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.

    We often carry a lot of things when we're traveling.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}On long ones we carry things like passports, visas, etc. Though traveling can be fun, we're likely to misplace these things and even lose them because of the excitement of the journey or being too busy or tired. So how can we carry valuable things safely while traveling?

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#} Place most of it in a wallet and put the wallet in your main suitcase or bag with a lock-and-key system. Don't open it until you reach your destination (目的地). Guess how much money you'll need on the journey, and place this money in a different wallet and carry this in your pocket.{#blank#}3{#/blank#}

    Next, instead of wearing your jewelry, you can carry your jewelry at the bottom of your suitcase or bag.{#blank#}4{#/blank#}Many people think that since the purse is always going to be in their hands, it'll remain safe. But other things like tickets, phone numbers, keys, etc., are all going to go in there. So you're often going to open your purse for something or the other. What if you just drop it?

    Then remember to hook (钩住) the keys. You get those really nice key chains these days that come with a big dog-hook.

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#}Use one of these to carry your keys. This way, you won't leave the keys in a restaurant or any other place.

    Hope all the above tips for traveling will help you.

A. So you'll know what to bring.

B. It's a kind of vacation, but without your parents.

C. Spend money from this wallet till you get to your destination.

D. Firstly, distribute (分开) your money if you're traveling alone.

E. You can hook the key chain to your jeans or your handbag.

F. On short trips we take things like money, jewelry (首饰), house keys, etc.

G. Don't carry it in your purse, just in case somebody is quick in stealing your purse.

    Wouldn't it be wonderful to be able to afford all of that fancy equipment used in the gyms{#blank#}1{#/blank#} Now here are some effective exercises that you can do at home, without the need for any equipment.

    Jumping Jacks (开合跳)—These are always fun, as they bring back memories of being a kid.{#blank#}2{#/blank#}Well, surprise- they are also great aerobic exercise, and good for warming up, too.

    Pushups—While they can be hard to do, you can find easier ways to do them. You don't need to pretend you're“Rocky”, and do them with one hand; just do what works for you.{#blank#}3{#/blank#}Or, do them standing up against a wall. You will be building up arm strength and working out muscles(肌肉) in your chest area.

Light weight lifting—No, you don't need to go out and buy expensive weights for this! Just use whatever you can find in your house. Start out with something lighter, such as a can of peas.{#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    Step exercises—Using the steps in your home, you can do repetitions which will strengthen your leg muscles. (Just remember to be careful!)

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#}You needn't join a gym, paying a large amount in membership fees each month. You don't even need the expensive equipment. Use what you have in your house, and work out in the comfort of your home. You will be more likely to keep up with the exercise when you're comfortable, so just get up and start exercising!

A. Now you have no excuses!

B. Getting some exercise is important.

C. And work yourself up to heavier items little by little.

D. Who has not done jumping jacks for fun as a child?

E. Nice as it sounds, it just isn't an option for most people.

F. Do them on your knees, instead of keeping your legs straight.

G. To make these exercises even more fun, you can watch TV while doing them.

    These days when someone says a computer has a bug (小虫子) in it, usually they mean that there's a problem with one of its programs. Maybe your computer crashed when you were in the middle of a game.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}

    But back in the early days of computers, a woman named Grace Hopper was part of a team that discovered the very first computer bug.

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#} She had been invited to help program a new computer, the job of which was to quickly deal with the math problems ships used to find their way.{#blank#}3{#/blank#} Then it translated the patterns of holes into the math problems it was supposed to solve.

    One afternoon in 1947 Hopper and her team were running a program. But the computer wasn't giving them the right results.{#blank#}4{#/blank#} They finally ended up taking the computer apart, looking for problems. What did they find? It was a moth (飞蛾)! The moth was blocking some of the holes in the paper—{#blank#}5{#/blank#} Some people think Hopper was the first person to use the word “debug” to mean “get rid of the problems in a computer”.

How to Fight Laziness?

    Lazy people will never gain anything in life. However, laziness can be defeated once a few changes have been made in your mind.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}. Many people lack sleep constantly, since they stay up too late and get up too early to prepare for work. These people have little motivation(动力) once they arrive home. Laziness works hand in hand with a lack of motivation and a tendency to put off things. By adjusting your sleep schedule to provide a few more hours of meaningful rest, you can fight laziness throughout the day.

    Another way to fight laziness is to change your mind from passive to active. Some people treat their lives as if they were pushed from task to task. Others take a more positive approach, viewing each task as a challenge they must overcome alone.{#blank#}2{#/blank#}.

    Some people fight laziness by removing the temptations(诱惑) that surround them. A television in the living room may provide entertainment, but watching too much TV often contributes to laziness. {#blank#}3{#/blank#}. Complete a few tasks and reward yourself with what you enjoy, such as a good dinner or a film.

    Laziness can also be a lasting problem at home. Couples and children may all have different energy levels, but laziness can be spread if not dealt with immediately. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}. Be the first to collect and wash dishes after a meal. Others at home may finally follow your example and perform their own tasks. It is difficult to practice laziness when you are surrounded by motivated people.

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#}. Enough exercise and a balanced diet can help you to develop a healthy lifestyle, thus enabling you to have more energy and help lift your spirits.

A. One way to fight laziness is to get enough sleep.

B. Knowing how to fight laziness is important.

C. To fight family laziness, set an example.

D. Create a reward system for yourself, just as parents do for a child.

E. Laziness sets in when you no longer feel in charge of your own life.

F. Finally, taking exercise regularly can help you fight laziness.

G. With strong determination, you will be able to achieve your goal.

    ISM is a large company in St. Louis, Missouri, but the top leaders are not satisfied with the performance of its staff. One day not too long ago the employees returned from their lunch break and were greeted with a sign on the front door. The sign said:{#blank#}1{#/blank#} We invite you to join the funeral in the room that has been prepared in the gym.

    At first everyone was sad to hear that one of their colleagues had died, but after a while they started getting curious about who this person might be. The excitement grew as the employees arrived at the gym to pay their last respects. Everyone wondered:{#blank#}2{#/blank#} Well, at least he's no longer here!

    One by one the employees got closer to the coffin and when they looked inside it they suddenly became speechless. They stood over the coffin, shocked and in silence, as if someone had touched the deepest part of their soul.{#blank#}3{#/blank#} There was also a sign next to the mirror that said: There is only one person who is capable to set limits to your growth: it is YOU.

    You are the only person who can revolutionize your life.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    You are the only person who can influence your happiness, your realization and your success.

    Your life does not change when your boss changes, when your friends change, when your parents change, when your partner changes, when your company changes.

    Your life changes when YOU change, when you go beyond your limiting beliefs,{#blank#}5{#/blank#}

A. There was a mirror inside the coffin: everyone could see the person who passed away

B. Who is the person that passed away?

C. when you realize that you are the only one responsible for your life.

D. A mirror inside the coffin: everyone who looked inside it could see himself

E. Yesterday the person who has been limiting your growth in this company passed away.

F. You are the only person who can help yourself

G. Who is this person that was limiting your progress?