January has come and gone! How crazy is that? So far, we have given you 8 tips to help you keep your 2014 New Year’s Resolutions. I hope you all are still working hard at developing a healthy lifestyle, and have hung in there even when it got hard. You are probably feeling more comfortable after hitting that three-week mark, along with seeing small changes in your body, health, and even your mind! Way to go!

So we learned that maybe it’s not so easy to start a new habit! But now that we have developed these new, healthy habits, how are we supposed to keep it going? This week we are sharing tips about maintaining your resolutions so that you don’t lose your month of hard work!

Tip #9: Don’t lose sight of your end-goal

In the beginning of this journey we talked a lot about how visualizing your goal is beneficial. As the year goes on and you continue to see more results or consistently meet your goals, it can become very easy to slack off. Before you know it, you’re right back where you started!

To help yourself stay on track, make sure you continue to visualize and keep your end-goal in mind. I know that for myself, it is very easy to get discouraged about school or to not try as hard when I don’t keep my end-goal (graduation, a dietetic internship, and becoming a Registered Dietitian) in mind. The same is true of your New Year’s Resolutions.

This is my “motivation board.” I keep quotes, pictures, and goals on it to see when I’m working at my desk.

In week one of this series we asked you to make measurable or quantifiable goals—this is where that comes into play. Make sure to continue regularly measuring or counting to see how your goals are being met.

And our last tip on how to keep your New Year’s Resolutions…

Tip # 10: Have fun!

This lifestyle can be extremely rewarding, in so many areas! It doesn’t have to be all gym, chicken, and vegetables all the time.

Take your kids to the park and play, or run around the house with them instead of going to the gym. Have fun creating new, healthy recipes in the kitchen—there are endless possibilities (especially with the help of Pinterest!) You can set aside one night a week for a new recipe and give it a theme like “Fiesta,” where you create healthy Mexican dishes. Make holidays a chance to try out a healthy twist on a classic dish and enjoy the satisfaction of creating food that is good for people, that they still enjoy!

This weekend I took some time to make a fun little snack that will be featured in our February Newsletter! Here’s a sneak-peek, and a reminder of how to have fun in the kitchen.

But most of all, enjoy life and the people in it. According to CNN, Americans make up over HALF of the richest 1% of the population. The Center For Disease Control also states that over 85% of Americans over age 18 report themselves to be in good health. We are so blessed to live the lives we do.

A healthy life is a happy life, and you are now well-equipped to maintain your healthy life!