New Years Resolutions: Avoid these mistakes.

Avoid These Common Fitness Mistakes in your New Year's Resolutions.

The beginning of a new year is a chance to start fresh. Whether you want to quit smoking, lose weight, or spend more time with your family, the new year is the perfect time to set goals for yourself.

But staying on task for these goals can be challenging—too often, even the best-intentioned resolutions can fall apart by the end of the month. To make goals that stick this year, make sure to avoid these common New Years' resolution mistakes.

1. Making Unreasonable Resolutions

When the new year comes around and everyone starts talking about the changes they're going to make, it's easy to get competitive and aim for something unrealistic. Unrealistic goals that are destined to fall flat. Want to lose 20 lbs. this month?

Your New Year's resolution should be something you can reasonably achieve. Shooting too high means setting yourself up to fail, which doesn't do your motivation any favors. Think about your strengths and limitations when you set your goals.

2. Going In Without a Plan

Acknowledging a change that you'd like to make is a great first step. It doesn't mean much, however, if you don't create a plan for how to make that resolution happen.

If you’re hoping to lose weight, for example, decide ahead of time how you're going to do it. Will you change your diet? Will you hit the home gym at least once a week? Define your goals in a way that you can measure.

motivation can be difficult, but it's the only way to stay true to your New Year's resolution. Remember to reward yourself along the way, and check out your results regularly for some positive feedback. If your goal is to get more fit, it helps to have an elliptical or treadmill at home to remind you of your mission.

The Takeaway

A New Year's resolution is a commitment to change according to your needs and ambitions. Your resolution can be as big or small as you want it to be, and it doesn't have to be done within the year. Set reasonable goals and make a framework to accomplish them, and remember to stay true to yourself and keep your head up through the duration—even when it gets tough.

Have questions? Ask them in the comments below!