Sue McMurray is member of a rare breed.

McMurray made a New Year’s resolution two years ago and has kept it ever since - that of watching her weight and exercising.

“Sue joined our six-week solutions program two years ago,” said Ashlea Ridenhour, manager of Curves. “Her hard work and dedication paid off in that short period of time, and she’s been with us ever since.”

Health-related goals top the charts every year in surveys of contemporary New Year’s resolutions; however, if unreasonable goals are set few, if any, of those resolutions are kept.

“New Year’s resolutions are fun, but the problem for most people is that we are not realistic when choosing them,” said Heather Winn, extension educator for the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service. “When making a resolution, consider choosing the ‘right’ one. Give it some thought, then set your goal. Once you’ve made your resolution official by writing it in the form of a goal, create a plan.”

By making a reasonably good plan, resolution-makers are more likely to make some progress or actually attain their goal, said Winn.

“Try to identify the exact steps toward accomplishing the goal, being sure to identify any pitfalls or obstacles that you may run across,” said Winn.

Rev. Thea Nietfeld, of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Tahlequah, takes a spiritual approach to resolutions and the new year.

“I’m trying to keep up with the seasons and let myself move with seasonal changes, so that in the fall I don’t initiate [any new projects],” said Nietfeld. “Since winter solstice I’ve been preparing for what’s next, and I expect in the spring that new things will bloom in my life.”

According to Nietfeld, this approach to her changes over time keeps her in tune with the natural world.

Connie Jolliff spent a number of years on the road with her husband, working in a variety of capacities. Now the co-owner of J&J Liquors, Jolliff is resolved to taking life more slowly.

“I plan to stay at home and relax more,” said Jolliff. “I’m busier now than I was when we were on the road, but it’s a good kind of busy. I love our customers and coming to work each day. Our goal is to make our store a pleasant place for our customers.”

Area men seem less likely to keep their resolutions than women.

“I’ve made resolutions in the past, but no longer do so,” said Michael Lindsey. “I did it because everyone else did, then I thought it was silly. It’s a silly tradition. Who, or what, started this trend anyway? A resolution is a decision; why should Jan. 1 be the ‘special day’ to make a decision? How about we toss in a Mid-Year’s resolution, so we can [break] it, too? Double your pleasure! We also have the chance to follow it with fireworks, with the bonus of celebrating the freedom of decision-making.”

Gregg Simmons has also failed at keeping New Year’s resolutions.