As exciting as it is to make New Year's resolutions to get more fit, the excitement doesn't always last. "New year, new me" is the mantra, but for some, the work it takes to get there can become too daunting. According to a study by Statistic Brain, 41 percent of Americans regularly make New Year's resolutions, but of those, almost half fail each year or have infrequent success.

That said, the study also found that those who make clear New Year's resolutions are 10 times more likely to reach their goals than those who don't. The trick to making sure you're in the group that succeeds in becoming healthier is to make resolutions that are easy to keep and still meaningful. Here are some ideas, brought to you by Utah Valley Specialty Hospital:

1. Drink more water

Your body is about 60 percent water, so a lot of its vital functions require the liquid. When you're not drinking enough throughout the day, your body runs less efficiently. While the age-old advice is to drink eight glasses of water per day, the amount you need depends on a lot of things, including your age, gender, height and weight, activity level and even where you live.

The best way to know if you're getting enough fluids is the color of your urine. If it's clear or light yellow, you're getting enough. If it's dark yellow or smells strong, you need to drink more. Also, don't wait until you're thirsty to drink because by then, you may already be dehydrated.

2. Cut back on sugar

The average American consumed 77 pounds of sugar in 2014, according to the Pew Research Center. After reading that, some may resolve to cut sugar out of their diet entirely. But when setting health goals like that, we often forget how hard they may be to achieve. So instead, make a goal to simply cut back. Of course, you still need some parameters for that goal or it'll be easy to make excuses.

For example, if you're a heavy soda drinker, resolve to cut your intake in half. If you enjoy candy or desserts, resolve to eat them only on certain days (and not to go overboard on those days to make up for the days you missed).

3. Eat more fruits and vegetables

According to MyPlate, adults should eat between 1 1/2-2 cups of fruit, and 2-3 cups of vegetables per day. But in the most recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, only 24 percent and 13 percent of American adults consistently met the intake recommendations for fruit and vegetables, respectively.

There are a few easy ways to get some extra fruits and veggies into your diet. For example, make a fruit smoothie for breakfast and add a handful of spinach. You can also add vegetables to most of your meals, either on the side or mixed in with the main dish. Or you can just go with a daily salad.

4. Eat more whole grains

White bread is a staple in American culture, but there's not much to it nutritionally. The same goes for other grains that have been refined, including white rice and semolina pasta. Because refined grains are usually enriched with certain vitamins and minerals that are lost in the refining process, one of the main reasons for eating whole grains is fiber.

The Mayo Clinic shares the many benefits of fiber, including helping maintain normal bowel movements, reduce cholesterol levels, lower the risk of Type 2 diabetes and keep you full longer. Of course, marketing techniques can fool you into thinking you're eating whole grains when you're not. Follow these steps by the USDA to make sure you're eating the right stuff.

5. Exercise more

Exercising regularly isn't easy for someone who's been doing it infrequently or not at all. But moving your body is essential to a healthy lifestyle, especially if you spend your workday at a desk.

The good news is that you get to choose what exercise plan works for you. Find something that you enjoy and do it as often as you feel comfortable. Don't push yourself too hard in the beginning or you may end up hurting yourself or burning out. Create a plan for when you'll exercise and for how long, then stick to it as closely as possible. The goal here isn't to get a six-pack or to run a marathon (unless, of course, that's your goal). The main focus is just to move more.

6. Be consistent

The most difficult aspect of keeping New Year's resolutions isn't motivation. We all experience lapses in motivation from time to time, regardless of how much we want the end result. The difference between being consistent and giving up is discipline. In the end, you choose whether or not to eat dessert, go for a quick jog or eat more fruit.

To help you be more disciplined, write down your goals and put them somewhere in the open, like the refrigerator. Ask a spouse or a friend to keep you accountable. Over time, you'll notice things getting easier, and you'll also notice a difference in how you feel.

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