Ever wonder why you can never follow your own New Year's resolutions for longer than a week? Maybe it's because you're making the wrong ones! Check out Hungry Girl's fixes for resolutions you can stick with!
 
Instead of this: "I'll only eat veggies, fruit, and protein. I won't cave to a single craving for anything else!"

Try This! "I'll stick to the good stuff for the most part, and I'll seek out lower calorie alternatives for my fave snack foods."
 
Fruits and veggies are great. And lean protein is a solid diet staple. But chances are if you don't allow yourself to enjoy anything else, you'll end up feeling deprived, and you just might find yourself ordering one of everything from the nearest fast-food joint! So if you can't live without mac 'n cheese, find a tasty freezer version with fewer calories and fat grams (click here for our review of a bunch!). And if you need some cookies now and then, go for a portion-controlled pack like one of Nabisco's 100 Calorie Packs (we think their Oreo Thin Crisps are better than actual Oreos!). Swaps like these make it much easier to stick to a diet of mostly good-for-you stuff.

Instead of this: "Buh-bye blended beverages. Sayonara soda. Nothin' but plain H20 for me!"

Try This! "I don't need high-calorie drinks, and I'm definitely going to drink more water this year. But I can enjoy some low-calorie flavored beverages, too."
 
Deciding to up your water intake is a great idea. But if you're used to living on cola and coffee drinks, eliminating them altogether can be tough. So treat yourself to the occasional guilt-free sip from Starbucks -- you can make almost anything on the menu a better choice by ordering it with sugar-free syrup, nonfat milk, and no whipped cream. And if the craving hits, allow yourself a can of diet soda from time to time (Coca Cola's Zero line tastes just like regular soda, but with zero calories!). And to make guzzling water more exciting, try some flavored versions.

Instead of this: "It's all or nothin' this year -- I'm gonna run 5 miles every morning!"

Try This! "I'll make an effort to get into an exercise routine, but I'll be sure to get some physical activity in every day."
 
Exercise is awesome, but setting unrealistic goals isn't. So if you're running late and miss your morning jog, don't ditch the plan totally! Just take the stairs all day long, go for a speedy walk on your lunch break, and pick up the pace when you're running your errands. And when it comes to choosing an exercise routine, go for stuff you really like. If running bores you but you think playing ball is a blast, head over to the b-ball court and challenge a pal to a game. It's way easier to stick with a plan if you actually enjoy the activity.

Instead of this: "I'll never eat fried foods again!"

Try This! "I'll avoid fried foods when I can, and faux-fry my own tasty treats at home!"
 
Ditch the word "never" altogether -- you're only setting yourself up for failure. If you dig crunchy, breaded stuff, why not cook up some of HG's swaps instead? You can indulge in onion rings, popcorn shrimp, fried zucchini, chicken strips, jalapeno poppers, mozzarella sticks, and even sweet fried fries! Our versions are filling and low in fat and calories, and they taste too good to be true (but they're not!).

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