Hello 2017! It’s a new year, and as usual the resolutions have begun. One of the most popular being a vow to stay healthy and fit. Gyms will undoubtedly stay packed throughout January, but the crowds usually being to thin out around March.

Why is it so hard to keep up a healthy routine?

Using the following tips, we can make sure to keep our 2017 healthy resolution!

Don’t try to quit cold turkey. The key to quitting a bad habit is to ween off of it gradually. Limit yourself from one soda a day to one every other day, then every two days, and so forth.

Make your goals realistic. Setting unrealistic goals will always lead to stress and a loss of motivation. Make your goals small and, again, gradually work your way into more difficult territory.

Reward yourself for sticking to it. Have a list of things you want to spoil yourself with, and place each one at a milestone. For example, “after I lose 5 pounds I will get my hair done”, or “if I can go a month without soda I’ll buy myself that new pair of shoes”.

Find the right spot for you. Personally, I don’t want to be surrounded by body-builders groaning and screaming while lifting hundreds of pounds while I struggle to walk for 30 minutes on the treadmill without getting winded. Ensuring your own comfort is another key to sticking to your goals.

Stay positive. Dreading the journey won’t help you stay motivated. Look towards every new day as an opportunity to challenge yourself and become stronger. You might surprise yourself, finding that healthy options can taste good and that your physical journey can have spiritual and emotional changes.

A saying you may have heard: slow and steady wins the race. While we're only human, and as such we crave instant gratification, the best things in life do not come to us immediately. Let's follow these motivation tips and keep our resolution for healthy living in 2017 and beyond.