Gadgets to Kick-Start Your New Year's Resolutions

Another year is almost over, so it's time to look back and reflect on those things we want to change about ourselves in the coming year. Whether you want to lose weight, stop smoking, or just spend more time with the kids, there's a gadget that can help you achieve your goals. Here's a list of some of the most popular resolutions and gizmos to motivate you in the coming year.

Resolution No. 1: Ditch Bad Habits

Smoking and drinking are always on top of the New Year's resolution list. There are many gizmos to help you quit smoking, but if you plan to quit gradually, check out Smoke Signals. The program includes an interactive case that tracks every cigarette you smoke and how long until your next one. It uses that information to customize a Quit Plan, so every week it reduces the amount of cigarettes you can smoke by spreading them evenly throughout the day until you're down to zero. Data captured by the case is uploaded weekly to a Scheduler, so you can track your own progress until you quit. If you want something similar for a lower price, check out QuitKey and SmokeLess Counter too.

Resolution No. 2: Fit in Fitness

Going to a gym on a daily basis can be challenging when you have a full schedule, but if you don't have room for a treadmill, check out the JumpSnap Ropeless Jump Rope. You really have no excuse if you own one of these. The JumpSnap has no rope, which means you can work out even if you live in a small apartment or while traveling. The device produces a real snapping sound, and tracks your jumps, time, calories burned, and alerts you when you've reached your fitness goal. A built-in talk mode makes you feel like you've got your own personal trainer. It runs on AA batteries and sells for $60.

Resolution No. 3: Spend More Time with Family

In order to spend more time with the family, you'll need gear that'll take care of the dirty work for you on weekends. The company iRobot has many helpers like the iLooj that moves forward and backward to clean gutters, and the new Roomba vacuums all the rooms in your house. Another great option is the RoboMower, a robotic lawnmower that will automatically cut and mulch your grass at the push of a button. Now you can go play Rock Band with the kids, minus the guilt.

Resolution No. 4: Be More Eco-Conscious

Any of the gifts on my Killer Gifts for the Eco-Conscious Geek list are a great way to get started on your New Year's resolution, but don't forget to unplug those vampire electronics when they're not in use. I recently wrote about a few gadgets that help you identify these phantom loads and save you money in the long run. Kill-A-Watt EZ and TED (The Energy Detective) monitor your electricity usage in real time and tell you how much money you're spending on electricity. You could also FreeCycle your gadgets or recycle those nonworking electronics just sitting in your closet.

Resolution No. 5: Organize Your Home/Office by Going Wireless

I've decided that instead of spending more money on wire organizers, I'll just start looking for more wireless gadgets like the Evolve Wireless Speakers or the Brother wireless printer. You can place any of these two gadgets anywhere in the office without worrying about running wires across the room. Another great option for gadget lovers who inevitably need to recharge all their gear is the WildCharge pad. The pad plugs into the wall but will charge only those gadgets equipped with a WildCharger adapter. WildCharge will soon support the iPhone, the iPod Touch, and BlackBerrys, so keep checking back with them. Lastly, if you're tired of tangled earbuds, check out any of these options and kiss those ugly wires good-bye.

Got any other ideas? Share them below.