A new year is upon us, and as usual, people across the world are preparing for their New Year’s resolutions.

Perhaps you want to lose 10 pounds, go down a couple pant sizes, or are striving for overall better health. Whatever the case may be, here are some tips to help you reach your goals and stay healthy all year long.

Keep Track

Keep a food and exercise diary. Not only will this help you remember what you’ve done and eaten each day, but it will help you understand why (or why not) you’re losing weight. Food and exercise logs are incredible because they help you understand what works for your body and what doesn’t. They’re a sure-fire way to kick off the new year in the best way possible. All it takes is a couple minutes. (Not to mention, there are wonderful apps you can get on your phone to track your progress such as My Fitness Pal, Amwell, Calorie Counter Pro, and many more.)

Check Your Labels

The last thing we want to do is be blinded by our “secret enemies.” Do some research and know what is good and bad. For example, you’ll want to avoid faux sweeteners such as sucrose and aspartame. Both have been linked to serious health problems such as headache, dizziness, nausea and even seizures. Avoid food labels that have dozens of ingredients, too. In the case of nutrition and food, “the more the merrier” doesn’t apply.

Be Consistent

Get into a routine of tracking your food and tracking your workouts. Avoid simply being on a “diet” and make healthy living a part of your daily life. The more you make time for some form of physical activity alongside preparing healthy, nutritious meals, the more it will just seem like a part of your daily ritual.

Motivation

Whether it be a song you can run to, a quote hung up on your fridge, or a picture, use motivational techniques to help you stay on track. Rock My Run is one of my personal favorite sites for getting the best song mixes for workout out. Additionally, don’t be afraid to reward yourself with something tangible here and there, such as a smoothie or an extra episode of your favorite Netflix show.

Although the holidays are among us and that Christmas feast is hard to avoid, these tips will ensure your New Year’s resolutions aren’t just resolutions—they’ll simply become healthy habits.