By Greg Rothman, M.S. P.T.

Every year around this time, the most common thing I hear in my fitness studio and from my friends and family is something along the lines of: “This year I’m going to stick to my New Year’s resolutions?” That’s not a typo. What begins in people’s minds as an enthusiastic declaration frequently ends up with a question mark.

The reasons for this are many.

First, because so many of you have tried diet after diet, joined gyms and started exercise programs that ultimately failed to yield results, you simply believe that giving it your best shot is not enough, and that no matter what program you adopt or gym you join, working out just won’t work for you. You believe that other people have it easier, that you were born with a slow metabolism, etc.

With these thoughts running through your mind, it’s nearly impossible for you to make positive changes. If you think you won’t stick to your New Year’s resolutions, you are right. And if you think you will stick with them, you are right again.

In a country in which there are now more fitness “solutions” than ever (useless “ab lounges” on infomercials, pills that purport to “melt” body fat, fad diets that destroy the metabolism), we have an obesity epidemic that seems to know no bounds. The disconnect here is that people have been attempting to make positive physical changes with flawed technology and game plans.

As someone who has helped hundreds of people make dramatic changes in the way they look and feel, I can tell you what it takes to speed metabolism and build a stronger, leaner body (what most people want). In the New Year, I will be outlining these strategies, because they work every time.

Following a program that uses the synergy of healthful, supportive nutrition, the right types of strength-training exercises to maintain lean muscle tissue, and moderate cardiovascular exercise, you can at last get the results you’re looking for. It is easy? No, it requires some focus and energy. But it is simple.

The final thing people need if they want to stick to their resolutions this year is follow-through. If you combine a belief that you will succeed with a fitness program that will ensure it, follow-through will help you bring about the positive physical change you desire.

All you need to ask yourself is what direction you want your body to take in the coming year. Close your eyes and create a vision of how you will look six months from now if you do nothing differently, if you stay on the course you are now on. How will you feel? What will people say to you? How about a year from now? Five years?

Now, what will be different in six months if you effect some positive physical changes, and begin to eat and exercise in a way that supports your goals? Close your eyes and create that vision. How will you look? How will you feel? What will people say to you? Take it further into the future. A year from now. Five years.

In my first four columns in the New Year, I’m going to lay out the strategies that you need to succeed, along with the technology that works. In subsequent columns, I will offer programs specific to the time of year, nutrition plans to suit your goals and other ways to help make your resolutions stick.

All you have to do is de-cide (the Latin root of that word means to “cut off”). When you make a decision, you cut off all other possibilities. Make a decision that you WILL stick to your New Year’s resolutions this year, that you will move in the direction of your goals, your dreams. All you need is the belief that you will succeed, a program that works to ensure it and the will to follow through.

Best wishes for a year filled with happiness, health and fitness. Happy New Year!

Greg Rothman, M.S. P.T., is the owner of emPower Fitness Studios (emPowerFitnessNYC.com). He received his masters degree in physical therapy from Columbia University and has 15 years’ experience in the rehabilitation and fitness fields, most recently as the personal training manager and top-level trainer for Equinox Fitness Clubs in New York City. SEND YOUR QUESTIONS about nutrition, fitness and sports injuries/rehabilitation to Greg at emPowerFitness@aol.com.