5 ways to stick to your New Year's resolution to lose weight

Happy New Year! As we turn over a new leaf for 2017, many Americans will take this time of year to commit to a New Year's Resolution for the coming year, and many will make the choice to hit the gym to lose a few of those extra pounds gained over the holidays. We here at FSAstore.com want you to stay committed to your goals and stay active this winter, and a few FSA-eligible products and motivation can help you get there! Here are a few of our best tips to stick to your New Year's resolution and build a healthier foundation for 2017!

1. Define your goals

First and foremost, you should go into any weight loss endeavor with a clear idea of what you're trying to achieve. Whether it's being able to run a mile without stopping, losing 10 lbs or being able to do a pull-up, no matter what you decide, make sure your goals are measurable, specific and achievable to have something concrete to work toward.

2. Invest in a fitness tracker

With the rapid development of fitness tracking devices and smart watches, there are more options than ever to not only track your progress toward your overall goal, but allow you to savor the small victories along the way. The right fitness tracker for you will be based on your individual needs and how active your lifestyle is. Some will just look for step counting and reliable sleep tracking, while others will look for heart rate monitoring, blood pressure tracking or GPS for outdoor activities. Making this investment will also provide extra incentive for you to work harder toward your overall goals.

3. Enlist the help of a friend

Reaching the summit of any major goal is far easier when you have someone by your side, so when you're starting to plan for your weight loss plan for 2017, ask a friend or family member to join you. A little healthy competition may be just what you need to stay on top of your fitness goals, and you can push one another on days when you may not have the motivation to get to the gym.

4. Embrace social media

Encouragement from family and friends is an extremely helpful tool in reaching your fitness goals, but this time around, put yourself outside of your comfort zone and catalogue your experience on social media. It takes some serious courage and vulnerability to share your personal journey, but having that extra support system can be the difference between giving up and pushing to meet your goals.

5. Use your FSA!

Don't let a sudden injury or soreness interfere with your New Year's Resolution goals! Your flexible spending account (FSA) covers a huge range of rehabilitative products that can help you bounce back from injuries and discomfort with ease. Some of the most useful FSA eligible items for your workout goals include kinesiology tape, hot and cold packs, knee/ankle/wrist/back/elbow braces, cushioned insoles, TENS therapy machines and much more!