{#/blank#} This will increase the chances of their remembering your name in the future. Always remember to stand up when greeting someone and be sure to introduce them to anyone you're with.

    Make good conversation

    To get the most out of your discussion, try to find something common between the two of you. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} A person will feel more comfortable with someone they can relate to (产生共鸣).

A. Use body language

B. Have a proper handshake

C. Repeat the name and use it later in conversation.

D. As a general rule, plan to arrive about 30 minutes early.

E. It could be a similar(相似的) taste in clothes or a common hobby.

F. You'll be in serious trouble if you leave them with a bad impression.

G. However, don't have your left hand in your pocket because this appears impolite.

    No fight can end, and no friendship can move on, until everyone says these little words: I'm sorry. Sometimes, though, it can be difficult to say them. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}

    It is not about winning.

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#} When you start fighting with a friend, you may feel it is important that you “win” the fight by proving you're right and he is wrong, or by making him the first to apologize. In reality, you'll both lose if you let your fight ruin your friendship, and you'll both win if you find a way to heal it.

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    You may have heard the expression "His pride stood in the way." It is usually used to describe a person who is so determined to be "right" that he lets an opportunity for happiness pass him by forever. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} Remember that as time goes by, we usually forget who was right and who was wrong in a disagreement, and only remember the sadness of losing a friend.

    Take the first step.

    Are you sick of fighting? Do you think this fight is just not important enough to ruin your friendship? {#blank#}5{#/blank#} You don't have to take full responsibility for starting the fight, or even say that your feelings were wrong. But you should find something you did or said that's worth apologizing for. If you say you're sorry, it's like an invitation for your friend to do the same. Once you've both said it, you'll both feel a million times better.

A. Stop thinking about your pride.

B. Then try to be the first to apologize.

C. Here are some things to keep in mind.

D. Don't let this happen to a friendship you care about.

E. It's about taking some responsibility for the argument.

F. There are some special moments when you shouldn't take the first step.

G. Friendships aren't like the Super Bowl, and there should never be the determination of a winner.

    Are you truly happy? What does it mean to be happy? What does it take to achieve happiness? {#blank#}1{#/blank#} The following are a few tips that I follow to create happiness in my life.

    Make a plan for achieving goals that you believe will make you happy. Your moods (心情) will very likely increase if you are going after something you value.

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#} It is easy to begin to think negatively when you are surrounded by people who think that way. On the contrary, if you are around people who are happy, their emotional state will be infectious.

    When something goes wrong, try to figure out a solution (解决办法) instead of being absorbed in self-pity. Truly happy people don't allow setbacks to affect their mood because they know that with a little thought they can.

    Spend a few minutes each day thinking about the things that make you happy. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} And this will lead you to continuous happiness.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#} Whether you treat yourself to lunch  take a long, relaxing bath or simply spend a few extra minutes on your appearance, you will be subconsciously putting yourself in a better mood.

    Finding the humor in situations can also lead to happiness. Find a way to make light of a situation that would otherwise make you happy.

    Keeping healthy is another way to achieve happiness. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}

A. Surround yourself with happy people.

B. There are some tips in life that lead to happiness.

C. Eating healthy foods or being fit can have a great effect on your mood.

D. These few minutes will help you focus on the positive things in your life.

E. What makes you happy may be different from what makes someone else happy.

F. It is also important to take some time each day to do something nice for yourself.

G. These are important questions for anyone who is seeking happiness to ask themselves.