Christine Paterson Shirley Lew Haidee Parker Richmond Public Library

Keeping your resolutions -- your guide to on-line help for 2002

• Weight loss: knowledge is power. The web site of the Dietitians of Canada at www.dietitians.ca has an interactive "Meal Planner". Visitors fill out a form to receive feedback on the amount of calories, fat and fiber in their regular menu. If the food choices do not meet the recommended levels, the Meal Planner has advice on making some changes.
• Quitting smoking: the QuitNet Quit Smoking Guide www.quitnet.com/ is a free, online support group of ex-smokers and smokers trying to quit. Operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week, QuitNet uses questionnaires to offer advice on quitting that is tailored to individual needs.
• Fitness: Getting fit is easier that many people think, according to Canada’s Physical Activity Guide at www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hppb/paguide/. People need to be active for one hour a day, says the Guide, and activities can be added up 10 minutes at a time to get that daily total. The Guide suggests building physical activity into daily routines. For instance, trading in a power mower for a push mower or parking the car 10 minutes away from the store. Fitness quizzes plus personal success stories are also featured on this site.
• Smelling the roses: Letterman lampoons her, but no one can beat Oprah’s web site at www.oprah.com for inspiration. It’s a great place for people who pledge to simply appreciate and enjoy life more this year. Visitors are encouraged to begin an online journal to express themselves, connect with their feelings and rekindle their imaginations. Journal writers can insert images provided on the web site or upload their own pictures and photos. Lots more nuggets designed to refresh and uplift are on the site as well, including a thought for the day, a gallery of soothing nature photos and ideas for unleashing creativity.
• Just for fun: How many people reading this article will achieve their New Year’s goals? Since predictions are as much a part of New Year as resolutions, see what the future holds with free online tarot card readings at www.byzant.com/mystical/. Or, read free daily horoscopes at www1.sympatico.ca/news/Horoscopes/.

The links in this article are available on Richmond Public Library’s Web page at www.yourlibrary.ca. For those without Internet at home, free use Internet stations are available at all three branches. For details, call or drop by the Library or visit the web site. Happy New Year everyone!