If you’re like most Americans, you have at least one New Year’s resolution, and it is probably related to health and fitness. While resolutions are well-intentioned, unfortunately most people fail at keeping them. It’s in our best interest to take these promises to improve our health seriously. So, what’s the secret to successful resolutions? Here are some easy steps to take to make it easier to fulfill your promise to yourself

Choose an obtainable goal: Resolving to look like a super model is not realistic, but promising to include daily physical activity in our lives is very possible.

Avoid choosing a resolution that you’ve been unsuccessful at achieving year after year. This will only set you up for failure, frustration and disappointment. If you are still tempted to make a promise that you’ve made before, then try altering it. For example, instead of stating that you are going to lose 30 pounds, try promising to eat healthier and increase your weekly exercise.

Create a game plan. Successful businesses start with a plan that describes their mission and specifics on how to achieve it. At the beginning of January, write a comprehensive personal plan and you’ll be more likely to succeed in reaching your fitness goals.

Break it down and make it less intimidating. Rather than one BIG end goal, set several smaller goals to achieve throughout the year that will help you to reach your ultimate goal. Even if you aren’t able to reach your final goal, you’ll have many smaller but significant achievements.

Ask friends and family members to help you so you have someone to be accountable to. Just be sure to set limits so that this doesn’t backfire and become more irritating than helpful. For example, if you resolve to be more positive, ask for gentle reminders when you are negative.

Reward yourself with each milestone. If you’ve stuck with your resolution for 2 months, treat yourself to something special. But, be careful of your reward type. If you’ve lost 5 pounds, don’t give yourself a piece of cake!. Instead, treat yourself to a something like a professional massage.

Don’t go it alone! Get professional assistance. Everyone needs help and sometimes a friend just isn’t enough. Sometimes you need the help of a trained professional. Studies have shown that assistance from a fitness professional greatly improves the rate of success.  

Limit your number of promises. You’ll spread yourself too thin trying to make multiple changes in your life. This will just lead to failure of all of the resolutions.

On average only about 20% of us keep our New Year’s resolutions. Unfortunately, some of the biggest failures are found in fitness resolutions. Don’t let the statistics get you down. By following the tips above you’ll be better equipped to be a fitness success story! 

Jacqui Pomerantz is the Group Fitness and Exercise Coordinator at Levis JCC and an ACE Certified Personal Trainer.