It's that time again: We reflect on the past year and think about what we want to do for the next year. For most of us, our resolutions have to do with health: getting fit and eating better. But do we keep our resolutions throughout the year? Ultimately, that's up to the strength of our willpower, but resources at the Free Library can help the health-conscious stay on track while saving money and having fun along the way!

Here's a month-by-month plan to help you integrate healthy habits in your life in 2016:

January
Did you receive any digital gifts this holiday season that will help your health? Make the most out of your FitBit and learn to sync fitness apps with your smartphone at an e-gadget helpdesk, held at your local neighborhood library! Check the calendar for what's coming up.

February
It might be cold outside, but warm up by taking a cooking class at the Culinary Literacy Center! Cook up a healthy, hearty meal while learning tips and tricks you can take home to your own kitchen. Perhaps you’d like to brush up on your knife skills and make French Onion soup, or you’d prefer to get in the spirit of One Book, One Philadelphia and try your hand at making chicken and dumplings. Find a class that suits your interest, budget, and taste buds here!

March
Okay, winter is coming to a close, so it's time to get moving! Why not work out in the comfort of your own home? Stream a workout from Hoopla to get started! Want a six-pack? Let Jillian Michaels show you how! Got kids running around? Yoga for Kids will help them chill out.

April
Make a workout mix! Here’s a compilation of the hottest hits to get you moving! There’s no better way to get moving than to get pumped with music. Stream more music for free on Hoopla or on one of our other digital databases, like our Popular Music Library.

May
Venture out of the house and head to a workout place this month—no, not to the gym... a library! Take a Tai Chi or yoga class. You can even learn to make your own home and bath products. There are so many offerings around the system!

June
Bored? Spice up your workout life and try something new to spark your muscles, like kickboxing or Tai Chi. Classes like these can run you hundreds of dollars, but it’s free when you stream a workout video in the comfort of your own home.

July
Flipping through magazines never feels productive, but it can be! Get some inspiration for recipes and plan some Instagram-worthy meals by perusing digital versions of bon appetite or EatingWell—free from Zinio. It’s the perfect beach or vacation activity!

August
Still at the shore? Run on the beach! Swim in the ocean! And read some health and fitness magazines, like Women’s Health, WellBeing, and Shape.

September
Find yourself watching all the new TV shows out now? Do some crunches during commercials! And if you can’t get enough of Food Network, get your fix by reading Food Network Magazine for healthy tips and tricks. You won’t get Chopped!

October
This is arguably the most wonderful time of the year in Philadelphia, weather-wise. Take advantage of the fall by taking a walk or bike ride to a Free Library location in a different neighborhood than the one in which you live. You’ll stay active while getting to know a new part of Philly!

November
The Philadelphia marathon is coming up! Whether or not you’re a marathon runner, here’s a crazy tip to get you running more: Listen to audiobooks! It might sound a little weird to not listen to music (especially since you made that great workout mix in April), but seriously, it can work: Just download a thriller like Paula Hawkins’s The Girl on the Train from Overdrive and resolve to only listen if you’re jogging. And while you’re not on your feet, fuel your obsession and browse the magazine Runner’s World on your digital device—free from Zinio! Need more inspiration? Check out the book What I Talk About When I Talk About Running by Haruki Murakami for rest-day reading.

December
Channel your inner chef! Check out a cookbook and flip through to find a delicious dish to make for yourself or your friends. Learn a cuisine style from a different culture, like Vietnamese; learn how to best fuel your body for athletic activities; learn some quick recipes that use only five ingredients; and learn how to cook with wine. Cooking with others? Make this a family project! There are cookbooks available that both teens and toddlers will enjoy. Create a holiday meal to be remembered.
 

If you've gotten this far, congratulations for making it through a healthy 2016! Relax, keep up with the habits you’ve cultivated this year, and figure out how next year will be even better!