New Year's Resolutions

Lately, every time I head to the gym I am faced with crowded parking lots, not one available treadmill, and crowds in front of the mirrors staring at newly forming muscles. Now, on the one hand, I am proud of all the newbies coming into the gym ready to tackle a new year with force. On the other hand, I miss the treadmill with enough empty ones on either side of me so as not to feel crowded. I don't want to have to fight for a locker. Or worse, I don't want to have to stand around, all sweaty, waiting for a shower. The good and bad news is, it won't be this way for long.
Only 12% of people keep their new year's resolutions! Isn't that crazy? Here is the problem. Most people, especially women, make big, vague goals. Take my "resolution" that I jokingly made: "I want to be better at everything, and just be awesome." Ok, this evoked some chuckles from my sisters-in law, but in reality this is an excellent example of a terrible resolution. Most women will say, I want to lose weight. Ok, that is great in theory, but you have to identify how much weight, by what date, and using what methods? For example: I want to lose ten pounds by February 20. I want to lose 1-2 pounds per week. I plan on doing this by cutting back on my caloric intake and adding a regimen of cardiovascular exercise and weight training. I plan to exercise 4-5 days a week. This method of goal setting is more effective because it allows one to examine their behavior daily to see if it is meeting the goal. It is also important to work a reward into the goal if it is met. So treat yourself to a new outfit, or a pedicure if you meet your goal!
So, how about this year, we try to prove the statistic wrong and meet our goals? And I will try to revamp my own resolution into something a little more manageable. :)