We mean well. We make New Year’s Resolutions that we have every intention of keeping, but rarely ever do. Whether it’s going on a diet, starting an exercise program, or quitting smoking — three of the Top Ten resolutions made each year — all our promises to ourselves seem to have something to do with our health, fitness and looks. So why is it those of us who wouldn’t dream of breaking our word to another person find it perfectly acceptable to break the promises we make to ourselves?

This year, change your game plan. A new you — slimmer, stronger, more physically and mentally fit, even younger looking — is distinctly possible. You may just need to change the way you go about getting to your goal. Here are some suggestions to try that not only work, but you may actually enjoy seeing them through.

YOUR NEW LOOK

TIP: Try a hot new filler

Feeling a little less cherub-faced than you used to? Are the inevitable effects of gravity taking a toll on your twinkle? These days, using injectables like Botox, Restylane, Perlane and Juvederm are almost as common as getting an eyebrow wax. But now there’s a brand-new alternative on the market: It’s called Xeomin and, like its predecessors Botox and Dysport, it’s used for banishing those pesky furrow lines from foreheads (just because you’re a thinker doesn’t mean you want everyone to know it by looking at you). Delray Beach plastic surgeon Dr. Jacob Steiger is one of the first physicians in South Florida to use it. “The product is very similar to Botox and Dysport; however, it has the potential to work better for some patients,” he says. The new product is different from Dysport and Botox because it contains no additives and doesn’t require refrigeration before use.

TIP: Get a free consultation

OK, so maybe the fillers have already been explored and engaged, and you need a boost in a place where fillers aren’t the solution. The idea of cosmetic surgery can be a little unnerving, but also exciting. If you’re not sure where to begin, Cosmeplast may be your answer. Having been in practice for more than 30 years, board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Eugene Strasser has perfected the art of facial and body procedures, individualizing each one to the individual patient’s needs. So if you’ve always wanted to explore the possibility of a new you (or at least a few newly sculpted parts), give Cosmeplast a call and schedule a visit.

TIP: Step up your beauty routine

There is a range of products out there today for every budget, skin type and lifestyle, and now there are even products that claim not only to prevent but actually to reverse signs of aging. It can be downright confusing to try to figure out what to use — not to mention expensive, especially if you select the wrong or ineffective formulations. So get thee to an expert who can properly advise you what will work best for you. Tammy Fender has built a devoted following who live for her custom-blended formulations. Her stance on beauty and wellness is rooted in the traditions of holistic medicine, and she draws on pure, high-vibrational and balanced ingredients to develop her skin-care products. Everything necessary for a complete skin-care regimen, from cleansers to correcting treatments to moisturizers to serums and oils, is available at her Palm Beach spa and online at www.tammyfender.com.

TIP: Make a lifestyle overhaul

It may sound simplistic to say so, but “lifestyle” is the broad term for how we set the tone for our overall physical and mental health, and JothiVita Ayurvedic Spa & Wellbeing Center is the first lifestyle management center of its kind in Hollywood. “Jothi in Sanskrit means ‘light’ in the east, and vita means ‘life’ in the west, so the idea is to marry east and west, says Luz Pellegrino, founder of JothiVita. By doing that, we’re lighting the path to wellness.

Ayurveda originated in India and is based on the premise that through proper diet, herbal supplements, exercise and spiritual practices, a person can maintain optimal general health. But JothiVita also addresses specific problems, such as obesity. “We don’t promote a weight-loss program per se — we believe anyone who is healthy and who has a balance will get to his or her perfect weight,” Pellegrino says. “We go to the root and customize your diet according to your body constitution. Within a month or two, you may see that you’re losing weight, but the ultimate goal is to make you feel good and feel happy.

Classes are available to anyone interested in learning what Ayurveda is about, along with workshops and even weekend retreats where the teachings are more in-depth and attendees learn to incorporate and adjust the principles of Ayurveda into their routine.

TIP: Put yourself on ‘the list’

Maybe Canyon Ranch Living came into your consciousness when you saw the celebrities who spend time at the Arizona sanctuary raving about it on Oprah. But that was back before there was a location just a stone’s throw away, in South Beach. Now you, too, can take a respite from your mile-a-minute daily routine and indulge in the luxe treatments performed in Canyon Ranch’s 70,000-square-foot spa, gourmet spa cuisine (including vegan and gluten-free choices), and if you’re up for a little stay-cation, a comfy suite in a beachfront guestroom. Sound like a special treat? Well, it is. And there’s no reason why a New Year’s resolution has to translate as self-denial. After all, you give all you’ve got to work, family and loved ones all year; why not do something for yourself as a reward? You deserve it — and you’ll be a better person for it.

 YOUR NEW BODY

TIP: Get support

Donna Goldstein knows what it’s like to struggle with weight. At 5’2”, she hit a top weight of 195 lbs. and developed joint problems that made her realize it was time to do something. At the recommendation of her doctor, she joined the Take Shape for Life program, and lost 70 lbs. in seven months. “I’ve maintained my ideal weight for three and a half years now,” she says.

In fact, Goldstein believed so strongly in the power of the program that she is now a Take Shape for Life Health Coach and National Director. The program, developed at Johns Hopkins University Hospital, allows six meals a day so blood sugars remain stable. The support system is a key element in the success of those who follow the plan. So if your past yearly resolution list has included losing weight, and you’ve been trying to do it solo, now’s the time to check out what Goldstein, who has a doctorate in Adult Education and Human Resource Development, already knows firsthand: support makes all the difference.

This is true for both your diet and your exercise plan. But maybe you don’t have anyone you can call a workout buddy, and the idea of sweating and jiggling in a gym full of he-men doesn’t appeal to you. Joyce Chew, owner of J&R Fitness in Boca Raton, gets it. “There are two reasons people don’t lose weight,” she says. “One is a lack of accountability, and two is, [they make] excuses. Most people make their resolutions with good intentions, but they’re not held accountable to anyone except themselves.” At Get in Shape for Women, you make a commitment to someone other than yourself, and with this partnership comes accountability. “Women share a lot of the same health and nutritional issues,” Chew explains. “They are generally the ones who control the eating habits of the household. What better way to share ideas, implement healthy eating habits, and have the support of other women than to participate in a program surrounded by your peers?” The GISFW women-only studios are small and upscale, provide group camaraderie, certified training in strength and cardio, nutritional counseling and, Chew says, “a heavy dose of accountability.”

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