OK, I’ll admit: I didn’t just splurge occasionally over the holidays. Pretty much every day had its eggnog or brie or dark chocolate. And, let’s face it, the holidays just wouldn’t be the same without a little decadence. (My favorite meal this year featured Goat Cheese, Corn, and Pinenut Enchiladas from Deborah Madison’s Vegetarian Cooking for Everyone.) And January wouldn’t be the same, either, if I didn’t feel a little out of shape and have a good reason to renew my health vows. They are:

#1 Get good, regular exercise. I mean the fun kind, like skiing or dance.

#2 Eat healthy, balanced meals with lots of veggies. Lucky for me, I’ve got a ton of great ideas from Delicious Living’s recipe testing sessions (yes, we get to try them all!). All I have to do is do is browse our recipe page, a treasure trove of yummy, healthy, even quick meal ideas.

#3 Push the “reset” button more often. That might mean taking a 15-minute walk to drink in the mountain views, or sneaking in a little Poetry Magazine reading for inspiration. See vow #1.

#4 As Thich Nhat Hanh reminds us in “A Powerful Resolution” in the January issue: Be present. Do one thing at a time. Don’t get so rushed to accomplish it all that opportunities to connect with family and community slip by.

What are your resolutions this year? Tell us. We’d love to hear from you.

Going solar? Offsetting your mileage? Stopping the plastic-bag insanity? What’s your ECO GOAL for the new year? Go to SustainAbler.com and share your resolution with other closet greenies. Click here to read how some folks are planning to make a difference. My goal for Oh Eight? To not use a single paper coffee cup. And if that means forgoing the sweet nectar when I forget to tote my personal mug, so be it. You read it here!

I’m off to my weekly spin class, but before I go, I thought you dear readers might be interested to know that most gym-goers prefer locally owned health clubs over often-grimy national chains. According to a survey that will be featured in Consumer Reports’ February issue, commercial gyms (think Bally or 24 Hour) scored low for machines, locker rooms, classes, and overall cleanliness. Here are Consumer Reports‘ tips for how to make your workout a delightful, healthy experience. Happy exercising!

1. Know the options.

· Big chains can be pricey but often offer extras including personal training, child care, spa services, and electronic tracking systems that allow consumers to log in with a PIN and monitor their workout progress towards fitness goals. Life Time Fitness got top marks in CR’s ratings for everything except crowds and value, for which it earned average scores. At the women-only Curves, customers were generally satisfied, but cited limited workout options and substandard locker rooms. Gold’s has better than average variety of equipment but otherwise didn’t stand out.

· JCCs and YMCAs often offer classes and are most likely to tailor them to specific groups, including kids, women, and seniors. College and university gyms provide greater access to large-scale athletic facilities such as basketball courts, racquet courts, and even climbing walls (32 percent of school gyms in the survey had them vs. 10 percent of commercial clubs).

· Gyms in apartment buildings or housing complexes are convenient but tend to have limited equipment.

2. Make the most of the visit.

· Ask for a free trial. Every chain CR visited offers these, for periods of one day to one week. Assess the crowds, equipment, class schedule, and locker rooms. If the pass lasts longer than a day, come back at different times to see how conditions change.

· Ask about different membership options. Most clubs have several options, with varying levels of access or amenities. Seniors or students should ask about special discounts.

3. Be smart after joining.

· Work out during off hours. Peak times at most gyms are from opening to 11 a.m and 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on weekdays and early morning to noon on weekends.

· Take precautions. The antibiotic-resistant MRSA infections mentioned in recent headlines can spread through shared gym equipment, mats, and towels. Use the alcohol spray or wipes most gyms provide to wipe off equipment before and after use.