Indoor walking is becoming a major part of my fitness life.

Walking bores me and I'm not an outdoors person. Where I live right now the weather is freezing cold, and windy with an astonishing lack of sidewalks.

But walking is good for the heart and body. Plus, I want to do a lot of traveling, and it is hard to go abroad when you hate walking up the block.

I found a solution - indoor walking videos by people like Leslie Sansone. No matter how cold it is or how annoyed I am, I can put on my sneakers, put in a DVD and walk, walk, walk!

What I like about indoor walking DVDs is that I can walk a mile in 14 minutes, feel like I worked out, but i'm not bored to death, and I don't have the "is it over yet" feeling, I have when trying to walk around outside. Plus, it's a lot safer. People drive crazier and crazier every day, especially in the country towns like the one I live in, and it would be a lot better for my fitness and health to not dodge a vehicle every time I am walking.

My uncle, however, still swears by outdoor walking and tries to do five miles in the country every single day. I don't know how he does it.

However, both Indoor and outdoor walking are great ways to relieve stress and frustration, without taking it out on other people, pets, on the road or furniture. The other day I was particularly frustrated and literally stomped it out by doing a fast, advanced Leslie Sansone mile. I used to think she was nuts for saying, "Walking puts you in a better mood," but it's true.

So whether you are walking for fitness or stress relief, indoor walking might be a safe and fun way to go.

Dining out can be every dieter's dilemma of the day. How do you keep up with the diet when the restaurant only serves gourmet platters and over-the-top desserts? As tempting as it may be to just order the daily special and declare it is not a diet day, there are ways to scale back and keep those diet resolutions.

If you're heading out to lunch with the boss or enjoying dinner at your favorite family restaurant, don't sabotage your healthy diet, instead use these tips:

1. Start with soup. A vegetable broth-based soup is a simple way to fill up on fewer calories and enjoy a great meal. Hot soup is a nourishing mini-meal in itself and can fill you up, fast. Start with a bowl of hearty soup then follow it with light lunch fare for a well-balanced, satisfying meal.

2. Eat protein first. Whether you've ordered grilled chicken or roast turkey, chow down on the lean proteins first to prevent a post-meal energy slump. Protein eaten on an empty stomach will keep your energy levels steady and may even reduce your appetite - this makes it much easier to get through the afternoon without snacking on extra treats.

3. Dressing on the side. Even the low-fat dressing you see on the menu can have up to 15 grams of fat per serving, and most of it is probably unsaturated. Steer clear of this diet saboteur by ordering dressing on the side so you can dip your veggies slightly in the concoction for a little flavor. Or you can order safe dressing like balsamic vinaigrette or lemon juice and olive oil for a healthy splash of flavor.

4. Fall in love with red. From soups to pasta sauces, stick with tomato-based dishes to scale back on fat and calories. Marinara sauce and tomato broths are a much healthier choice than the rich and creamy sauces used for clam chowders, Fettuccine Alfredo and even pizza toppings.

5. Enjoy fresh fruit for dessert. Restaurants often serve fresh fruit cups or fruit sides on the children's menu but may also offer a small bowl for dessert. Enjoy some fresh fruit to curb that sweet tooth and skip the rich dessert platter to save a few hundred calories from your daily calorie log. If you must have something from the dessert menu, consider ordering it 'to go' to store in a cooler or lunch tote and enjoy it in small bites the rest of the day or week.

It's easy enough setting goals to 'lose ten pounds' or 'get in shape this year,' but when it comes to putting your diet intentions into practice, the idea can disappear in a flash. Free food at the office, snack attacks when stress levels run high and the temptation to overindulge at dinner can easily add a few pounds to the waistline and completely derail your diet.

Still, there are some easy ways to navigate through your day without partaking in diet sabotage. Here some simple tricks for keeping hunger at bay and just saying 'no' to diet saboteurs:

Pack a Lunch
Grab a lunch bag and stock up on all your favorite healthy fare for a day's food supply. From granola bars and low fat yogurt to a healthy tuna sandwich, you can make your menu ahead of time and turn to your lunch pack when hunger strikes. Having your own food close at hand makes it easier to avoid the snack machine and tempting treats throughout the day.

Sip on Water
Water is good for the body and mind, giving your brain a boost when you're tired and helping the body flush out toxins naturally. Staying hydrated will also ward off hunger pangs; carry a water bottle that you can fill up throughout the day to keep yourself well hydrated and energized throughout your busy day.

Scale Back on Coffee
The coffee habit may be one of your diet demons in disguise; while coffee will give you that jolt you crave, you're also likely to experience a crash in a few hours that leaves you hungry and craving sweets. Start cutting back on coffee and sip on milder, healthier forms of caffeine, like green tea, to keep up your energy level naturally.

Keep Track of Your Meals
Jot down your food intake over the course of the day and keep it close by your side to avoid overindulging. Holding yourself accountable may make it easier to stick with your healthy intentions, especially when the office is dishing out baked goods galore.

Hit the Gym
A brief exercise session each morning will rev up the metabolism and also keep hunger pangs at bay. Starting your day with a healthy activity can also make it easier to make healthier choices the rest of the day.