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New year, new me: The psychology behind new year's resolutions

For many people, the beginning of a new year can simply provide an opportunity for a fresh start. Experts will tell you there can actually be power in those goals.

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — You've no doubt heard the phrase: "new year, new me".

In reality, it's just another day, however that tradition helps map out these big new goals for ourselves.

Many are prone to turn to January for new beginnings.

Psychologists will tell you there can actually be power in planning those resolutions with the start of a new year.

In some cases January provides that opportunity to hit the re-set button.

For many people, the beginning of a new year can simply provide an opportunity for a fresh start, whether that's breaking habits like smoking or drinking, or even becoming more financially responsible.

At Bodies by Adam off Saratoga, gym owner Adam Young said January is one of the busiest times of year for new fitness goals.

"You are typically looking at weight loss, some people, it's getting their blood sugar down, getting off certain medications," he said.

Young said those resolutions can help launch your path forward, but to find success, that's 100-percent a year round effort.

"Resolutions and goals are basically the same thing.  They take the same skill set which is discipline and consistency, constantly doing small things over a longer period of time," he said.

He warned if someone sets the bar too high, it could end up weighing on you.

So stay realistic in the time frame it will take to check off that progress.

"Someone want's to lose 80 pounds and think they can do it in 2-3 months, it's not going to happen.  It's a marathon, not a sprint," he said.

The key—short term goals.

"It's kind of like football you want to move two, three, five yards at a time, you are not going to hit the 'hail Mary' every single time," he said.

Nora Maza is a professional counselor and assistant clinical professor at Seattle University. She said a new year offers hope, that things can be different.

"Sometimes we create new year's resolutions because we feel a little stagnant in our life, we've had maybe a year of doing the same thing day in and day out, just need some type of change to make us feel invigorated, we change our diets, start working out, travel a little more, say yes to things," she said.

If you find yourself with the same goal as last year, take a look back at why it didn't work the first time around.

"I think it's good to reflect on some of the failures you did have, and think about okay what went wrong?," Maza said.

She adds that having a strong support system matters.

"You have a lot of people around you making similar changes," she said. "It's important to surround yourself around people who have similar goals as you and are trying to do the same things you are."

It's not easy, so be patient, and kind to yourself.

"We don't have to wait until the next year to jump right back into that goal, we can do it the next day," Maza said.

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