If you are anything like me, you have big plans for the New Year when it comes to health and fitness. You should absolutely make a health and wellness goal for the New Year, but make sure it is realistic!

Being someone who is easily excited and overambitious, I have certainly made unrealistic goals in the past, and have naturally failed to meet them. Don’t set the bar so high that you won’t be able to achieve your goal.

Set yourself up for success with these five strategies to stick to your new year's resolutions in 2015!

1. Pick a New Year’s resolution that really matters to you.

You are more likely to be successful if your resolution is something you really want. Take some time and consider what is truly most important to you. It may be changing your eating habits, getting more fit, or simply taking more time to care for yourself!

2. Make it meaningful.

Something like “losing weight” may not be a motivating enough goal... Work towards a more specific and immediate goal, such as completing a race. Weight loss will naturally occur with a training plan and you may be more driven when you are striving toward the satisfaction of finishing a race. It’s a win-win!

3. Determine the specifics.

It is important to make your resolution very specific. If you say you are going to start running, that could mean that you run once every other week or it could mean you run 4 times every week. Make your goal specific so you are not tempted to slack or stray. You should also determine exactly when and where you will complete your goal. Ironing out all of the details in the beginning will leave you with a better strategy for success.

For example, I will run four times a week (Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday) for thirty minutes each time, in the neighborhood park.

4. Write your resolution down.

For some reason, writing something down on paper can give you a sense of accountability. Place this reminder somewhere you will see it every day… You can’t hide from your resolution! The refrigerator or bathroom mirror typically make for great places to post your reminder.

5. Talk about your resolution with friends and family.

A support system is always helpful in achieving any kind of goal, and New Year’s resolutions are no exception. You may feel more accountable if you have friends and family checking in on your progress. After all, you won’t want to tell them that you gave up!

1. I will go to a yoga class twice a week
2. I will eat 3 servings of fruit 5 days a week
3. I will take time to have breakfast at home twice during the week
4. I will join a running club and go running with them twice a week
5. I will swim at the local gym once a week
6. I will eat a salad with dinner 3 times a week