With holiday dinners and parties behind us and resolutions still fresh, it’s time to make some changes. How do you ensure that your health and fitness resolutions will live to see February? Some local experts are ready to help.

Perhaps at the top of their list — simply don’t bite off more than you can chew.

 “Don’t get overwhelmed and think that you have to reassess everything in your life,” Penelope Klatell, a nutritional health counselor, said. “Instead, work toward changing one thing at a time.”

“Many people make the mistake post-holiday of becoming too restrictive with their eating by adopting one of the many fad diets that typically eliminate a particular food or even an entire food group,” Suzanne Vita Ponticello, Trainer and Nutrition Coach at Carozza Fitness, said.  “[This] often leads people to give up before they can even see results.”

Michael Carozza, owner of Carozza Fitness, also sees this in clients looking to get fit fast.  He encourages people to sit down with a professional—be it a doctor, nutritionist, or trainer — and map out a plan that includes goals for a six week, three month, one year, and even two year plan.

“Along the way there will be some setbacks,” Carozza said. “If they can set a short-term goal and succeed, they’ll be more likely to stay with it.”

Instead of turning to the latest fad diet or starting on a plan that just isn’t sustainable in the long run, go for a simple plan that will be good for your general health and help you shed some holiday weight.

“The desire to quickly shed unwanted pounds can sometimes bring on some “not-so-healthy” behaviors this time of year. Fad diets, unsafe diet supplements, and deprivation are just a few methods people try for a “quick fix.” Jamie Lee McIntyre, Grade A ShopRite Dietitian said. “The reality is there is no magic bullet when it comes to weight loss.”

“A more practical method of cleaning out the diet [is] simply sticking to whole foods and by making it a goal to include a fresh fruit and/or a vegetable at every single meal and snack,” Ponticello said.

Ponticello recommends setting the goal to drink half of your body weight in ounces of water each day. Increased alcohol and caffeine consumption during the holiday season can leave revelers dehydrated. If you’re still formulating your resolutions, Ponticello has a great suggestion.

“ I think the New Year is an ideal time for anyone to start a food journal to track their eating habits and any progress they might make,” Ponticello said. “It's simple, costs nothing, and acts as both an educational and motivational tool that can help you stay on course.”

McIntyre suggests making family meals a priority in the new year—a way that can encourage family members to make healthier choices and also spend that quality time at the table. She also encourages people to find ways to exercise with a group—be it a family member, friends, or a group class at the gym — as a way of staying accountable and making it a little more fun.

“Consistency is one of the biggest things,” Carozza said. “After that goal is in place be consistent about it, that’s with fitness and with diet.”

Attitude really is everything and whether you’re setting goals in January or in June, it pays to go all in and to do it for the right reasons.

“Just making a resolution because it’s the New Year — especially if it’s a resolution made on a whim or with an I “kinda,” “sorta” want to do this attitude — won’t keep you motivated to attain your goal,“ Klatell said. ““Kinda,” “sorta” goals give you “kinda,” “sorta” results. Realistic, achievable goals produce realistic results.”