It's the time of year when people make New Year's resolutions.

They want to lose weight, exercise more and eat healthier. These are all great ideas for resolutions, but they don't always work out.

It can be challenging to keep a resolution because there is no one else telling you what to do; it comes down solely on willpower. The key is making your goal something you really want and not just giving up after a few weeks or months.

In this blog, we'll go over some of the most common resolutions that people make and why most end up failing. We'll also share 12 habits that successful resolution keepers have in common.

Losing weight is the most popular resolution

Weight loss is by far one of the most popular New Year's resolutions every year.

However, the problem with this goal is that it can lead to dieting or strict eating habits instead of healthier lifestyle changes. Most people who try to lose weight by restrictive dieting gain the weight back, plus some.

This is because diets are usually too restrictive, and people eventually give up on them. To successfully lose weight and keep it off, you need to make small changes that you can stick to over time.

You also need to find an exercise routine you enjoy, so you're more likely to stick with it.

Exercising more is another popular resolution

Another popular New Year's resolution is exercising more.

This can be a great goal, but only if you make sure that you're not overdoing it. Working out too much or too hard can lead to injuries and burnout. It's much better to make a goal of exercising 30 minutes a day, three days per week.

This is an attainable amount that you can increase over time as your fitness level improves. Forcing yourself into intense workouts or long durations at first will likely lead to burnout and quitting altogether.

It's important to take things slow when starting a new fitness routine.

Successful resolution keepers have these 12 habits in common

What do successful resolution keepers have in common? Well, they typically have 12 habits that help them stay on track.

Here are some of the most common ones:

1. They make a plan. This means figuring out what their goal is and how they will achieve it. They also create a timeline with milestones and deadlines so they know when to expect results.

2. They focus on the big picture. Most people can't stay motivated for very long because it's hard to see progress day after day. Successful resolution keepers always have their eye on the prize and remember why they started in the first place.

3. They break down goals into small steps. This is an essential habit for resolution keepers to cultivate. A big, overwhelming goal can be very discouraging and lead people to give up before they even get started.

4. They take things day by day. Rather than worrying about what's going to happen in a month or year from now, successful resolution keepers only focus on what's happening today. This helps them stay in the moment and avoid getting overwhelmed.

5. They reward themselves. When they reach a milestone or accomplish something significant, successful resolution keepers treat themselves to something special. This helps them stay motivated and keeps them from feeling like they're working hard all the time.

6. They exercise patience. It takes time and effort to change bad habits and achieve goals. Successful resolution keepers know this and are willing to do the necessary work to see results.

7. They forgive themselves. Nobody is perfect, and successful resolution keepers know that they're going to make mistakes along the way. They don't beat themselves up over these missteps but instead learn from them and move on.

8. They stay positive. This is one of the most important habits of successful resolution keepers. They focus on the good things happening in their lives rather than the negative ones.

9. They don't compare themselves to others. It's easy to get discouraged when you're constantly comparing yourself to other people, and successful resolution keepers know that this is a recipe for failure. They remind themselves that everybody has different strengths and weaknesses, so there's no point comparing yourself to others.

10. They don't give up. Successful resolution keepers have strong willpower when it comes to achieving their goals. It can be difficult to avoid temptations or distractions, but successful resolution keepers don't give up easily.

11. They have support. Having somebody else cheer you on is one of the best ways to fulfill your resolutions. Whether it's a friend, family member or coworker, successful resolution keepers know that they need somebody to rely on when things get tough.

12. They motivate themselves. Successful resolution keepers have a powerful internal motivator that keeps them going even when things are difficult. They remind themselves of why they started in the first place and know what success will look like once their resolutions become habits.

So there you have it!

Now you know the 12 habits of highly successful resolution keepers. If you want to make your New Year's resolutions stick, try implementing some or all of these tips into your routine.

You can also sign up for one of our healthy lifestyle education programs to help you stay on track.

Good luck and have a happy new year!