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Only 50 percent of Americans make it past March before dropping their New Year's resolutions — and a mere 8 percent actually follow through with resolutions all year. If you've decided 2016 is the year you'll fi nally get healthy and lose weight, here's how you can fi nd success and celebrate a new you. 1. Involve your doctor. Realizing you need to lose weight is a good fi rst step, but it won't help you decide when you're going to the gym, what kind of exercise is appropriate for you or what your goals should be week by week. Consult your physician and start with small, achievable steps that build toward your target weight. 2. Set realistic diet goals. The transition from eating fast food every day to preparing fresh food for every meal can be jarring if you try to make it overnight. Start by picking at least one healthy meal a day to eat at home, practicing portion control and choosing healthier options when eating out. Make and refrigerate a healthy lunch the night before to help cut back on how much you eat out. 3. Create accountability. Make sure friends, loved ones and family members know you're trying to lose weight and make healthier eating choices. Find a friend or loved one with similar goals to accompany you to the gym. Accountability includes reminding yourself of your goals, as well — whether you set an automatic notifi cation on your electronic calendar or leave sticky notes on your mirror in the morning to make sure your goals are top of mind every day. 4. Work out in tens. Start by fi nding 10 minutes every day to devote to your resolution. Ten minutes of walking or calisthenics doesn't seem like a lot, but it can put you on the path to wellness and get you in the habit of exercise. Gradually add more 10-minute blocks of exercise to your day. 5. Don't beat yourself up. Everyone suffers setbacks, and it can be easy to get discouraged when results are not immediate or if life interferes and causes you to miss a workout or make a poor food choice. If you want your New Year's resolutions to last until 2017 and beyond, don't let one day of backsliding make you give up. Simply start again the next day with the same resolve you had on January 1. Ways to Stick•With Weight-loss Resolutions 5 Motivated to lose weight in the new•year? Take these steps now to make sure you don't get too discouraged. To find a doctor who can help you stay healthy throughout the year, visit christusstmichael.org/findaphysician or call (844) CHRISTUS (247-4788). Fellowship of Fitness If you're looking for new ways to stay active, instructor-led exercise offers many benefits, including a safe and efficient workout on a regular schedule. "Peer support is one of the most beneficial aspects of group exercise," says Mike Riley, manager of CHRISTUS St. Michael Health & Fitness Center. "There's a growing camaraderie and accountability among participants. They check in with each other to help ensure they keep coming back." The CHRISTUS St. Michael Health & Fitness Center offers group exercise classes Monday through Friday. So many options make it easier for members to get in their workout. "One thing I love about group exercise is that you don't have to worry about having a workout plan," Mike says. "You just show up, follow instructions and enjoy the class with fellow friends and participants." Consult your physician before beginning a new exercise program. To become a member of the CHRISTUS St. Michael Health & Fitness Center or to see which classes are available, visit stmichaelfitness.org or call (903) 614-4441. 10 christusstmichael.org