Caitlyn Spitz aimed high when setting her New Year's resolutions this year.
The nutritional science junior vowed to quit smoking and get in shape by eating better and working out.
Despite focusing on her smoking and eating habits, Spitz admitted her other ambitions have faded.
"I have yet to work out because the start of the semester is so busy," she said.
Several medical professionals said stories such as Spitz's are common, and they offered tips for others to keep their eye on the New Year's resolution prize.
"People usually set resolutions that are too restrictive and go to extremes," said Ronda Bokram, an Olin Health Center dietitian.
Frank McGeorge, emergency medicine specialist at Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak, Mich. said young people often don't recognize their poor lifestyle choices could be harmful later in life.
"There's no better time than now," McGeorge said. "Young people with bad habits turn into old people with health problems."
McGeorge said he often advises young people to have willpower when kicking bad habits, such as smoking.
"Big mistakes that young people often make are not enlisting the help of professionals," he said. "People will try to stop cold turkey and fail."
He said seeking the help of doctors, help lines, friends and family and avoiding negative influences like friends who smoke, will aid the process.
Jonathan Kermiet, coordinator of the physical fitness assessment program "Life: Rx," said people should exercise in ways they enjoy because they are more likely to find success in doing so.
He said designating a consistent time to exercise will help make the action a habit that is easier to maintain.
"Think about if you need (to work as) an individual, with a class, in a gym environment or with a partner," Kermiet said.
Spitz said she made plans with her roommate to work out, so they can motivate each other.
"I need to get skinny for bathing-suit season," she said.
Kermiet suggests keeping a food and exercise log to stay goal-oriented.
Besides documentation, Bokram advises people to focus on cues from the body about food intake.
"Eat when you're hungry; stop when you're full," she said.
