What keeps many from conquering their goal to change old eating or exercise habits year after year?  Waning motivation. But you can stay motivated and bust through your 2009 weight loss goals with these tips from Nick Nicholson, M.D., bariatric surgeon on the Baylor Plano medical staff.

1. Commit to a friend: It’s a lot harder to hit the snooze button and sleep through your morning jog when your friend is at your front door waiting for you. “Friends push us to be better and encourage us on the days when we’re not feeling our best,” says Dr. Nicholson. Try training together to participate in a local 5-K, marathon or triathlon.
2. Join a class: Participating in a group exercise class is a great way to stay committed to exercise and to meet new people. Choose a class that you really enjoy and feel better after attending so that you will want to attend on a regular basis.
3. Partner with man’s best friend: Research shows that owning a dog can help you lose weight because those with dogs tend to be more active. Owning a dog requires you to let the dog outside a few times a day for bathroom breaks, and the majority of owners take their dogs on frequent walks.
4. Jam Out: Research by the North American Association for the Study of Obesity revealed that women who listen to music while exercising are more likely to exercise on a regular basis.