BANGOR – As millions of Americans tackle the annual ritual of making New Year’s resolutions, the nation’s YMCAs are encouraging families to put a new twist on an old custom and make resolutions for 2007 together as a family.

The Bangor YMCA and the YWCA Bangor-Brewer have worked in Bangor for more than 140 and 90 years respectively to build strong families and see every day the power of a supportive community and family in achieving goals.

“The need is as strong today as ever before,” said Rob Reeves, Bangor Y chief executive officer. “Families are under increasing stress and struggle to balance work, family and health and to find supportive communities. Children struggle to develop the positive values, self-esteem and healthy habits for a healthy, productive adulthood.”

Studies confirm again and again the vital role that consistent interaction and connectedness play in the long-term health and well-being of individual family members.

Children who develop healthy physical activity through play and eating habits while they are young are more likely to continue to lead healthy lifestyles through adulthood.

Teens who eat with their families most days have better grades and less depression and substance abuse than kids who frequently eat on their own. Strong, supportive relationships improve the life expectancy and long-term health of adults and seniors.

“Families grow stronger and healthier by focusing goals on more than just adding minutes of exercise and cutting out unhealthy snacks,” said Tammy Hodgdon, Bangor Y senior health and fitness director. “Goals that balance, nurture and strengthen spirit, mind and body are the key to building healthier families for the long term. It’s really the ultimate exercise.”

The latest data from the National Center for Health Statistics confirms a dramatic lifestyle health crisis in the United States. Sixty million adults -about 30 percent of the U.S. adult population – and 9 million children are obese or overweight; 16 percent of the nation’s children have Type II diabetes.

According to the New England Journal of Medicine, the current generation of American children could be the first to lead shorter lives than their parents.

“The health statistics clearly illustrate why it’s so important for kids and adults alike to lead healthier lifestyles. At the Bangor Y, we believe strong families play a critical role in how to make it happen,” said Reeves.

The Bangor Y offers families these tips on preparing, developing and achieving successful family New Year’s resolutions:

. Schedule a time to talk about family resolutions. Make a firm time commitment, involve all family members and have all family members do a “homework” assignment in preparation. Use tips and worksheets from the Bangor Y to help get started. Even the youngest children can participate with help from an older family member. Have a conversation that is meaningful, memorable and fun.

. Make “well-rounded” resolutions. The Bangor Y suggests developing lifestyle resolutions that balance spirit, mind and body. Consider areas including physical activity, nutrition, community service and volunteerism, worship, learning and fun.

. Make resolutions specific, realistic and measurable. Develop resolutions that are inclusive for the whole family and consider each person’s starting point. Choose goals that are measurable and put the family on the road toward a healthier lifestyle. Measure success in small increments by creating monthly goals and avoiding “all or nothing” thinking.

. Accentuate the positive. Make more resolutions that focus on adding healthy activities rather than restricting unhealthy ones – adding a fresh fruit snack every afternoon will naturally help replace the afternoon candy bar.

. Don’t “over-resolve.” Consider what’s realistic given the realities of your family’s daily life that cannot be changed, or at least not changed overnight.

. Track progress in a fun, interactive and visual way. Put resolutions in writing and display them on the refrigerator where every family member will see them regularly. Be creative: make resolution posters and charts for mapping progress.

. Celebrate with positive, healthy rewards. Honor each small success with positive, fun and healthy rewards that meet the needs of the entire family. Schedule regular check-ins, such as a monthly family dinner discussion and celebrate achievements, both big and small.

. Prepare for setbacks and work together to overcome barriers as a team. Setbacks aren’t failure; they are times to call in the troops for reinforcement. A bout with the flu might get the whole family off track for a week or two, so schedule a family meeting to get restarted.

If a family member is having trouble meeting a goal, brainstorm together to develop a new strategy. For example, if mom is having trouble finding time for exercise, the kids can do the dishes a few nights a week so she can take a 30-minute walk.

For more helpful tips, resolution ideas, tools – including worksheets – and resources to help families develop and succeed in their resolutions, visit www.ymca.net and click on “Resources for Families.”

For information about the Bangor Y, visit www.bangorY.org, or call 941-2815 or 941-2808.