by Paula Geister

Created on: December 12, 2008   Last Updated: December 15, 2008

If you've decided to make healthy and successful resolutions for the New Year, maybe you've decided to be more determined than ever. Resolutions usually are stated as a plan for the New Year, but they should be stated as goals to achieve a plan. For instance, to resolve to "Eat in a more healthy way, stop stressing out and exercise more" is a plan. It's stated in general terms. Here are some ways to write your resolutions for the New Year so that you'll find health and success:

1. Define a category for your life resolution. A resolution works when you consider overall improvement to body, mind and spirit. Improvements can be made as holistically as you want, but often we separate our goals into categories to keep them simple.

2. Put your resolution in writing and keep it posted in a prominent place. If it's a health-related goal regarding your diet, you may want to post it in the kitchen on the refrigerator or a cupboard door. Writing things down tends to give them credibility and longevity. Writing it down makes it real.

3. Word your resolution in a simple way that is specific, measurable and has a time limit if that is reasonable. You might say, "I will walk for 20 minutes four days a week." This works well and gives you a specific activity to strive for. A habit can be achieved in less than thirty days so you will be well on your way if you start with something measurable. If you plan to improve your language skills, you might decide to "Take the next continuing education class in Spanish at the community college." Perhaps you want to get less stressed in your life. You can promise yourself to "Turn off the television for half an hour during my regular viewing time and take some quiet time for myself."

4. Make the resolution a positive statement if you can. For instance, "I will become a non-smoker by the fourth of July" is a better way to state that you will no longer smoke. "I will stick to the heart healthy diet my doctor prescribed" is a more of a prescription for success than "I will stop eating fast food." It means we have a specific guideline for our diet.

5. Get a friend or a group to keep you accountable. Twelve-step recovery groups and church small groups are well known for offering help and support. They help us keep the promise we make to improve our lives. When you join the gym, get a trainer and make friends with others trying to achieve the same goals. When you join a weight loss program, don't be a stranger to the others who also want to "fit

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