Resolution road

February is clutch time when it comes to making New Year’s resolutions last. “For most people who start a behavior, the chances of sticking [to it] diminish over time. Six weeks is usually the magic number,” says Josh Klapow, Ph.D., a clinical psychologist who is an associate professor at the University of Alabama-Birmingham and the author of Living Smart: 5 Essential Skills to Change your Health Habits Forever. We’re checking in on five TOC staffers, who share their oaths for ’09, and asked Klapow for tips to help stay the course.

“To regain my pre-pregnancy muscle tone and flexibility, I resolved to do more tai chi and qigong at home since I don’t have time or funds to go to classes anymore. I have so little time and am so exhausted at the end of the day that I can’t get around to it even at home.” —Nicole Radja, associate photo editor

Expert says “It’s smart to tailor expectations to reality. You don’t have the time and money to work out like you used to, so revamp your goals and focus on something realistic. You may need to do a mother-baby workout some days or use fitness DVDs. But you can also enlist your spouse’s help so you can be healthy. Your spouse needs to support your need to exercise by watching your child.”

NEXT>>