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It's the very beginning of the year, and you know what that means - New Year's resolutions. About half of Americans make them, and losing weight and getting in shape tend to top the list.

In this economy, though, a pricey gym membership and personal trainer might be out of the question. So here are a number of recent and upcoming DVD releases that aim to help you shed the pounds in your own home - all for a list price of less than $20.

Crunch: Latin Rhythms and Crunch: Yoga Body Sculpt (Anchor Bay, $14.98 each) - The Crunch series, a spinoff from the hip gyms of the same name, have been around for years. They're always a safe bet, particularly for beginners.

Bethany Lyons leads "Yoga Body Sculpt." This is a nice program for those just starting to exercise and those who want a little more than relaxation and flexibility training with their yoga. This program aims to help tone your body as well, concentrating on the legs and stomach. The 40-minute workout includes a good stretch segment at the end.

"Latin Rhythms" is led by Jennifer Galardi and includes 36 minutes of low-impact aerobics with a Latin vibe. The high-energy cast does a series of moves taken from dances from the mambo to the merengue. Miss Galardi is a fun instructor, at one point advising, "Even if it's weird on you, just give me attitude."

Dance Off the Inches: Dance It Off Ballroom (Starz/Anchor Bay, $14.98) - The "Dance Off the Inches" series has already released titles focusing on, but not limited to, hip-hop, belly dancing and salsa. ABC's hit show "Dancing With the Stars" has reignited interest in ballroom dancing, and so the fitness series' latest entry gives the people what they want. Instructor Kristina Milova is a real ballroom-dancing professional, and it shows. She takes viewers through the cha-cha, samba and the jive in this 40-minute workout. An 18-minute tutorial on the steps is also included. The music isn't as good as that in "Crunch: Latin Rhythms," but Miss Milova shows you steps you'll really be able to take out of the workout room and onto the dance floor. The next "Dance Off the Inches" release, scheduled for next month, might not have such wide appeal - it's a country line-dance workout.

Weight Loss: Cardio Sculpt and Weight Loss: Pilates (Acacia, $14.99 each) - You need to change both your diet and your exercise routine to lose weight effectively. A couple of companies are making it easier by including tips on both in their DVDs. Acacia, for example, has launched its new series "Weight Loss" in an effort to give people information on both aspects of a healthy lifestyle.

Violet Zaki's encouraging Australian voice makes doing the tough "Cardio Sculpt" a little easier. The DVD has two 20-minute workouts, both incorporating cardio and strength training alternating in high-intensity intervals. The cardio is also high-impact, but Miss Zaki shows you how to modify if you need to. There's also an eight-minute ab routine.

"Pilates" is a pretty innovative DVD, with instructor Kristin McGee combining traditional Pilates floor exercises with cardio intervals. It makes for two quite effective 20-minute workouts. This DVD also includes a five-minute ab workout. While most DVD workouts feature the instructor fronting a small group of exercisers, "Pilates" has just Miss McGee and a very beautiful set adorned with red brick, green plants and white candles.

Both "Weight Loss" DVDs have a bonus section with exercises you can do throughout the day to keep yourself from being sedentary outside the workout room. They also aim to get diet into the mix; each has its own 16-page booklet with tips and recipes from the very good Cooking Light magazine.