The ball has dropped in Times Square and last year has been reviewed, recapped, and remembered. So here we are, planted squarely in the middle of the first month of 2012. If you are like me, you have already made your New Year's resolutions and broken them at least once. Every year, I am surprised all over again at how quickly my motivation wanes for these inspired resolutions for change.

I think about the expectations I place on my patients to make lifestyle changes. I urge my diabetic patients to stave off the urge for sugary treats. I plead with my hypertensive patients to take their medication regularly. I prod my chronic pain patients to stretch and move and swim. But the motivation to make personal change is hard to find. As a clinician the need for disease altering changes seem so obvious and the consequences of not changing seem so dire. But showing a picture of an uncontrolled diabetic with amputated limbs or a hypertensive living with stroke-induced paralysis is not enough to inspire change. Change must start with personal motivation. Motivational interviewing techniques aim to identify the level of personal interest in making a change and allow patients to set their own goals.

In the past few years, I have been entranced by the TV show The Biggest Loser. A new season has just begun, and I am eager to watch the contestants develop their inner strength as they shed hundreds of pounds on national television. The show exemplifies some of the core principles of successful change management that I hope to convey to my patients and try o follow myself as I try to stick to my resolutions.

Start small—In the first few workouts, the contestants struggle to walk and lift small weights. They don't start with marathons and 100 chin-ups. Out of eagerness for new resolutions, most of us will over do it in these first few weeks and experience frustration (and some achy or injured muscles).

Set measurable goals—The contestants weigh in weekly to measure progress in pounds and in percentage of weight loss. Whatever the goal, it is important to find a way to measure progress. Although this is straightforward with weight loss goals, it can be more challenging to uncover a method to measure some goals. Whatever the measure, it is important to track progress in a quantifiable amount.

Find a support network—One of the greatest assets to people on The Biggest Loser show is the opportunity to live on “the ranch”. Contestants are surrounded with other people with the same goal as well as limitless resources geared to reach their weight loss goals. Most of us don't have the opportunity to experience this level of support, but it is important to find the people that cheer us on in our efforts.

Celebrate success along the way (but not with cake)— Our brains are wired for reward and gratification, and we can use this to our advantage by celebrating our progress. Making even the smallest of changes is a lot of work, and celebrating the baby steps along the way will help keep up morale and motivation.

So to you, my JAAPA community, I wish you all the best as you tackle your own resolutions for 2012. Please share your resolutions and your tips for success in the comment section below.

Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man. ~Benjamin Franklin

Kris Himmerick is on the faculty of the FNP/PA program at the University of California, Davis, School of Medicine, Sacramento. This blog post expresses her personal views and does not express or represent the views or policies of AAPA.