The winter skies may be chilly and gray, but the future is bright! The new year brings new opportunities and new goals.

If you’re making resolutions about fitness, you’re not alone, but we know it can be daunting when you’re just starting out. Researchers have found that 55 percent of New Year’s resolutions are focused on health, but 80 percent of people fail at their resolution by the second week of February.

This may seem bleak, but you can beat the odds by combating factors that make meeting your goals more difficult. Here are a few tips to help you keep your New Year’s resolution for the entire year!

Avoid words like “should.”

Resolutions aren’t made to be broken. Using language that leaves no room for excuses when you think about your goals can help you stay motivated and on track.

Words like “should” suggest there’s an obligation that not only seems unappealing but also keeps you from committing fully. To combat this and stick to your resolution, think about how you can and will achieve your goals, and find a gym with programs (like childcare while you exercise) that make it easier to avoid excuses.

Start with a healthy diet.

When it comes to fitness resolutions, it’s important to remember another important piece of the puzzle: diet. When you’re working toward a weight loss or other wellness goal, you need to give your body the nutrition it needs to stay healthy.

So, how does that help you keep your New Year’s resolution? Eating foods like whole grains, lean meats, and vegetables will boost your energy levels for your workouts. If you’re new to healthy eating, check out a local learning kitchen to find nutritious recipes.

Find social support.

Working toward a goal alone is definitely possible, but having social support can make it easier and more fun! Group fitness classes and working out with friends can help you get excited about heading to the gym.

Need more one-on-one motivation? January 1 may be New’s Year’s Day, but January 2 is Personal Trainer Awareness Day. Try working with a wellness coach or personal trainer to find what works for you!

Track your progress.

It’s hard to stay motivated if you can’t see that you’re making progress. By taking note of changes, not only can you enhance your workout, but you can also feel more excited about improving every time you hit the gym.

Keeping a training journal is a common way to track progress, especially if you’re lifting weights or running as a large part of your routine. With new technology, apps like Matrix make it easy to let cardio machines automatically log your workouts for you to review later!

Have fun!

The science is clear: Feeling immediate enjoyment when you work out is a better way to stick to your New Year’s resolution than far-off rewards. It’s best to stop telling yourself about the amazing cheat meal you’ll have in March when you reach your goals—and to start picking workouts that you love instead.

Group fitness, swimming, or sports leagues are great ways to stick to your fitness resolution while also having fun. The more you enjoy what you do now, the more likely you are to want to do it again tomorrow!

You can beat the odds this new year! If you’re focused on fitness for your 2019 resolution, follow these tips to help you stick to it all year.

With two locations in Lafayette, Indiana, the Lafayette Family YMCA is a community committed to healthy living and social responsibility. For more fitness tips and to stay up-to-date about YMCA events, connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram, or visit our website.