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Determined to stick to your New Year's resolution? Our editors' share what they're using to succeed
2023 is here to give us a fresh start. Like many years before (and many years to come), we set New Year’s resolutions to improve how we navigate work, increase our mental and physical health, make better use of our free time and shore up our relationships. Some resolutions require a complete rewiring, but others you can achieve with the help of a few products. As professional shoppers at Yahoo Life, we’re privy to the items that give an extra boost to our productivity and spirit — some of them are so good that applying them to our New Year’s resolutions just makes sense. For a little inspiration, we’re sharing with you some of the items that are helping us meet our goals in this brand-spanking-new year.
Westry Green, Managing Editor
My goal this year is to play more! I know that increasing happiness can lower stress levels and improve health, but I tend to put my own pleasure last. Not this year, though! One of my favorite weekend activities is hiking with my dog, but I don’t get around to it more than once a month. To make it easier to get myself out the door, I invested in this water-resistant hiking waist pack from Waterfly that holds two water bottles and has plenty of pockets. I loaded it with all the essentials we need for a day out — snacks for both of us, a first-aid kit, spare phone charger and dog waste bags — and hung it on a hook in my coat closet so I can just grab it and go.
Izabella Zaydenberg, Deputy Editor
I have hundreds of books, which isn’t exactly conducive to life in a small New York City apartment. I’ve tried e-readers, but there’s just something about the feel of a book! My resolution for 2023 is to get better about organizing my collection — and not just leaving ten novels stacked on my bedside table. This cool bookshelf fits just about anywhere, is pretty enough to qualify as decor, and is a fun way to display books that are in my TBR (To Be Read) pile, or just ones I want to remember to pick up when I’m done with whatever I’m currently working my way through. Plus, it’s under $40!
Rick Broida, Senior Editor
In 2023 I'm going to renew my goal of consuming less sugar. I was fairly successful at this in 2022 (until the holidays rolled around — thanks for nothing, Thanksgiving!), owing to a secret weapon: Werther's Originals Sugar Free Caramel Hard Candies. No, I'm not an 83-year-old grandmother; these little candies help me satisfy the often-overwhelming craving for something sweet, yet each piece is just 8 calories. Plus, they're insanely delicious, delivering an intense burst of caramel flavor. So I'll see you in hell, sugar... if not next November.
Patrick Hearn, Tech and Gaming Editor
This year, I've resolved to stay more organized — whether that takes the form of an up-to-date shopping list, a filled-out calendar so I know what to plan for on the weekend, or even just a 'honey-do' list for around the house. The Echo Show 15 provides all of that and more through its built-in widget functions. I can display my calendar, to-do list and shopping list side by side. A simple "Hey Alexa, add eggs to the shopping list" means I don't have to rinse off dough-covered hands in the middle of baking when I use the last egg, and I can toss a task on the list as I walk by. "Hey Alexa, add 'Fix the leaky faucet' to the to-do list.'" Positioned as it is in the kitchen, the Echo Show 15 has become the hub for both my wife and I to stay on top of our increasingly busy lives.
Rachel Roszmann, Weekend Editor
I was about 21 years late to the Survivor watch party, but thanks to the Paramount+ app (compatible with most streaming devices, including Fire TVs!), I spent 2022 catching up on the reality series, starting with season 1. I’m now on season 39 (no spoilers, please!), and my resolution for 2023 is to get Survivor-ready: I started kickboxing classes to get fit for reward and immunity challenges (I Love Kickboxing has locations nationwide) and got all the necessary accoutrement — boxing gloves, water bottle, yoga socks; I work on the New York Times crossword even on the hardest days (it comes with the digital subscription but you can also subscribe to games only) to improve my puzzle skills; and I’m on book two of How to Win Friends and Influence People for a polished social game. Now I just need a Buff and a fire-starter kit. Come at me, 2023!
Nicole Sforza, Executive Editor
My husband and kids are super into skiing, and I tried getting on the bandwagon, but as they say, I'm just not that into it. So this year one of my resolutions is to have my own winter fun with the youngins! I ordered in an array of snow inflatables, and I especially love this toboggan. Compared to skiing? No brainer! Much less gear needed, much less expensive and a ton more fun. But getting organized was also high on my list of resolutions, so I'm adding in a second must-have, below.
I just got back from a trip where I vowed to 'pack light.' Spoiler alert: I didn't. My overpacking was the worst it's ever been. I was super busy before traveling, and rather than making a list (of essentials) and checking it twice, I tossed in items when I thought of them. Result: I ended up with four mascaras (it's true), seven coverups (I wore two) and three sweaters (it was 80 degrees out — fail). My solution for 2023? Packing cubes! I like that they allow you to categorize, say, socks from shirts — so no more rifling through a jumble to find a tank top. Cubes also offer limited space — so once the 'swimsuit' section is filled up, no more! And if you're packing for other family members, they keep Uma's undies separate from Parker's pjs.
Carrie McCabe, Contributing Editor
I’m on a health-based weight-loss journey, and I hope to reach my goal in 2023. It’s important to me to be able to measure my weight loss in a data-focused way, and the Fitindex Smart Scale helps me do just that. It captures 13 body-composition measurements including weight, body fat, water, muscle mass, BMI, BMR, bone mass and more, so I always know exactly what’s up with my body. Plus, it connects to my phone, so I can set goals and track my daily, weekly and monthly fitness trends and monitor where I need to put in a little extra effort.
Rebecca Carhart, Home Shopping Editor
As someone who bites their nails, trying to stop that habit has been a recurring resolution of mine. I’ve unfortunately failed several years in a row, but I’m once again trying to kick the habit and have hope, thanks to this handy product. The Dermelect Resist Nail Bite Inhibitor + Restorative Treatment not only gives off a bitter taste to deter you from biting your nails, but it works double duty to help strengthen and restore damaged nails to make them look and feel healthier. I love that it can be used as a top coat or on its own. Plus, it’s only $10, so if it doesn’t help me finally keep this resolution, I won’t feel too bad about it.
Derek Arbogast, Contributing Editor
My New Years resolution? To finally confront my jerk of a neighbor, who insists on putting his dog out in the yard, for hours, every morning and night, where it barks incessantly. Well, enough is enough: I’m going over there to give him what for, and what better way to let him know I mean business than by wielding these Superhero Smash Fists, just $27.99 now at Amazon? I don’t generally resort to menacing my adversaries, but you can push a guy too far!
Lisa Schweitzer, Senior Editor
This year, my New Year's resolution is to do a reset on breakfast with a return to smoothies. They always make me feel good and are the perfect fuel before a workout. I use them as a hiding place for superfoods like chia seeds, hemp hearts, kale and frozen berries. The only hurdle is that most protein powders taste like dreck to me, and without protein, smoothies don't usually keep me satisfied until lunchtime.
About the protein powder: All the flavored ones are either too sweet or too chalky or taste so artificial I end up tossing them after one use. Enter Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides Powder.
It's the only one I've found that simply adds protein without changing the flavor of the other ingredients. My go-to recipe is inspired by KaleJunkie's Peanut Butter-Protein Smoothie, with a few tweaks. I omit the ice and maca powder and I add 1.5 teaspoons of chia seeds — and voila, I've got a filling, protein-packed smoothie that tastes like real food and nothing else.
