Ringing In a Healthier New You

Of course, you need to set a quit date within the next week but on day eight, if you're using either of the prescription medications, Chantix or Zyban, that helps trick the brain into not wanting to smoke.

He also suggests telling friends and family for support, and finding one person with whom you'll feel accountable to go to when times are tough. "It's better to find a cheerleader rather than a drill sergeant," he said. "You want someone who will not shame or scold you, if you slip up."

Another key step is buying nicotine replacement products, whether it's a patch, gum, inhaler, nose spray or lozenges. Such products, according to Spangler, double your success rate.

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Dieting Away the Pain

There are toll-free quit lines available both nationally through the National Cancer Institute (1-877-44U-QUIT) and at the state level (1-800-QUITNOW) with counselors who can offer advice to help you problem-solve and strategize.

And change your environment as much as possible to avoid temptations and triggers. If you had a favorite chair you smoked in, rearrange the furniture. Ask friends not to smoke around you or offer you cigarettes.

Throw away all of your cigarettes, ash trays and lighters. Toss out all of your visual reminders of smoking.

People have to learn the skills to be nonsmokers and that takes time and practice, Spangler said. "The best way to learn how to be a nonsmoker is to keep trying," he said.

What Resolutions Are the Experts Making?

The experts interviewed for this article struggle with the same lifestyle changes that all of us do, and many have resolved to make a few tweaks in their own habits in 2009.

Spangler plans to exercise more, and will enlist the help of his daughter to take a walk with him after dinner. As a father of six, he needs to get the support of his wife and also recognize how this will impact other members of his family.

Kushner said that although he's good at fitting in his aerobic workouts, he wants to increase his resistance training. His goal is to do 10 to 15 minutes of strength training at least two nights a week.

Williams, who describes himself as a yo-yo exerciser, said he hopes to start back up again. He'll shoot for simply 10 minutes a night on his home elliptical machine, at least five times a week.

Ayoob admits he has to work on staying motivated to be physically active, but said his greyhounds' need for regular walks prevent him from being too lazy.

And, like millions, Reinecke wants to lose a little weight and stick with his exercise program. Reinecke prefers to run outdoors, but he has made some simple changes in his indoor fitness program: Instead of running on his treadmill, he said he has slowed it down and steepened the incline. That way his knees don't hurt him and he still gets a good workout.

Armed with their knowledge of setting small attainable goals, here's hoping that these experts achieve their health resolutions in 2009. And that you do, too.