The beginning of the year is a great time to set goals for the next 12 months. Resolutions to support our minds and spirits can be just as valuable as vows to improve our physical health. Use the following tips to give all three areas a little extra TLC in 2012.

When it comes to losing weight, the math is simple. One pound equals 3,500 calories. So to lose a pound, you need to burn 3,500 more calories than you take in. Burn an extra 500 a day and you’ll lose about one pound each week. So where should you start? The activities below are some of the best for working off unwanted pounds.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services along with several partners launched Million Hearts, recently launched an initiative that HHS hopes will prevent one million heart attacks and strokes over the next five years. One of the partners in the initiative is the YMCA, whose involvement will include an expansion of their national Diabetes Prevention Program. NewPublicHealth spoke with Jonathan Lever, Vice President for Health Strategy and Innovation at the YMCA of the USA about the Y’s ongoing focus on improving the health of communities.