Chances are good that you're considering at least one diet or fitness-related resolution for the new year. And pumped as many of us are about a fresh start, you may doubt your ability to make good on this year's promises.

Why do so many diet and health resolutions fail?

For most of us, our resolve is no match for other forces at least partly to blame for sapping our willpower. Many of these factors relate to physical and social conditions in our environments. Some examples:

• Sedentary jobs. Considering that many of us spend at least half of our waking hours in a nearly motionless state, there isn't much time left in which to be physically active and also accomplish other tasks of daily life.
• Dependence on cars. Most of us rely on cars to get us where we need to go each day. We drive everywhere -- to the grocery store, movie theater and post office. Our bodies don't burn much fuel in a typical day.
• Fast-food culture. We've come to rely on processed foods and eating out to trim time off meal preparation. That's a costly habit, both in dollars -- we spend 40 percent of our food budget on meals away from home -- and because it nearly guarantees excessive calorie intakes. From grocery stores, cheesy, gooey pizza, casseroles, pot pies and processed meats pass for "homemade" when they're heated in the oven at home.
• Messages that say "eat more." Advertising that targets both kids and adults encourages us to eat more food, more often. Ads appear on school lunch room walls, in movies and magazines, on TV, on clothing -- they're everywhere. Just about every activity we engage in for entertainment is paired with opportunities to eat. Even kids' sports activities -- ball games, swim meets -- include snacks and drinks.
• Few safe places to walk, play and ride bikes. Many communities lack sidewalks, bike paths and playgrounds where families can walk and kids can run, tumble and play on strength-building equipment with their friends.

How can you boost your willpower to help overcome these barriers to your New Year's good intentions? A few suggestions:

• Organize support at work. Use your lunch hour to walk with friends. Start a discussion in your office about ground rules for parties and other food events. Get fatty foods -- such as doughnuts, cookies and fast food -- out and replace them with more fruit, veggies and salads.
• Get involved in your community. Become an advocate for bike paths and walking trails, parks and community gardens. Attend meetings of your city or town council and support clubs and associations working to build active living communities.
• Stock your home with staples for quick meals. Whole-wheat pasta, canned beans, rice and frozen vegetables are good starts. Learn to cook, especially easy meals you can make at home without a recipe.
• Supply your own meals and snacks from home. You'll have more control over the ingredients and portion sizes. Pack leftovers from last night's dinner for lunch and take fresh fruit instead of chips and other processed snacks.
• Opt out. Remove yourself from situations that are threats to your resolve. Skip the office party and limit time in front of the TV.

Remember: Your willpower alone may not be enough. Be aware of the barriers in your environment that stand in the way of your health goals and work out strategies to overcome them.

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