The Tale of the New Year’s Fail [Infographic]

Each holiday season, the average American gains one pound. They then go on to make New Year’s resolutions to eat better, exercise more, and lose weight. Unfortunately, New Year’s resolutions that are focused on weight loss are not followed through to the next year even a quarter of the time, and that one pound that most people put on during the holidays is still there the next holiday season.

Check out the following infographic to see what those collective holiday pounds are costing two-thirds of Americans, as well as 10 ideas to make the long, hard road of getting and staying in shape a smashing success and something to be proud of when next year’s resolutions are being made.

Tuesday Giveaway Linkup: January 3rd – January 10th

It’s that time of the week again; blog link-up time with Woman Tribune! Use this space to help spread the word about the giveaways going on at your blog using the linky below, and while you’re here, don’t forget to visit the many other giveaways going on around the blogosphere. Who knows, maybe you’ll win some really cool stuff!

Here’s the deal: Use the linky below to link up your giveaways, and only actual giveaways. This means no linking using affiliate links, Twitter profiles, Facebook profiles, or to main blog pages. Lastly, if you’re a giveaway linky-hopper you know this already, but as a refresher, here’s how to submit your link below:

Blog Name – Giveaway Prize – End Date

Now link away!

We Put a New (Easier!) Spin on the Traditional Cookie Exchange with a Chex Party Mix-Change — Prize Pack and $20 Gift Card Giveaway [Closed]

Cookies are a time-honored holiday tradition for most of us. Some of the best cookies made all year by anyone are those made in celebration of the holidays, and it is during this time of the year that we collectively throw our weight management plans out the window–hence all of those weight loss-oriented New Year’s resolutions. When I was a kid, I knew it was time to start getting really excited for Christmas when my grandmother started the holiday baking. By the time she was through, we would have several containers full of a variety of different cookies, and they lasted well into the new year.

The art of baking the perfect holiday cookie is pretty much lost on me as an adult. Me and baking is very hit or miss, but I still wanted …

2011 Holiday Retail Winners and Losers [Infographic]

The holidays are a time for togetherness, celebrating the season with family and those closest to you, and eating way too much. It is also a time for gift-giving and receiving. In fact, people spend so much time shopping in preparation for the holidays that television viewership significantly decreases, while restaurants see a disproportionately high percentage of their annual business around this time of the year.

The holiday season alone makes up between 25-40% of total annual retail sales, so the most wonderful time of the year can be a particularly joyous time for some retailers, while others can be left struggling.

Check out the following infographic to see which big-name retailers came out as winners after the hustle and bustle of the holiday season and also information on the industries that typically benefit most during the holidays.