That magical time of year is upon us. The time of year when you’ve eaten far more than you intended to all holiday season and are wracked with guilt. It might be that after years of being out of shape, you look at the calendar and say, “You know what? I’m going to do something about it!” It’s the time of year for resolutions. For many, a major New Year’s resolution is to lose weight, eat healthy, and/or get in shape.

Congratulations to those of you who intend to take the initiative and work on health and fitness. As much as I hope all are successful in this endeavor, it must be said that many make a resolution to change their eating habits or lose weight and then “wash out” by February, if not sooner. Don’t want this to be you? Here are some things to remember as you reach for your sweat bands and blast “Eye of The Tiger” in your headphones:

Talk to a doctor. That recommendation at the end and beginning of fitness commercials isn’t just for liability reasons. It’s actually a really good idea to get medical advice about what fitness plans your undertaking and if they are safe for you. Some movements, such as jumping, might not be good idea if you are particularly obese. Before attempting to do anything that could get you injured, check in with a medical professional.

Weight loss solutions aren’t “one size fits all”. What works for you may not work for others and visa versa. Do not automatically say, “Well it worked for me so you aren’t trying hard enough.” It’s not always about effort; it’s about the individual. You should try and find out what your own daily calorie needs are. They vary from person to person and weight level to weight level. Also try and figure out what fitness program or activity you can do long term. Zumba remains a very popular option, and Blogilates currently rules the web. But hey, don’t sleep on simply getting up and going for a walk. It could change your life.

DON’T STARVE YOURSELF. This is a big one, so I’ll say it again: Do NOT starve yourself. When I say that, I don’t mean simply foregoing eating. Nope, it’s possible to take in calories and still be starving. It happens when your body takes it far less than the calories it needs to actually function at optimal health. The typical recommended minimum for calories is 1100, but this varies. For some the minimum calorie intake might be less, for others, more. It’s probably better to avoid eating at the minimum altogether. Just focus on eating healthier foods, drinking plenty of water, and being more active. Patience is the key. If you’re prepared to take logical steps to better health, you’re more likely to succeed. An extreme like this can result in worse things than immediate disappointment. You may have long term health problems.

Enhance Your Motivation And Stay On Track With Your Weight Loss Goals With These 7 Hot Tips http://t.co/bYlui8miER

— Health Detox (@H_detox) December 29, 2013

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— Sverve (@MySverve) December 27, 2013

Do you have any weight loss goals or tips to share? Share away! Good luck all, and Happy New Year!

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