During the celebrations and bustle of the holiday season, many people neglect their health and fitness plans and revert to unhealthy eating habits. While it's okay to treat yourself to something sweet every once in a while, consuming a lot of unhealthy foods over the holidays can lead to unwanted weight gain.

After relapsing on their diet and exercise plans during the holidays, many people tell themselves they'll be healthier in the New Year. In fact, losing weight and staying fit are among the most popular New Year's resolutions, but also among the most commonly broken. However, that doesn't mean accomplishing your health and fitness goals is seemingly impossible— it just means you may be going about it the wrong way. Read on for some valuable tips that will help you stick to your resolution and achieve the results you desire.

Set Tangible Short-Term Goals

Rather than saying you want to lose 50 pounds or drop five pants sizes, set tangible short-term goals. With a large goal, many people become dissatisfied and unmotivated when they don't accomplish it within the first few months. A large goal like losing 50 pounds isn't something that can be accomplished overnight, so set smaller goals that you can achieve more easily and use to monitor your progress. Make specific, weekly goals, such as doing a rigorous one hour workout three days this week.

Your daily exercise routine will depend on your fitness level, so if you're not used to working out, start small and work your way up to more challenging exercises. Aim to get 20 to 60 minutes of physical activity a day, but remember, something is better than nothing. If you have a busy day when you can't get to the gym, do a 10-minute workout at home. To ensure you stick to your weekly eating and exercise goal, plan your workouts and meals for the upcoming week over the weekend.

Sign Up For A Group Training Program

If you're someone who's not self-motivated, consider joining a group training program. Led by a certified fitness instructor, group training programs incorporate a variety of strength and interval training exercises and are available for people of all fitness levels. With a group session, you'll feel more motivated to push yourself and learn how to do the types of exercises that will get you into shape. In a group fitness class, other people of similar fitness levels will be working out with you, which will also help you stay motivated to keep moving. I recommend picking a gym that has a rewards program where you can track your check-ins and earn rewards through your gym for an extra push to attend the workout sessions and get closer to achieving your end goal.

Get a Workout Buddy

You probably have a friend or family member who is looking to change their eating and exercise habits as well. So, why not tackle the challenge of losing weight and getting fit together? Having a workout buddy will help you stay motivated and avoid skipping days at the gym and neglecting your dietary plans.

Change Your Diet

If you want to lose weight and get fit, you need to change your diet. While cutting out processed foods and extra fats and carbs can be difficult, controlling your portion sizes and balancing your palate will help make it easier. You may want to invest in a portion plate to make sure you are eating the right portions. It's recommended to fill half your plate with low-starch vegetables, one-fourth with a high-protein food, and one-fourth with grains or starchy vegetables and finish off the meal with fresh fruit for desert.

One of the most important dietary changes you need to make is to cut out processed foods and foods high in trans and saturated fat, sodium and sugar. Replace these unhealthy foods with fruits and vegetables, and aim to get eight to 12 servings of fruits and vegetables a day. Staying hydrated is also extremely important. Drink at least the recommended 64 ounces of water a day. If you need help drinking more water, purchase a refillable water bottle and drink and refill it accordingly, depending on how many ounces of water it holds.

Don't Give Up

While meeting your fitness goals can be challenging, don't give up. As previously described, setting small attainable goals are key to helping you stay motivated and accomplish your long-term goal. To remain motivated, pick a date on your calendar for when you want to achieve your short-term and long-term goals, and work towards them with rewards along the way. By combining simple preparation with commitment and motivation, you'll start to notice progress and gradually move closer to achieving your ultimate goal.