This year, like every other year, I made a list of New Year's Resolutions and planned on actually following through with them this time. What made this year different? I'm not quite sure...but here are a few of the ways that I have made getting healthy a priority...and actually stuck to it.

1. Make it a priority.

I know this can be easier said than done, but go into it with an open mind and ready to commit. I knew this was the year I wanted to be healthy, so I joined Weight Watchers on New Years Day! I've been going ever since because I like the way I've felt so far, and it gives me an incentive to keep up the good work.

2. Speaking of incentives...

Give yourself an incentive to keep working out and eating right. It can be something as simple as "If I work out every day I can have pizza on the weekends," or something like I did, "For every ten pounds I lose I'll buy myself a new outfit." For me, this is a great way to keep myself motivated and to keep striving toward my goal.

3. Motivate yourself.

One great way to stay motivated is to not go on this journey alone. One way of doing this is to have a friend you always go to the gym with, that way you keep yourself accountable and you'll stick to your workout plan. Another idea might be to tape a picture to your dresser or your mirror, that way every day when you wake up you give yourself a reminder of what you are working hard for.

4. Work out.

Before 2016, I had not gone to the gym on a regular basis since high school. I hated running and weightlifting, and I also thought the gym was super intimidating! After a few trips to the gym with a friend, I realized our school gym isn't that bad, and it can actually be a great way to see friends you might not normally see! I also downloaded the "Couch to 5k app" (http://www.c25k.com/), a simple iPhone app that helps train you from not running at all, to running a 5k with confidence. I started off not being able to run much at all, and today I ran 2 miles without stopping! I was so proud of myself and felt so good about doing it. Other fitness ideas might include doing Pure Barre (http://purebarre.com/), SoulCycle (https://www.soul-cycle.com/), Zumba, or other fun workout classes! You would be surprised to see what your school might offer, or what studios are in your area.

5. Be conscious of what you put in your body.

We all know fad diets, don't usually work, and if they do, they usually aren't healthy or don't last. Learn to buy healthy groceries, that way you won't be tempted to eat something processed or yucky when you get home after a bad day (and then feel guilty about it later). It's still okay to have cheese, chocolate chip cookies or ice cream, just recognize that it is better to do it in moderation. Also, if you just reduce how much is in your diet rather than completely cut it out, you will be much less likely to crave large amounts of it. One thing that has really helped me with this is joining Weight Watchers (http://www.weightwatchers.com/). This has helped me by teaching me to start counting my calories in healthy ways, and to use my "points" to pick and choose what I will eat throughout the day. Another thing I have learned is to ask myself what is more important, for example, would I rather have a drink from Starbucks which would take up a ton of my points, or do I have a smoothie which would only be a few points? Like I said, Starbucks is still totally okay, but I have learned that once or twice a week is enough now.

Being healthy or getting healthy is doable for anyone, you just have to set your mind to it! I went into 2016 thinking "New Year, New Me," and for the first time, I actually followed through with my goals. With a little hard work, determination, support from family and friends, and yummy fruits and vegetables, you can do it too!