Articles written by Devin Sherrington about health, wellness and fitness in regular column called Fit to Be Tried in the Daily News:

The Daily News - Fit to Be Tried by Devin Sherrington

You're two days into 2005 and you've made your New Year's Resolution. You're going to get in shape.

Every January people swear to get in shape. Gyms are packed with people working hard. I'm always impressed to see so many people working so hard, but I always feel a little bad for some. That's because the resolution they've made likely won't come true.

Why not? They haven't decided on a realistic, measurable or clearly thought out goal. And they don't have a plan to get there.

Deciding to get into shape is an excellent starting point for a New Year's Resolution, but it's only a starting point. You need to have a measurable goal you want to reach, like losing 20 pounds to make your sore back feel better.

But that's not all.

The 20 pounds and a healthy back is your ultimate goal. You need to form a plan with mini monthly goals to help you reach your ultimate goal.

Let's say it will take you four months to lose twenty pounds. Realistically, one to two pounds a week is great. So you've broken up your ultimate goal into four monthly goals.

In the month of January make a goal to lose five pounds. Commit yourself to a 20-minute power walk, three times a week. Also commit to not eat after supper, and drink eight glasses of water a day. This is your first mini goal and step one in your plan.

Keep track of your training in a journal or write in on the calendar. It will help you stay on track and keep you honest.

After the first month reassess. You've lost five pounds and your back feels better. You're on the right track. You've accomplished your first mini goal and you're a quarter of the way to your ultimate goal.

Now you need another mini goal. For the month of February make a goal to lose another five pounds and spend four days in the gym. Up your cardio sessions to four days a week, 30 minutes for each session. Add some weight lifting to your workouts two to three days a week. Use light weight to help strengthen your muscles.

Also change your diet a little more. Replace any junk snacks with fruit and veggie snacks. Continue not eating after supper.

At the end of February weigh yourself. You've lost five more pounds and your back is feeling great. You've accomplished half of your ultimate goal, and you've completed your second mini goal.

Now reassess again. Commit to losing another five pounds. Try upping your cardio sessions to 45 minutes four times a week. Keep up your weight training. Stay on your diet, but give yourself a cheat day one day a week and eat anything you want. It will help in the long run and will keep you sane.

At the end of March, reassess. How have you done?

This is the best way to get in shape. Set up a fitness plan complete with mini goals. Then succeed with your mini goals, all the way to your ultimate fitness goal.