9 Easy Tips—Not Resolutions—for A Better 2015

Be honest. How many New Year’s resolutions have you already abandoned? Instead of things you must “resolve” to do, how about a few tips you can follow—and, more importantly, will want to follow—to make 2015 as awesome as possible?

You’re 70 % more likely to stick to an exercise regimen if you work out with a friend. So ditch drinks in favor of a dance class like 305 Fitness. Named for the hottest area code in the South, this dance-cardio fusion class features high intensity interval training, fun choreography and a live DJ. A workout disguised as a dance party—what’s better than that?

Why suffer near-death while toddling around in heels when sneakers have become acceptable from the runway to the office (OK, depends on your office)? Choose from anything from Celine to New Balance, Givenchy to Chuck Taylors so you can actually walk around—and enjoy it.

Shopping for jeans can be painful. If they fit in the waist, they’re loose in the legs. This is the year to invest in a pair that’s tailor made just for you. Plenty of denim brands offer customizable fits built for your exact shape. Select from 80 different kinds of fabric alongside your very own denim consultant at New York shop 3x1. Levi’s also offers customizable options at select stores, complete with edition and date.

Don’t wait for bi-monthly facials to alleviate skin woes. Dermatologists and skincare experts encourage the use of at-home peels, masks, deep cleansers and general day-to-day maintenance to keep skin looking clear and vibrant—and there’s never been a better selection of effective products at the drugstore. Loyalists swear by the Biologique-Recherche P50 Balancing Exfoliators and the Exfoliating Glyco Peel System by New York dermatologist Dr. Patricia Wexler. “We spend a lot more time on our hair and teeth than our skin,” says Dr. Wexler. “We can take a few minutes to cleanse, exfoliate, moisturize and use sunscreen everyday.”

You don’t have to drink juice all week to make a positive change in your diet. Instead try to add nutrient-dense food in to meals and remember, protein leaves you fuller longer. Think good fats like avocado and nuts as well as flax seeds, leafy greens (duh) and almond butter, which we use on just about everything. Map out your plans for the week and research recipes before heading to the grocery store where you’re prone to make less educated decisions.

We all need something to keep us going, particularly when “going” means trudging through two feet of snow to get to work. Winter isn’t easy, but having something to look forward to is the best way to maintain a positive attitude when temperatures drop below freezing. Check out Bohemian-chic enclave Maderas Village in Nicaragua before everyone else does.

Speaking of things to look forward to, splurge on a well-made swimsuit for summer ’15 now—there really is a difference. Designers like Mara Hoffman, Roksanda Illincic and Lisa Marie Fernandez make comfortable, sophisticated swimwear for real women with real bodies.

You don’t have to head to the salon to spruce up your dry, sun-starved hair. Experiment with natural remedies like olive or coconut oil. “If you have a dry scalp, apply it straight onto your scalp, and if you have dry ends, apply it generously to your ends,” says celebrity hairstylist Paul Labrecque. Secret trick: apply olive oil right before you hit the gym so that your natural sweat mixes in, leaving you with amazing moisture.

You don’t have to be obsessed with fashion to engage in some innocuous trend play this year. Ignore the “must-haves” and “throw away” lists and instead figure out what you like. Are you into the 70s revival? Maybe it’s head-to-toe florals. Now figure out how it best suits you—and have fun with it!