Editor’s note: This is part one of a six-part series on New Year’s resolutions. Tomorrow we’ll look at reordering your finances.

2012 is the year you get up off the couch. You’ll use that gym membership more than once, you swear. You’ll make time to eat healthy and to exercise. But where do you start?

Dayton Preston, health and wellness coordinator for Columbus Regional, offers tips for sticking to your New Year’s resolution to be fit and healthy.

Put health first: Work toward feeling better and finding better health goals, rather than just dropping a dress or pants size. If you focus only on numbers on the scale, Preston said, you could reach your goal weight but be unsatisfied with how you look.

Focus on everyday achievements, not a weight-loss goal: If you focus on doing something healthy every day, you’ll feel more successful than if you just focus on meeting a weight goal. “If you set for a certain number, you’re not going to feel 100 percent accomplished,” Preston said.

Start slow: If you’re trying to begin multiple healthy habits -- like revamping your diet and starting an exercise program -- start with one at a time. Don’t introduce your body to two or three new things at once, Preston said.

Redefine exercise as physical movement: Find lots of different ways to be active. Set up an obstacle course in the yard with your kids. Play a Wii fitness game. There are even ways of turning cleaning the house into exercise. “Experiment with a variety of activities,” Preston said.

Allow yourself treats: Preston said people stop their healthy habits for two reasons: No. 1 They say it’s not working, or No. 2 It’s too much work. You should enjoy your personal health habits, not feel like you are depriving yourself all the time. Allow cheat foods in your diet, but control how often you eat them.

Make time for meals and exercise: Saying you don’t have enough time to exercise or eat healthy is not a good excuse, Preston said -- it’s not an issue of time, but an issue of priority. Be selfish and make your health a priority in your life. You can set aside time you would use to watch TV or go online and replace it with exercise.

Sara Pauff, 706-320-4469