The new year is upon us and the first month of the year is always full of hope, promise, and resolutions. However, statistically speaking, 80% of resolutions fail by the second week of February—yikes![1] If you set new health and fitness goals for the new year, check out these tips to help you stay the course and avoid becoming a statistic.

•   Lay out your workout clothes the night before. Don’t give yourself a chance to make any sort of excuse if you plan to workout in the morning. Lay out your exercise clothes the night before, all the way down to your shoes. That way, all you have to do is to roll out of bed, slide into your prepared outfit, brush your teeth, and get moving!

•   Prepare your snacks for the following day. Meal prep can make all the difference between staying the course and giving into temptation. Prepare your midday snacks the night before so you will not be tempted to raid the vending machine in the break room.

•   Track your progress. If you are staring at yourself in the mirror every day, you are not likely to necessarily notice the gradual changes in your physique. Be sure to document your progress along the way! When you see the numbers and/or photos, you will see how far you have actually come and that can motivate you to keep going.

•   Be nice to yourself. Even the most determined person can slip up—it is okay! Forgive yourself for being human and jump back into your plan; it is better to stumble and get back up than make one mistake and give up completely.

Making resolutions is supposed to be a fun way to make changes in your life, not a horrible punishment. The time is going to pass anyway, so you may as well start now and work towards your goals! What are your favorite tips and tricks for keeping your new year’s resolutions? Tag us on social media and show us how you do it!

[1]  Mulvey, Kelsey. “80% Of New Year's Resolutions Fail by February - Here's How to Keep Yours.” Business Insider, Business Insider, 3 Jan. 2017, www.businessinsider.com/new-years-resolutions-courses-2016-12.

*Bod•ē Pro recommends following a healthy approach to weight loss by consulting with your physician or health care professional prior to starting any new exercise or diet plan.