Other brides find aspects of tradition stifling, so they mix up their ceremony with Chinese-style zest. This bride might dress her bridesmaids in glowing red (or slinky black!) Cheongsams, dresses with high collars and slit sides. She'll hand them parasols instead of nosegays, and pass out chopsticks for their hair. Her own gown might be of gorgeous brocade in red, orange or gold. Perhaps she'll wrap up ceremony with a butterfly release and hand out lucky bamboo stalks as wedding favors. This bride doesn't mind charting her own course in social affairs, and she loves Chinese devotion to parents and children.

In either case, Asian-themed wedding is a great way to tie your ceremony to your personal values. Perhaps thought of such a wedding crossed your mind, but you thought you had to be Asian? The fact is, Asian traditions and trends have been shaping Americans deeply since 1960s. Maybe it's time to ask yourself this: which type of Asian-themed bride are you?

Next, look at calories you put out. Use an accelerometer (a pager-like device that accurately measures calories burned during activity) to measure your current level of calorie burn and then burn more over time. To burn an extra 50-100 calories park farther away, take stairs, walk dog an extra block and do a few jumping jacks. The key is to measure calories so that you can see your success daily and know that what you are doing is working.

Start measuring calories out and paying attention to “hidden” calories coming in. You will quickly see how to achieve a 100 or more calorie deficit per day and easily have a more fit and trim body next year!