Do you know what the most popular New Year resolutions are?

Lose weight, get in shape, eat healthy, stop drinking, and stop smoking.

I love New Year resolutions! It gives us a chance to reflect on the past year and continue with what enhances our lives and evaluate what doesn’t, without judgment.

It reminds us to love ourselves and put ourselves first, giving us an opportunity to reflect and create a future—just as we want it. New Year resolutions allow us to commit to a plan that supports that future by putting the tools and support in place to accomplish and work toward it.

Your life is the most beautiful project you can be accountable for. That includes being kind to yourself if your life plan needs adjustments, taking care of your body, mind, and soul, and enjoying everything life has to offer so you can push through mountains when roadblocks appear.

What the New Year brings to you will depend on what you bring to the New Year. This isn’t always easy, but with the right plan it will be!

The key is to set goals that you can accomplish—avoid unrealistic ones or ones that are not maintainable. You’ll push past your comfort zones and feel great. Set your health and fitness goals from your heart and soul. Remember to love yourself while making them.

Who doesn’t want to feel and look amazing? Live your best life! Everything in your life is better when we feel better—we all deserve that.

Over the past 20 years, I’ve seen so many people get excited leading up to the New Year, then feel let down because their resolutions weren’t realistic. This year, let’s set goals that’ll be life-changing and push us toward being healthy and fit. It’s time to take accountability for our own lives and be excited about how much power we have over our life plans.

When setting your New Year health and fitness resolutions:

Be realistic. Set challenging but realistic goals.
Pick one goal at a time.
Create a doable timeline.
Create new habits.
Journal about why you’re making this change. How will it improve and enhance your life?
Have a back up plan. What you try at first may not work.
That’s okay. Change is good.

Also remember: nothing is set in stone. You don’t have to start right on New Year’s Day. If that doesn’t work, pick a day you know you can commit to.

Setting a plan to succeed:

Start off slow. Most people jump in with both feet and take off running. Instead, break it down to daily small steps that will get you to your overall goal.
Consistency is key. Do something every day to move you toward your resolutions. You have 365 days. Don’t give up. Every day counts and every day you get another chance to live a healthy and fit life. Start each day off with a “can do” attitude of succeeding. Continue until you do!
Breaking old habits can be tough. If you have setbacks, don’t give up. It takes time to create new routines. Have a plan A and B.
Put it in your calendar. Schedule your 2020 action items to achieve your goals. Marking off daily achievements helps you see your wins.
Be positive and love yourself. Pat yourself on the back daily.
Remember your “why.” Revisiting how our goals will improve our lives really helps. Try to be specific why this resolution is so important. If you don’t know, you probably won’t stick with it.
Put up photos, quotes, prayers, or anything that inspires or motivates to help keep you focused on your resolutions. I, personally, keep a photo on my cell phone of myself when I’ve felt my best. I stop, look at it, and make a decision that supports my goals. Read books that support your goals. Be around people that support your goals.

If setting up a plan is hard, try hiring a health coach—they will help take your overall goal and break down each step.

Recruit your spouse, family, and/or friends. Keep each other accountable. Even have a healthy competition.

Invest in your resolutions. Hire a personal trainer, chef, nutritionist. Make sure they have a clear understanding of your goals.

If your plan doesn’t excite you, maybe you haven’t dug deep enough. Stop and visualize your life flowing exactly as you want it. See the end results. Know you can do it.

You got this! Don’t quit. Enjoy the journey. When we are aligned with our best self, everything goes more smoothly. Everything is just a little easier. Get excited. Know you will be supported. This is going to be the best year ever!

Dina Juve

Health & Fitness Editor

Dina has been in health and fitness for over twenty years. Though based in California’s Central Valley, she is globally known as a fitness guru, transformation expert, weight loss specialist, and meditation teacher.