New Year Resolutions

Resolutions fail because they're a usually half-hearted attempt to make a change without really understanding the reasons and motivation behind them. Losing weight is a favourite and most people will focus on the negative side of 'going on a diet' or watch the scales to closely then get disappointed and frustrated when they slip up or don't lose as much as they want. Far better to think about being fit and healthy for the person that you are.

Few of us are going to be able to look like Kate Moss. Having a healthy, balanced diet is a far better goal to aim for and knowing what you will have once you are healthy and what you are letting go by no longer being unfit and overweight. By all means measure this goal by checking your weight but this doesn't have to be the only measure.

Don't spend out large sums of money on a gym membership with great enthusiasm at the beginning of the year, only to give up as Spring arrives. Find a way of exercising that you enjoy - it doesn't have to mean joining a gym. There are plenty of classes available for everything from dancing to yoga. Swimming and walking are great for all round exercise and there are plenty of ways to increase your activity in each day.

People tend to be too general with their resolutions which is why they've usually given up on them by February. New habits take time to adopt - so if you've spent a lifetime of eating biscuits, processed foods and sitting on the couch - don't expect to have changed all this in just two short months.

Understanding the underlying reasons for wanting the change and also the reasons why we so often fail will increase the chances of being successful.

• Write them down - really, really understand what it is that you want.
• Talk it through with a partner or friend but know that they have their own perspective and underlying motivations.
• Be realistic and focus on what you want not what you don't want.
• If you go off track, don't give up, adjust, modify and get back on track.

Only when the pain of remaining the same becomes greater than the pain of making the change will you be ready to do something about it.

Set a resolution this year that you will actually achieve - change just one thing.