People often think they need to start the year off right — but why not end the year with a bang?

As the holiday months approach, many people become lax on their exercising and diet routine. Don’t ruin all your hard work by saying, “I’ll start again in January.” Keep at it!

The more you avoid working out, the harder it will be to get back into a routine. Waiting until the new year will just give you an excuse to procrastinate and maybe even give up on your goals.

Get ahead of it by continuing your existing exercise routine. When the first of the year comes around, you’ll be that much closer to your goals.

It takes about 21 days to start a new habit, so why not start now?

Balance is key during the holiday season. Being too strict with your exercise and healthy eating can create added stress. You can still exercise, enjoy time with friends and family, and enjoy that cookie or piece of pie, but keep track of your portions.

Set reasonable goals. Many people have trouble sticking to their resolutions because they hold themselves to very high standards. They don’t consider the time they need to work on them.

Make exercise fun with friends and family. For example, you can go mall walking or window shopping in a cute downtown area. If you are walking in the mall, take the stairs instead of the elevator or escalator. Be creative with staying active. This can help you stick to a routine while enjoying time with friends and family.

End the year with a bang! By implementing this "resolution mentality" into your life right now, you will create the space and regimen you need to stick to the resolutions you put in place for yourself this year.

Don’t focus on making the next year great, focus on making the end of this year the best it can be.

Start today! Drive your health forward at Edward-Elmhurst Health & Fitness.

Learn more from Healthy Driven Chicago:

Six ways exercise benefits your heart

Five tips to start a fitness routine

Seven tips to improve your fitness