This time next year...

Lose weight
'My New Year's resolution is to lose weight - around three stone ideally - and to take better care of my health. I'd also like to be more positive and procrastinate less. These have been my goals for the last few years but hopefully in the next 12 months I can find it in me to achieve them.'
mic1978

'Taking the first step towards your goal is the easy part. Keeping going is the real challenge,' says Brian. To stay motivated, 'get help to achieve your goal. If you want to lose weight, join a club or diet with friends for support. Help yourself in any way you can to maximise your chances of success. Reward yourself when you reach targets along the way and don't beat yourself up if you fall off the wagon occasionally.'

Give up smoking
'I've tried everything to give up smoking but this year I want to succeed! I know that it will have to be a cold turkey job but my will power has vanished. Please help me so that this time next year I am a non-smoker. I have a two-year-old daughter and for the sake of her health and my pocket, I really want to give up.'
amberleaf77

Giving up the ciggies is tough but you need to show faith in yourself. 'Tell yourself that you are stronger than you think and use every tool available to help you give up.' suggests Brian. Support from boards such as Stop Smoking are invaluable, as is that of those around you.

'Believe you can succeed and refuse to think negatively,' Brian advises. 'Take practical steps to help yourself - such as avoiding situations where you'd normally smoke or environments where it would be the norm for you to spark up. Visualise yourself as a non-smoker and hold on to the fact that you're doing this for two very good reasons - your own health and that of your daughter.'

Achieving your aims for the coming year won't always be easy but if you can look back come Christmas 2006 and say you've done what you set out to do, think of the sense of satisfaction you'll feel. iVillagers are here to offer support and advice - there's always someone who's going through a similar situation. The key is to stay strong, ask for help and believe that you can achieve your goal. Good luck!