Tis the season for good intentions backed by bad execution. No one sets a goal to fail, but lots of people will resolve to get fit in 2010 and only a few will actually succeed.

The trick to keeping your healthy lifestyle resolution lies in how you set about to accomplishing the goal. Those who are successful in keeping a resolution to get fit have something in common: Accountability. They accomplish their goals by keeping track of progress, working hard to reach milestones along the way and pushing themselves versus just doing something routine.

Improving your fitness is really hard work. It's indisputable: Sitting on the couch or sleeping in is a lot easier than running, rowing, lifting weights and jumping rope. Being accountable for reaching goals is what bridges the divide between your warm, cozy bed and hitting the weight room.

The easiest accountability tactic: Find a workout buddy. Connect with someone who will push you, keep you motivated and help you stick with it even when you'd rather not.

Write down your goals and keep track of your progress towards meeting those goals. Set three long term, one year forward goals, three intermediate goals that you'll achieve 4-6 months from now, amd three 1-2 month goals. Find a method for tracking your progress that works for you, whether it's keeping a journal or blog or just a simple notecard.

Finally, be accountable for making your workouts challenging enough to deliver progress. Seeing results is a great motivator! While it's ideal to have a routine and make working out a habit, it's not ideal to do the same workout every time you hit the gym. Change it up and keep your muscles guessing.

Melissa Gerharter MS, RD is co-owner of Joust Strength and Fitness of Ann Arbor, joustfitness.com. She is also a personal trainer and an adjunct lecturer at Eastern Michigan University. She can be reached at Melissa@joustfitness.com