Since New Year's resolutions are meant to be broken, and usually are, I have thought about why this is. Mainly, people are too general when they make resolutions. Let's look at some typical ones when it comes to health:

"I'm going to lose weight."

How much weight?

How will you do this?

"I'm going to start going to the gym."

How often will you go?

What will you do?

"I'm going to cut down on (fill in dessert, alcohol, etc.)"

What specifically will you cut out?

The point is to clearly state what you are going to do. Make a plan instead of a goal! Here are some ideas:

Eat nothing after 7:30 p.m.

Night eating, especially carbohydrates, will often turn to fat as you sleep. Finish dinner before 7:30, and as you are getting to bed by 10:30 (ideally!), you shouldn't need to eat again until breakfast. Also, if your stomach doesn't have to digest food while you sleep, you will have a more restful night and be energized the next day for your workout!

Plan your workouts.

If you resolute to get to the gym, make it a plan to be there Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 7:00 a.m. If mornings don't work, go at noon or in the evenings. You can do a lot in a 1 hour or even a 45 minute workout!

Cut out sugars.

Sugar is making you carry extra weight! Cut it out wherever you can. Read ingredients in everything you are buying. Is sugar one of the top 5 ingredients? If so, don't get it! Think of substituting your sugary desserts with more healthy choices. Hot (natural) cocoa is actually healthy and you can add a little honey to sweeten it to get your chocolate fix! Fruit can also be your dessert.

Be Specific.

If you want to lose weight, start with exactly how much you want to lose. For some people, pounds are what they need to measure, but for others, body fat may be more specific and motivating. Plan to complete an event, such as a 10K run. Actually sign up and pay the entry fee (I've noticed this will always set me in motion to training!). Your workouts will then become automatic, and much more fun.

Reserve 10 Minutes a Day.

Take 10 minutes every day to work on your mind. Find a meditation CD, a Yoga DVD, or just sit quietly and concentrate on your breathing. As this becomes easier, increase this to 15, 20 or 30 minutes. You will be amazed at how much more you can accomplish with just a little quite time set aside!

Whatever you do, plan to succeed. Surround yourself with people that will be supportive of your New Year's plans, not people that will allow you to "cheat" or slip up.

Good luck and this year make it stick!

About the Author:

Kevin is a personal trainer and triathlon coach in San Diego. He has owned a personal training company, and consulted in the fitness field for over 9 years. Author of the E-Book, The Healthy Burn, a comprehensive fat-burning plan for couch potatoes, competitive athletes, and anyone in between.

For more effective ways to lose weight and get in shape, check out http://www.thehealthyburn.com/