So once again it’s a new year and people are busy recovering from last night’s shenanigans or waking up after silently cheering in 2010 in their sleep. Either way, it’s the typical time for setting new goals, changing a lifestyle, and of course making those clichéd resolutions to be healthier, happier, eat better, and look just absolutely fabulous.

Now if you’re anything like me, then those may just come and go as quickly as the stroke of midnight. If so, you may need some new ways of achieving these healthy aspirations. Here are just a few ideas to making the grade:

1. Drink Water: Forget the 8 cups or whatever of water that research has pushed upon us for years. Just drink it- during work breaks, right before meals, before and after a workout, and whenever you may have that craving for another cup of coffee or that Coke tempting you from the vending machine. Not only will your body have to rehydrate after any sort of exercise, but water helps with digestion and cleansing the body’s cells of unwanted contaminants for optimal flexibility. Drinking cold water is even better as your body will have to burn up some energy warming it up.

2. Do something just a little out of the ordinary: It’s not just about going to the gym every other day to lift weights or run on the treadmill. Keep up your interest and motivation by trying something a little new, a little daring, or just plain old fun. There are all sort of “newfound” unconventional exercises that are bound to get your heart pumping or muscles flexing where you can actually enjoy yourself versus counting down those minutes. Try rockclimbing (indoors or outdoors), stripper-cise, kayaking, dancing, pilates, yoga, kettle-ball, tai-chi, karate, or boxing, to name a few.

3. Change your pace: But if you are looking for the true and standard exercise, mix it up a little instead of counting down those minutes on the treadmill or bicycle. Try running at a moderate pace for 3 minutes and speeding it up for 1 minute and backing down to the moderate pace. This will not only help the time fly, but the change in pacing will make your body work harder to match the changing physical demand and increase that after-exercise metabolic rate.

4. Have a partner: Having no one else but yourself accountable for those gym workouts may just mean you’re more likely to change into your pajamas and rest for that extra hour or so. Pick a friend, your significant other, or that all-too-cute neighbor to partner up with. You’ll be less likely to make excuses if you’ve got someone to share the sweat with.

5. Be social: No reason it has to be just you listening to your mp3 player and blocking out the world. Organize a hiking or rafting trip, get your girls out to that strippercise class, or catch up with the friend you never get to during a long walk around the park. The conversation and laughter will get your mind off the fact that you’re breathing a little harder and feeling the burn. This way you can make sure you keep it at an intensity where you’re getting a good workout but not overstraining.

6. Spare time exercises: Too busy to go the gym? No problem. If you don’t have that hour chunk to dedicate to exercise, everyone has few minutes here and there. When you are waiting for that meeting to start, for the kids to get out of school, or at the end of lunch period, be active. If you’re on the 4th floor of your office, climb that flight of stairs or walk around the building. If you’re on hold on the phone, do lunges or core strengthening. Those extra repetitions will overtime strengthen those muscles and you’ll find that you have more time than you think.

7. Splurge a little bit: When you’re spending so much time and effort to be healthy, what’s the point when you can’t let loose every once in awhile? No need to feel guilty for reaching for that extra ice cream scoop or mocha brownie cheesecake slice on special occasions- Enjoy it and everything life has to offer!