Many people make New Year’s resolutions about dieting and weight loss, but only a few make the effort to follow through.

The Federal Citizen Information Center Web site says the most popular New Year’s resolution in the United States is to lose weight and become healthier.

Many students are among those aiming to build better bodies this year.

Now nearly two weeks into the New Year, Cole Baessler, senior in architecture and resolution-making novice, is finding his resolution to increase his all around level of health less difficult than he predicted.

“I wanted to get in shape. It feels like I have more time this semester, and getting into shape has always been kind of a goal, but in college it is always kind of difficult to find the time. I think I will be more able to follow through this year,” Baessler said.

Although Baessler is not taking drastic steps to alter his eating and workout habits, he is making an effort to eat healthier, work out more often and take the stairs.

“I am trying to incorporate more fruits, veggies, whole grains and soy into my diet,” he said.

In addition, Baessler said he is attempting to exercise every other day, which was unlike his past attempts, which consisted of sporadic workouts.

“I think that the time I spend working out is normally the time I would spend Facebooking. I have thirty minutes in my day to spare. I spend hours on Facebook every day, so I have the time to work out,” Baessler said.

Although his physical appearance has been unchanged thus far, Baessler said he has already been changed by his resolution.

“I haven’t noticed a difference, really, in how I look, but I feel better. I feel better about what I am eating, and I have more energy,” Baessler said.

Halley Stille, sophomore in French, has also noticed a great difference in how she feels.

A self-proclaimed soda addict since junior high, Stille made the decision to remove regular soda from her diet.

“My resolution wasn’t ‘Mean Girls’ style or anything. I originally started out saying that I wanted to take better care of myself. I was drinking four cans of regular pop a day. I did the math, and I found out that I was taking in 600 calories, so I switched to diet pop,” Stille said. “I did notice an immediate difference in my weight. It was nice, and it has been really easy to stick to.”

In addition to switching to diet pop, Stille is enrolled in an exercise science class this semester to fill the void in a lackluster gym record.

“I played in high school, so when I got here and didn’t have to be physically active, but I missed the exercise and decided to do something about it,” she said.

Ranging from not riding the bus to parking the car at the far end of a parking lot, increased physical activity in absolutely any sense can be beneficial.

Changes in diet may also help resolution-makers’ results more apparent. Increasing the amount of whole grains, vegetables, fruit and lean protein, while decreasing portion sizes, can also yield positive results.

The government Web site succinctly states the underlying principle of getting and staying healthy: “The key to a lifetime of fitness is consistency,” it says.