It's that time of year again when we create lofty goals for ourselves that are virtually impossible to meet. Avoid the self-recrimination that you'll undoubtedly feel in a few months, and resolve just to do the best you can. Whether your goal is health-oriented, altruistic or family-oriented, you'll feel better about yourself if you make it realistic and reachable. Most people choose this time of year to embark on a drastic diet or exercise program that's just not in tune with their lifestyle and is doomed to fail from the start. Instead of resolving to exercise every single day, try resolving to fit in one more workout per week. If you want to eat better, don't deprive yourself of every treat you love right off the bat. Replace one unhealthy food, like chips, with a healthier option, like popcorn.

Eat the same foods you're used to, but reduce the portion. Making small changes and sticking with them ensures that you create healthier habits, which works better in the long run. Be careful of creating too many goals for yourself. It's tempting to tackle your finances, body and relationships in a huge to-do list, but it's too overwhelming and easy to disappoint yourself. Why not try to incorporate a few goals simultaneously? If you'd like to volunteer more, get fit and spend time with your family, then try helping out a charity by building homes. Bring a family member along, and you'll spend time together while using a little elbow grease to help someone else.