Setting great resolutions is a wonderful first start to building better health. However, having healthy habits in place at the end of your resolution test drive is really a better choice. Rather than being disappointed in failed resolutions, strive to create habits that make good health the number one option.

Make Exercise an Easy Choice

Start each day with exercise. This may mean putting your workout clothes in the bathroom so you have to stumble over them first thing. You might even fold them up and set them on the toilet seat so you have to handle them while you’re still half asleep. Tog up and get moving before you can even think about it.

If it’s terribly cold where you live, consider investing in a treadmill or a seated recumbent bike tool. For those who like to watch a little television at night, go ahead, but spend the commercial breaks pedaling or walking rather than heading for the refrigerator.

Habit experts say that to create good choices, you need to keep them close. If you really want to practice your guitar more often, or write in your journal every day, or be sure to meditate before bed, set up your life so these choices are close at hand. Keep your journal on your bedside table instead of your phone. Keep your favorite scented candles on display so you can meditate after you light one. Keep your guitar within ten steps of the couch.

As your exercise habit starts to take root, you may find that you need a bit of a boost on Thursday and Friday morning to get up and move. Make sure that you rest sore muscle groups, do something fun on the “tired” days, treat yourself to something non-caloric

Celebrate a regular week of working out with a bit of fun. If you want to learn to rock-climb, buy some gear. If you love to decorate your home, get pillows. Tie the fun and exhilaration of exercise with something you’ve always wanted.

Focus on Great Food

Eat well before you shop. If possible, eat a meal you’re really proud of. Make it healthy, thrifty and filling. While at the store, you’ll be happy and proud of your food choices and want to make some more.

Look into a personalized diet and exercise program. Plan ahead for simple things, such as fresh veggies, whole-grain crackers, and other good choices in single-serving, grab and go packages.

Take care to pay special attention to your work schedule and your energy level. Going home and hoping to make a good food choice when you’re starving and exhausted is simply unfair, so if you can set up your food decisions for the week on the weekend when you have a bit more time, you will reduce your risk of a dietary crash and burn.

Increase Your Water Intake

Boost your water intake per your current body weight. If nothing else, try to get your water intake up to at least 90 ounces for women and 125 ounces for men. Water is good for your gut, your joints, and your cleansing organs, including your kidneys and your liver.

Invest in a water filtering tool and either keep it on your kitchen counter or in your refrigerator. Additionally, treat yourself to a stainless steel reusable water bottle that you can fill up each evening and either carry as you exercise or take with you to work. If it’s 15 ounces, you need to drink six of these for a female and at least eight of these for a male.

Carefully monitor your other liquid intake. Caffeinated beverages act as a diuretic and will dry you out over time; you will need to take in half again as much coffee or tea to get the same benefit. If possible, stop taking in caffeine at noon so you can fully hydrate all afternoon and evening. Not only will this keep your skin and tissues in better shape, it will help you to sleep more deeply at the end of your day.

The year 2020 has made it very hard to focus on what’s best for us. Uncertain and anxiety drive us to behaviors and foods that comfort us, rather than pushing us to do and be better. As we come out of this challenging year, a focus on wellness will be more possible.