Every year, many of us make the same old promise. On the first day of January, we’re going to finally shed those extra pounds. A few weeks later, our resolve weakens, and we’re sheepishly digging into cake frosting with a spoon.

No one ever said keeping New Year’s resolutions was easy.

But experts say there are ways to at least make healthy life changes easier, whether it’s January 1st or September 22nd.

The first step is to set realistic goals. University of Maryland psychiatrists say setting a huge goal, like dropping 60 pounds, may be too daunting.  Making a realistic goal, like losing 5 pounds in a month, will give you a specific goal without overwhelming you.

Want to get more fit? Take a short walk every day, not a five-mile hike.

Need to eat better? Start by adding more fruits and vegetables.

Don’t let setbacks derail you. Just because your internal cookie monster gets the best of you once doesn’t mean you can’t reach your goal. Dust yourself off and start over.

Help yourself stay on track. If you snooze through every alarm, locate your clock or phone far enough away that you have to get out of bed to turn it off. Keep a journal and celebrate milestones.

Another key to changing a bad habit? Don’t go it alone. Experts advise telling friends about your plans so they can support you. If you’re trying to kick a serious unhealthy habit like smoking or drinking, there are free smartphone apps that can lend support for just about any habit you’d want to break — smoking, drinking, couch potatoing, just to name a few.

And remember that New Year’s Day is not the only day in the year. Work on healthy habits all year long — just take it one day at a time.