Not Just for New Year's: Study Shows Many Women Resolve at Least Four Times a Year to Eat Right, Exercise

NORTHFIELD, Ill., Dec. 11 /PRNewswire/ -- New Year's might be considered prime time for resolving to get in shape -- 64 percent of women say that it's on their list of resolutions, but seven out of 10 women (71 percent) make up their minds at least twice a year to eat right and exercise, according to a new survey.(1) And, more than a third (37 percent) renew their weight-loss and fitness vows four or more times a year.

While the single biggest challenge (51 percent) for those wanting to lose weight and get fit -- at New Year's or any time of the year -- is getting started, nearly 70 percent of women are likely to make food purchases throughout the year with the intent to lose or maintain weight.

New South Beach Diet(R) Food Options

Whether it's a New Year's resolution or a mid-year commitment to start eating right, there is a South Beach Diet(R) food from Kraft that offers convenience and great taste. In January 2007, three varieties of new South Beach Diet(R) Frozen Wraps and three flavors of new Snack Bar Delights join the line of more than 50 South Beach Diet(R) foods from Kraft. New January 2007 product varieties include:

South Beach Diet(R) Frozen Wraps -- Chicken Monterey -- Herb Chicken -- Teriyaki Steak South Beach Diet(R) Snack Bar Delights -- Chocolate Raspberry -- Chocolate Mint -- Peanut Butter

The complete line of South Beach Diet(R) foods from Kraft, based on the principles of the best-selling diet, includes items for breakfast, lunch, dinner and snack time.

The South Beach Diet is a weight-loss plan that encourages people to eat a variety of foods, such as lean sources of protein, whole grains, fruits and vegetables, reduced fat cheeses and dairy products and right fats like olive and canola oil.

Physical Activity Plays Key Role Too

Even moderate activity will boost weight loss and plays a role to any sensible lifestyle plan. Among women surveyed, the majority (62 percent) cited cardio exercise, such as walking or jogging, as the most beneficial activity and 26 percent mentioned core training, such as Pilates.

Celebrity fitness trainer Ramona Braganza -- who's trained Hollywood celebrities including Jessica Alba, Halle Berry and Jessica Biel -- will demonstrate functional fitness, which includes core and cardio exercises, throughout the New Year's weight-loss season. She recommends exercises that fit into every lifestyle and can be done anytime, anywhere.

"Even my celebrity clients find it difficult to find the time and motivation to get in shape. One secret I share is that you don't need fancy equipment, a gym membership or hours of exercise to look and feel great. The key is an effective exercise routine that's easy, rewarding and fun....and can be at home, office or even while hanging out with your kids. Just 30 minutes a day -- even in 10 minute increments -- is appropriate for every fitness level and can lead toward noticeable results," Braganza said.

Sample exercises are available for download at http://www.southbeachdiet.com/kraft . The program is on http://www.southbeachdiet.com/ .

The South Beach Diet and Kraft

Kraft's alliance with The South Beach Diet, which includes more than 50 South Beach Diet(R) convenience foods, gives consumers many choices whether they are following The South Beach Diet or simply trying to eat right. The South Beach Diet brand continues to help consumers select products that fit with their specific diet and taste needs through "South Beach Diet(R) Recommended" buttons, found on Kraft products ranging from Planters nuts to Boca Burgers.

Kraft Food's Commitment to Health & Wellness

Kraft has been a leader in marketing products that help people eat and live better, offering a range of nutritious alternatives like fat-free and sugar-free products, as well as those that leverage emerging health and wellness trends. Kraft's product portfolio provides a broad range of options for consumers to choose different products for various eating occasions.

About Kraft Foods

Kraft Foods is the world's second-largest food and beverage company. For more than 100 years, we've been dedicated to helping people around the world eat and live better. Hundreds of millions of times a day, in more than 150 countries, consumers reach for their favorite Kraft brands including Kraft cheeses and dinners, Jacobs, Gevalia and Maxwell House coffees, Oscar Mayer meats, DiGiorno pizzas, Oreo cookies, Ritz and Wheat Thins crackers and chips, Philadelphia cream cheese, Milka and Cote d'Or chocolates, Honey Bunches of Oats cereals, Good Seasons salad dressings and Tang refreshment beverage. They've also started adding our Tassimo hot beverage system, South Beach Diet(R) line and a growing range of better-for-you Sensible Solution products to their shopping baskets, continually expanding their list of Kraft favorites. For more information, visit kraft.com.

About The South Beach Diet(R)

Preventive cardiologist Arthur Agatston, MD developed The South Beach Diet(R) to help his patients whose weight and blood chemistries were not improving. His balanced approach to nutrition and weight management proved highly effective and later served as the basis for his first non-academic work, The South Beach Diet(R). Subsequent books published under The South Beach Diet(R) title also became bestsellers, including: The South Beach Diet Cookbook (2004); The South Beach Diet Good Fats Good Carbs Guide (2004), The South Beach Quick & Easy Cookbook (2005), and The South Beach Diet Dining Guide (2005), The South Beach Diet Parties & Holidays Cookbook (2006). The South Beach Diet(R) - "Changing the Way America Eats" http://www.southbeachdiet.com/

(1) New Year's Dieting Resolution Survey, conducted in September 2006 by Kraft South Beach Diet. The survey was conducted online with a random sample of 1,011 women ages 25 to 55 across the country who are members of the CyberPulse(TM) Advisory Panel.