Experts: How to Set a Good New Year's Resolution and Stick to it

DULUTH, Minn. - The clock is ticking to 2015 and it's likely most people haven't started to think about New Year’s resolutions. Losing weight, hitting the gym, and eating healthy are goals many throughout the Northland set. For a handful of Northlanders 2015 means thinking out of the box, and setting a different kind of goal. "Of course it's always the, I'm going to eat healthier, and I'm going back to the gym," said 27-year Duluth resident, Cathy Bergh. You've heard it before; the typical New Year’s resolution to transform your life into a healthier and happier one. "I've been feeling a lot better on the gluten free,” said 13 year old Jenna Meyer. “Every once in a while I kind of cheat so my goal for this year is not to cheat." For many not cheating and actually sticking with your resolution is the hardest part. As a life coach setting goals and helping people reach them is Pam Solberg-Tapper's job. She compares New Year’s resolutions to a marathon. "Running a mile will be a big accomplishment,” said the executive leadership coach. “Then doing a 5K is even a better accomplishment." Solberg-Tapper recommends setting short term goals as stepping stones, writing down your goal, and telling people about it. She says in the end your support system will hold you accountable for keeping those goals."When we tell other people we're much more successful in accomplishing the goal because other people are there to kind of help us along and cheer us along," said Solberg-Tapper. For those who don't set a New Year’s resolution with the fear of failure lingering in your mind, professionals say we’re much more successful each time we attempt to do it because of all the failures we've already gone through before. Solberg-Tapper says each time you fall is an opportunity to get back up and keep trucking forward even better than before. Experts say another good tip to stick with your resolution is to have a buddy do it with you so you can keep each other in check throughout the New Year."It's hard but I think everybody has a little something they can improve on," said Meyer.