How Tough is Your New Year's Resolution?

Every year, it seems, the same old promises seem to crop up for the new year. Some have unarguable benefits, like quitting smoking and exercising more often. Most of them are difficult to sustain.

So, to contribute a little encouragement, Berkeley Patch would like to give one resolute Berkeleyan a T-shirt and water bottle for having the toughest resolution, and the best plan to conquer it. 

What's your toughest New Year's resolution and how do you plan to keep it? Let us know in the comments. The winner will receive a Berkeley Patch T-shirt and water bottle. 

Meanwhile, there's one popular resolution that UC Berkeley's Greater Good Science Center is trying to veto: going on a diet. The Greater Good Science Center's Christine Carter argues that dieting doesn't work, can make you depressed and even cause harm to your children by encouraging eating disorders.

Here are some popular New Year's resolutions, according to USA.gov:

• Drink Less Alcohol
• Eat Healthy Food
• Get a Better Education
• Get a Better Job
• Get Fit
• Lose Weight
• Manage Debt
• Manage Stress
• Quit Smoking
• Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle
• Save Money
• Take a Trip
• Volunteer to Help Others

And don't forget about your pets! Check out these  from veterinarian Shea Cox.