With 2016 now nothing but a distant memory, many people all over the world will be starting, and breaking, their New Year’s resolutions. As reported by Bupa, over half of people making a resolution are not confident that they’ll stick to it, before they even start.

Most New Year’s resolutions focus on health and fitness, but the key to sticking with them is to make them achievable. And why only make them last a year? Health and fitness are vital parts of everyday life, and become increasingly important the older you get. So, here at Asda Money we’ve put together our top 5 tips to achieve long-term resolutions that will make you feel happy and healthy for a lifetime.

Be active every day

One of the greatest advantages of retirement is being able to relax, and to spend quality time doing what you enjoy. However, it’s good to stay active, and people of all ages should still be doing a small amount of exercise every single day.

This is a great activity to take up, as it isn’t something that will affect your life drastically. Whether it’s a quick walk to the shops or a few stretches in the morning, anything is better than nothing.

Daily physical activity can have major health benefits, including reducing the risk of heart disease, reducing blood pressure, and making you look and feel better. It’s also great to get some fresh air on a daily basis, as it’s said to be good for digestion, strengthening your immune system, plus it can give you more energy and a sharper mind.

Turn fitness into a social event

Health and fitness related goals are a major part of most people’s New Year’s resolutions, but more often than not, people try too hard and give up a month or so into the year. A great way to turn these resolutions into a lifestyle is to organise healthy social events.

You could meet your friends in the park for walks, or perhaps organise a lunch club, where you come together to cook healthy meals. Turning your fitness routine into a social event is a great way to stay healthy for life, and not just for a couple of months. Involving other people makes you feel like you’re not alone on the health journey, and it can also be a lot of fun too.

By doing this, health and fitness resolutions will no longer seem like chores, you’ll be able to enjoy meeting up with friends whilst also feeling better within yourself.

Take up a new hobby

For many, a New Year’s resolution is the opportunity to learn something new. It can be typical for people to spend the upcoming year learning a new skill, or finding a hobby that’s a little bit out of their comfort zone. However, taking up a new hobby doesn’t have to be daunting.

This is a great resolution for the over 50s in particular, as not only will you find something to fill your spare time, but you’ll also get the chance to meet new people. Taking up a new activity will also give you something to look forward to, and scientists even believe that it can boost brainpower!

There are many different hobbies you could take up, from gardening and cooking classes, to golf or yoga; there’s something out there for everyone.

Travel more

If the kids have gone off to university, or you’re retired and looking for something to do, then what better way to fill the time than by seeing more of the world.

Making a New Year’s resolution is the perfect excuse to get out of the country and travel more. You can make this resolution last a lifetime, by setting yourself different places to visit each year.

You wouldn’t have to do it alone either. There are many organised tours which are available for a variety of age groups, so you can see more of the world whilst meeting new friends. Travel insurance is a great way to make sure you’re safe when abroad, so make sure you’re prepared before you travel.

Make healthier food choices

It’s extremely easy to fall into a habit of eating convenience food, either by buying ready meals or eating out. However, now is the perfect time to learn all about cooking and eating those healthier food choices. Cooking classes are a great way to learn about healthier eating, and are a fantastic opportunity for you to get reacquainted with your kitchen.

Many people make a New Year’s resolution to ‘eat healthy’, but most make the mistake of cutting out vital parts of the diet, such as carbohydrates or sugar. Eventually, they give in to temptation and give up completely on their resolution.

The key is to eat every food group in moderation, and to not completely give up your favourite treats!

Drinking water is also a great way to stay healthy, as it helps to prevent headaches, fight infections, improve concentration, and boost energy levels.