Taking a look around my gym this morning, I wonder how many of these people I will see past Valentine’s Day?

There are so many enthusiastic people raging into the gym early in the New Year but by Valentine’s Day, they are usually gone? There’s always the inevitable resolution talk that happens in and around the Christmas season and people feel the peer pressure to out do each other.

For many people it is a matter of addressing the guilt of over indulging during the holidays. Many sources note the average weight gain is six to ten pounds during this time of year and clothes start to feel a little snug. Hence, a New Year’s resolution seems like a fresh start and people feel good about joining a gym because it’s a step in the right direction. However, people tend to lose motivation or quit because they set unattainable goals or they don’t see immediate results.

So what does it take for successful New Year’s fat loss resolution?

It starts with small victories instead of conquering the war. You can’t go from 0-60mph in a car without hitting each interval along the way? Point A to Point Z? Get the idea? Breaking down the long-term goals into smaller more manageable chunks is an important strategy. For example, instead of deciding to exercise every day, you might begin with only three days a week. Reward yourself when you achieve one of your short-term goals. By achieving these smaller goals, this will lead to a sense of accomplishment that motivates you towards your long-term fat loss adventure.

For more information about staying active, check out Jon Benson’s and Tom Venuto’s Fit Over 40. Benson describes his personal struggles with weight loss and the setbacks he endured during his quest for optimal fat loss.