What better way to start off 2010 with a new year resolution...  If you still don’t have one, then perhaps you wanna consider shedding off those extra kilos by doing regular exercise.

One of the easiest and simplest way to lose weight is running. There's no need for expensive gym equipments or club memberships. No detox or drugs required...just a good pair of running shoes, running attire and you can start pounding the pavements.

Here are some tips to get started:

Remember to do proper warm up & stretching exercises before attempting to do any physical activity as it will help to prevent injuries and cramps. It is also advisable to do stretches after the exercise as it reduces the after effects of aches & pains normally felt the day after.

I am sure that most of us have received a “piggy” bank from our parents when we were young. I still remember my very first 'Mickey Mouse' piggy bank which came together with a savings account. (P/S: My DW.. buds has Donald Duck) As a young child, my parents have always instilled good money handling habits to me and my siblings. They have always expressed the importance of spending wisely and the real value of money. I have heard countless stories from my parents of how people in other parts of the world went through hardship due to poverty. At that time, my parents also explained to me and my siblings about the process of how they obtained money to support the family.

As parents, this is probably a taboo topic which not many would like to discuss. I am sure that each and every parent would want the “BEST” for their child. Unfortunately, some parents do face problems and require assistance from external parties to resolve their issues with their children. There are many avenues, ie. counselling & psychological services offered in schools, churches, family service centres and etc. where parents can turn to when seeking help for their juvenile delinquents; depending on the severity of their individual problems. However, if all these avenues fail and in the worst case scenarios... What should we as parents do? Let me share with you a personal encounter...

It seems to me that the most common reason given by most parents for not exercising is that they are too busy with their children and cannot afford the time. This makes regular exercise a challenge for everyone especially parents. I understand that it can be difficult to find the time to juggle work, parenting, housework and regular exercise especially during the school holidays when the children spends more time at home.