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New Years Resolutions 2013: 10 Body Resolutions To Make You Feel Great This Year

10 Health Resolutions That Are NOT About Losing Weight
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By 

Senior Writer, The Huffington Post

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Here at HuffPost Teen, we're vowing to make our resolutions for 2013 all about how we feel -- not how we look. We know that New Year's can come with a lot of pressure to lose weight, with gym membership deals, diet plans, and get-thin resolutions seemingly everywhere.

Instead of counting calories and aiming for a size zero, set goals for yourself that are focused more on your health and well-being than your physical appearance. With a foundation of good health and killer body confidence, you'll be in a better position to focus on all those other goals you set for yourself for 2013. Click through the slideshow below for 10 health resolutions to make your feel your absolute best this year.

Tell us: Do you feel pressured to lose weight during the new year? How do you stay body-positive? Share your thoughts in the comments below or tweet @HuffPostTeen!

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Before You Go

10 Body-Positive Health Resolutions
Stop Body Snarking(01 of10)
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Negative body-talk (you know how it goes: ("I hate my arms;" "She gained so much weight last semester") is one of the fastest and easiest ways to make you feel bad about yourself. This year, make a point of avoiding body snarking about both yourself and others, and start paying compliments instead. Once you start to let go of that nasty habit, you'll start to appreciate all the awesome things that make you who you are. (credit:alamy)
Snack Smarter(02 of10)
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Rather than vowing to count calories or give up sugar forever, make a resolution to snack healthier this year in order to pack in more nutrients, and boost your energy and brain power to fuel you through long days of school and sports. Swap out sugary granola bars and salty chips for apples, almonds, high-fiber energy bars, or low-fat Greek yogurt. (credit:alamy/shutterstock/flickr)
Spend More Time Outdoors(03 of10)
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The health benefits of spending more time in nature are numerous. In addition to absorbing more Vitamin D from sunlight exposure -- which has been shown to alleviate depression and food cravings, among other things -- being in nature can make you feel more relaxed and less anxious. Make a goal of taking a walk outside or going on a hike with friends at least once a week to get active and enjoy some fresh air. (credit:shutterstock)
Make A Habit Of Positive Self-Talk(04 of10)
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It's scientific fact that optimists, on the whole, enjoy better health and lower stress levels than their glass-half-empty friends. Up your happiness this year by not just thinking more positively, but also engaging in positive self-talk. Replace body-bashing with words of kindness towards yourself -- even if you don't believe it at first, you'll soon learn to accept your own compliments -- and watch yourself gradually become more and more body confident. (credit:alamy)
Turbo-Charge Your Breakfast(05 of10)
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Make this your mantra this year: "No more skipping breakfast." We know you've been told a thousand times that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but it's true: Eating a healthy, protein-packed meal in the morning can stave off hunger and get you in a healthy mindset for the day to come. Have fun experimenting with fruit smoothies, veggie omeletes, oatmeal topped with nuts and dried fruit, and remember: a giant coffee on the way school doesn't count as breakfast! (credit:Alamy)
Get More Sleep(06 of10)
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If you want to feel better in 2013, it's time to make sleep a number-one priority. Few things will make a bigger difference in your mood and energy levels than making a commitment to getting more zzz's. Making time for more shut-eye -- a minimum of seven hours every night -- can be the difference between barely getting through the day and feeling totally in charge of your life. Plus, it will help you ward off stress, anxiety, fatigue, and even weight gain. (credit:Flickr: Mini B)
Stress Less(07 of10)
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Stress can negatively impact your health on some many levels, from making it difficult to sleep to causing you to have trouble focusing. And if you're relaxed and free of constant body anxiety, it's a whole lot easier to feel good about yourself. Turn 2013 into your most relaxing year yet (no matter how busy you are) by worrying less about your body, school, relationships and anything else that makes your stress levels spike. (credit:alamy)
Get Off The Scale (08 of10)
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Health isn't about a number on a scale. Any type of compulsive behavior around food and weight -- whether it's meticulously measuring portion sizes at every meal or stepping on the scale every morning -- is unhealthy and can easily contribute to negative body image and even eating disorders. This year, forget about pounds and inches and focus on how you feel -- if your body feels great because you're treating it well, you'll know that you're doing the right thing. (credit:alamy)
Find Fruits & Veggies You Love(09 of10)
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If you're trying to get healthier, try to refrain form creating a restrictive diet for yourself, and instead, gradually add more and more fruits and vegetables into each meal. Many plant-based foods are nutrition powerhouses, packed with fiber and essential fruits and vegetables to keep you feeling your best all day. But don't make it feel like a chore: Keep things fun by finding the veggies you enjoy most and experimenting with different ways of preparing them. (credit:alamy)
Silence Your Inner Perfectionist(10 of10)
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Make 2013 the year that you finally stop fixating over every little flaws and finally start embracing who you are -- including the things you may not love. Being a perfectionist usually comes from a fear of being not good enough, or a fear of the disapproval of others. Loosen the grip of perfectionism by being kind to yourself, refusing to focus on your faults, and reminding yourself that you are good enough -- just the way you are now. (credit:alamy)
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