As the new year rolls in with party treats and high-calorie snacks, people will be ringing in midnight making promises of less stress, more family time and the ever-elusive, weight-loss plan.

The top two New Year’s resolutions for 2015 were “stay fit and healthy” (a goal for 37 percent surveyed) and “lose weight” (32 percent), according to a Nielsen survey.

After the start of January, health seekers will sign contracts and track down tennis shoes in hopes of reaching their goals before their drive fizzles out.

Fitness experts have some advice for those hoping to better themselves in the upcoming year.

“First, ‘resolutioners’ do not quantify their goals,” Andrea Ivins, Zumba instructor and manager of Anytime Fitness in Palestine, Texas. “They set a resolution to ‘lose weight’ or ‘run more’ or ‘eat healthier’ instead of quantifying the statement with ‘I will try to lose two pounds a week until I reach 20 pounds,’ or ‘I will set a goal to run a total of 80 minutes a week’ or ‘I will eat one serving of fruit with every meal.’ It is important to use this method to adhere to your wellness path.”

Cindy Piersol, CEO of the Palestine, Texas YMCA, said that another mistake many people make in their resolutions is attempting their goals alone instead of involving their family. Piersol said children enjoy being a part of a goal and could be an encouragement to their parents in their wellness journey.

Another way to avoid failing at reaching a health goal is to utilize the options available in their areas. Gyms that are open 24 hours offer no excuses for finding time to get in a workout.

“Having a personal trainer or being in an atmosphere where someone can find peers who can relate to the same health goals would be the ultimate solution to making sure that all the regular mistakes do not happen,” Snap Fitness manager and personal trainer David Burnett said.

What may be the biggest tip to keeping a New Year’s resolution is to tell as many people as possible. Keeping it secret makes it easier to go back on your word.

“If you don’t tell anyone, you are the only person that knows you didn’t make it,” Sarah Robb O’Hagan, president of Equinox, told Fortune magazine. “On the days you don’t want to get up to go to the gym – say so publicly on social media. There are always people that will encourage you.”

Hoar writes The Palestine (Texas) Herald