Some of the most common New Year’s Resolutions are related to health and fitness. Many of us plan to kick off January by eating better, taking care of our bodies and actually going to the gym.

However, changing your health habits requires a lot of time and commitment. It’s easy to fall off track or feel too overwhelmed to even begin. To help lessen the intimidation that comes with tackling your fitness goals, here are some tips to get you started:

Do your research ahead of time. I wish I could tell you about a “one size fits all” fitness plan, but no such thing exists. Everyone is unique and there are tons of different ways to diet and workout.

The biggest key to reaching your goals is finding a plan that works for you. If lifting weights or running on a treadmill doesn’t excite you, get creative and try something different like boxing or a dance class.

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Remember that there are various eating styles as well. You don’t need to pull off a crazy diet that contains zero sugar or that only allows you to drink protein shakes.

Intuitive eating, macro tracking and intermittent fasting are just a few other examples of practices that can help you reach your goals. Be sure to research many diet or exercise plans and consult a physician if necessary before you choose one to try.

Be ready for trials and errors. Forming new habits and trying different activities isn’t easy. There are going to be plenty of days where you slip up or abandon your diet plan completely.

You’re going to skip the gym or fail at a new exercise, and that’s okay. Some things aren’t going to work for you. We often forget that it’s perfectly normal to have a bad day, struggle through a workout or reassess our fitness plan entirely.

It’s okay to throw out a routine or diet if it isn’t working for you. It may take some time to find what’s right for your schedule, body and mind, and that’s perfectly fine.

Make sure you have clear, small goals set for yourself. It’s good to be motivated by whatever your big picture is, but the truth is that fitness is a lifestyle.

You’re setting out to build habits and practices that will keep you healthy throughout college and beyond. That’s why small, personal goals are so helpful.

They make your main goal seem less intimidating, help you mark your progress and allow you to get into the habit of always having something to work towards. It’s about the journey, not the destination.