The dawn of a new year seems the perfect time to dream new dreams, set new goals, and create a new life. Typically, fitness and health rank high on the resolutions list, but both are often forgotten soon after “Auld Lang Syne” is sung. In spite of our best intentions, many of us fail to realize our fitness goals.

Has your plan to be fit, healthy, and happy been derailed in the past? Your mantra can be “Yes! I can!” This year, refuse to settle for mediocrity. You can control your fitness destiny with these surefire ways to make it happen.

Take Inventory

Before you begin your fitness quest, be sure to take a personal inventory. Write a winning plan that includes your values, goals, and motivations. “When you take a paper and pen and write down your goals, you activate the laws of expectation, attraction, and correspondence,” says Brian Tracy, author of Change Your Thinking, Change Your Life. By writing a winning plan and setting realistic goals, you consciously position yourself for success.

Eat the Elephant One Bite at a Time

Take small, manageable steps to reach your goals. Many people fail to realize their objectives because their goals exceed their reach. For example, Linda expected to lose 60 pounds in six weeks, but that soon proved to be unrealistic, not to mention downright dangerous. Personal trainer Sabrina Collins, who’s certified by the American Aerobic Association International, American Fitness Professionals & Associates, and Pilates Physicalmind Institute and is the owner of Core Strength in Philadelphia, suggests aiming for a realistic weight loss of a half-pound to one pound a week.

Give Back with Fitness

The New Year is the time to get in shape, as well as to get involved with your favorite health charity. Helping others will help you, too. Go ahead, sign up for the 3K walk or the 5K run. Here are a few causes to get you started: www.komen.org, www.aidswalk.org, www.diabetes.org, www.avonwalk.org, and www.walkamerica.org.

Avoid Toxic People

Surround yourself with positive folks, friends and family who support your new lifestyle. Ignore or avoid toxic people and anyone who may attempt to sabotage your efforts.

Choose Food Wisely

Go on a kitchen “search and destroy mission.” Throw out all foods that won’t help you, such as chips and soda pop. Instead, stock up on healthy alternatives: whole grains, fresh produce, and lean proteins. As often as you can, buy locally grown fruits and vegetables because they retain more nutritional value than foods that are shipped across the country or around the world.

Make Fitness Your #1 Daily Priority

Schedule your gym time the same way you would schedule an important meeting. After 5 p.m. leave the office behind. “What good is all your money if you don’t have your health?” asks Jack LaLanne, father of American fitness and author of Celebrating 90 Plus Years of Healthy Living. Make the gym your personal sanctuary for renewal, stress reduction, and relaxation. Burn calories with cardio and pump your muscles with weights.

Put Your Heart into It

Cardio is the superpower for strengthening the heart, improving cholesterol numbers, and burning fat. While working out with a heart-rate monitor and aiming for your target heart zone are optimal, the latest recommendation from the Surgeon General of the United States, Richard H. Carmona, MD, MPH, emphasizes exercising for a minimum of 30 minutes daily (60 minutes for children). In addition to aerobics classes, make the time to try the treadmill, the stationary bike, and the popular elliptical trainer.

Pump, Pump, Pump It Up!

“Get some iron in your life three to four times a week,” says master personal trainer Jim Hart, who’s certified by the American Council on Exercise and is one of the ten best trainers in America, according to Men’s Journal. Strength training decreases fat and increases your lean tissue and metabolic rate. Muscles give your body shape; using dumbbells, barbells, and weight machines regularly sculpts your body while making you stronger.

Add Flexibility and Balance

Many people neglect flexibility and balance, but these components remain essential to your overall health and fitness. As we age, we tend to lose flexibility and balance. To avoid this, incorporate some Pilates and yoga into your exercise routine at least two to three times a week.

Expect Success

With few exceptions, life is a self-fulfilling prophecy. Success is a sure thing when you expect it. In her book Creative Visualization, Shakti Gawain gives advice on achieving the life and health you want by putting your imagination to work.

Reward and Celebrate

As you accomplish your goals, both big and small, applaud and celebrate your achievements with a new fitness outfit; a matinee (skip the popcorn); a manicure or pedicure; a massage or facial; a vacation or a weekend getaway.

This year, jump into action with these steps, and before long you’ll find that you’re leaner, stronger, and hooked on fitness. Happy new you!