As 2009 winds down, you're counting on 2010 to be a better year. The truth is that a year doesn't get better all by itself; you have to do your part. Your piece of improving the year is improving what you have control of: your own life. Now is the time to rethink what you do and to put a plan in place to make changes. Culture tells you that the road to a better life is paved with cash. But the ones with access to piles of dough, when honest, know that cash won't finance well being. Letting go of bad habits and introducing productive behaviors into your life will.

Number one: dump your alcohol. Sounds drastic and it's impossible to explain actions like these to people. Even as you read these words, reasons race through your mind telling you this is a bad idea. Just remember this fact: alcohol has done you no favors and, if given free reign, alcohol would love to hold you prisoner.

You hold the keys to the freedom that comes from greater emotional and physical health. Take steps to take back control and make good things happen. Listing benefits is easy: reduced blood pressure, sound sleep, healthier immune system, weight loss, money saved, schedule better managed, and a huge sense of accomplishment.

Take note: if drinking is a serious problem for you, consult a doctor when you quit. If your habit is severe, you could develop serious, maybe deadly, withdrawal symptoms. If this describes you, it's a great motivator to make 2010 your best year ever.

Life is miserable when you focus only on what you take away from your lifestyle, especially when it's familiar and comfortable. So, number two: add better eating to your life in 2010. Do it on purpose. Put together a plan for healthy nutrition. Take a class. Read a book. Make it happen. Start easily by reducing serving sizes and boosting fruit, vegetable, and whole grains intake. Decrease fat consumption from dairy. Sever your relationships with salt, saturated fats, trans fats, cholesterol and sugar.

Number three: as energy levels from better nutrition rise, leverage the increased drive and launch yourself into a new exercise routine. The benefits are both measurable and valuable. Exercise improves and increases blood flow through out your body. The results are a stronger, healthier heart and the payoff is reduced risk of heart disease and stroke.

Body fat is another thing that has done you no favors. Regular exercise trims fat from your body. Obesity is epidemic. But obesity rarely claims its victims among healthy, physically fit people. Get some control back and by this time next year you'll be reaping the rewards:

• increased muscle strength
• better posture
• physical flexibility
• improved endurance

Familiar aches and pains gradually begin to disappear along with depression, anxiety and stress. As your mood gets better, not only will you want to spend more time with the ones you love, they'll actually want to be around you. Everybody wins.

Don't wait to emerge from a hangover-induced coma on January First. Get the ball rolling today. Chances are if you put this off, you'll put it down. This is the only life you have and the only real opportunity you have to give yourself and the ones you love a better future.