How to keep New Year's resolutions

WEST SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - There's still time to look ahead to the New Year and set some new goals for yourself.

According to the Journal of Clinical Psychology, 50% of Americans make resolutions every year. But let's face it, they're hard to keep.

"I've had resolutions but I never follow through with them. I think everyone is like that because we're too busy I guess", said James Estell of West Springfield.

"People usually quit or give-up because it usually doesn't happen right away, they don't understand it takes time", said Inna Plemedyale of North Carolina.

Experts say it's that lack of patience that causes our New Year's resolutions to fail. For example, many people expect instant results in the beginning; and when they don't end-up seeing the change right away, they get discouraged and tend to revert back to their old habits.

But Kimberly Jones of Springfield said she understood the mental and physical strength it would take to stick to her goal of running, which she set back in 2009. "It started as a New Year's Resolution four years ago and I've kind of just kept with it", said Jones. Her goal in 2013 is to run the Hartford Marathon.

Here are some tips from "Psychology Today" that can help you stay strong in the New Year when it comes to your resolution(s):

• Set realistic and specific goals.
• Take small steps each day.
• Focus on the present.
• Assign a friend that you can report to on your progress.
• Make sure to celebrate your successes--big or small--while you're working towards your milestone.

Also remember, don't let one small slip-up prevent you from what you want to accomplish in 2013. If you hit a wall, just keep on going.