OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) – A new year can mean new health and fitness goals.

According to health experts, moving your body can help protect you from certain illnesses.

“Diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, some joint pain like osteoarthritis, even mental health issues,” said Dr. Nichelle Horton-Brown of Endeveren Family Medicine.

A 2023 study by Forbes surveyed 1,000 adults on their attitude toward New Year’s resolutions. Nearly 50% wanted to improve their fitness, 34% wanted to lose weight and 32% wanted a better diet.

However, most of them would quit their goals around four months in.

“People go in with expectations of ‘I’m going to do this for a little while’ and honestly it takes time and it takes being consistent,” said Dr. Horton-Brown.

Fitness experts said to stay consistent you should ease your way into a new routine.

“What I see is when you kind of build your momentum, build your endurance up by coming two to three times a week that is a great starting point,” said Natalie Micale, instructor with Fly Fitness.

The same is said when it comes to creating a better diet.

“When we focus on one habit at a time, so like incorporating veggies, we’re focusing on one thing adding more veggies,” said nutritionist, Liz Jenkins. “We have an 80 percent success rate of sticking with that habit.”

Micale and Dr. Horton-Brown agree that accountability can also keep you on track, from finding friends to work out with to checking in with your doctor and staying the course.

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