planning

Is your stress level rising as shopping and preparation time diminishes? Are you the first person family, friends and co-workers turn to when they need a favor?

If you said “yes” to either question, social psychologist and best-selling author Susan Newman recommends another word—“No”—in her book, THE BOOK OF NO: 250 WAYS TO SAY IT—AND MEAN IT AND STOP PEOPLE-PLEASING FOREVER (McGraw-Hill; 2006).

MARIA HOWARD

Don't pick just one form of exercise to help you get fit this fall. Pick two, three, maybe even four. Everyone knows that it's best to cross-train. But making yourself commit to it is another matter. Cross-training is essentially rotating exercises so that your body is constantly challenged. Optimally, you want to include a variety of ways to get in cardiovascular, strength, agility, balance and flexibility work. How can you get all that in when it's hard enough to find time for a quick run? Remember that working in alternative exercises doesn't mean you have to spend more time overall on fitness.