Whether it’s vowing to eat right, exercising regularly, or improving personal finances, residents are focusing on shaping up for the new year.

But it’s no secret that, despite ambitious plans, many people scrap their resolutions before March.

“People try to make a change, but that does tend to wane by mid-January,” said Mattapoisett fitness trainer Dara Midwood.

In the meantime, Midwood, as well as staffers at the Mattapoisett YMCA, are preparing for the resolution rush.

“Usually right after the first of January, there will  be an influx,” said YMCA staff member Amy King.

While it’s easy to laugh about all the folks who buy the exercise bike only to have it gather dust, hang with the diet for two weeks, and cut back on spending until lusting after a big-screen TV for the Super Bowl, the folks whose job it is to see that some of us stick with our plans have some tips.

“I think people have great intentions, but they need to start with small changes,” Midwood said. “Start with small things everyday and then it just becomes part of a lifestyle.”

Mattapoisett fitness trainer Derek DeCosta agreed.

“People can make resolutions and say they want to lose 10 pounds by going to the gym, but that won’t keep them there,” DeCosta said. “People want instantaneous results and try to go from zero to 100. It doesn’t work.”

DeCosta said that associating positive emotion with exercise, or cutting down on your beer or cigarette intake, can reinforce your commitment to accomplishing a goal.

DeCosta suggested starting with something simple such as drinking eight glasses of water a day, eating more vegetables and locally grown foods, and writing down your goals.

Starting with easy tasks can help accommodate changes to daily routines, he said.

“It’s a gradual process,” DeCosta said. “Most people are five to 35 pounds overweight. Once you lose that, do a little bit every day to maintain it. It has to be an enjoyable experience or you’re not going to want to do it.”

DeCosta also suggested reading self-help books on how best to accomplish a goal, finding a mentor, and reaching out to a group of people you are close to for support.

“Have a group of people who are like-minded that can help you achieve your goal. If you don’t have that, you are setting yourself up for disaster,” DeCosta said. “You have to change your attitude about what you deserve and what you’re capable of.”

Besides losing a few pesky pounds, the New Year can be rough on finances, as credit card bills come due.

To get finances in order for 2013, Steve Galavotti, Financial Advisor of Edward Jones in Marion, said the key to a stress-free start to the New Year is to plan ahead.

“It’s always good to have a plan,” Galavotti said. “Reviewing your plan at the beginning of the year would help you stay on track to meet that plan.”

Mortgage loan officer Jim Austin of Cape Cod Five Cents Savings Bank in Marion agreed.

“I tell people in December to set up a spending budget for the year,” Austin said. “Set your goals. If you stick within your budget, you’re fine.”

Unexpected or unforeseen costs such as having to buy a new car might throw a wrench into anyone’s budget, but Austin said a well-thought-out plan early on would help when such costs arise.

“Sometimes life happens and you’ve got to pay,” Austin said. “If you set a plan, you keep yourself from overextending yourself. Just don’t fall into a trap where you overextend yourself. That’s too easy.”

To stay on track, Austin suggested keeping a written record of spending and income as well as utilizing an online budget planning program.

Whatever the resolution, its baby steps rather than giant leaps that are likely to stick.

“You have to be ready to make a commitment,” Midwood said. “Once you’re mentally committed, you’re ready to do anything.”