The ball dropped on another new year, and we all know what that means ... time to get busy on our New Year’s resolutions. However, many Americans are resistant to making them possibly because the thought of failure is too great.

According to Time magazine, most Americans have made — and broken — a resolution or two. Here’s a list of last year’s most common New Year’s resolutions.

1 Lose weight and get fit.
2 Quit smoking.
3 Learn something new.
4 Eat healthier and diet.
5 Get out of debt and save money.
6 Spend more time with family.
7 Travel to new places.
8 Be less stressed.
9 Volunteer.
10 Drink less.

Does that list look familiar? Even if you didn’t write it down last year, you may have thought about trying to achieve one of those positive changes. Weight loss and exercise are most common because, well after a couple months of overeating, shedding those unwanted pounds is the right thing to do.

The National Institute of Health conducted a study and found that on average most Americans only gain about one pound over the holiday season. While that number seems encouraging, here’s another fact that is not. Most of those studied did not lose that pound after the new year, and over time, this slight weight gain each year contributes to obesity and a whole host of diseases related to obesity.

If that’s not reason enough to start, here’s another fact to fuel your fire: more than half of all adults in the United States are overweight, according to government statistics based on body mass index or BMI. More than half! So throw out your fear of failure and get busy.

Needless to say, it’s time to start moving America! In Pearland, there is a new fitness company that will be starting its first boot camp session this year. Bay Area Adventure Boot Camp wants to help you reach your fitness goals and your New Year’s resolutions. “Quick fixes don’t last, and there isn’t a secret to weight loss,” explained Sara Oliver, owner of Bay Area Adventure Boot Camp.

“You only get one body in this life, and I love helping people learn how to take care of themselves the right way. We not only lead people through safe, effective workouts, but we teach proper nutrition and health habits. Our big mantra is, diet’s don’t work, good habits do!”

Oliver has been a personal trainer since 1997, and she opened Bay Area Adventure Boot Camp in 2006. She started her business in Deer Park, and in just five years has grown into Clear Lake, Seabrook/El Lago, Leauge City and now Pearland.

Bay Area Adventure Boot Camp structures its outdoor classes into four weekly sessions Monday through Friday and then one week off. The work they do is paying off, too. “We have seen clients not only lose amazing amounts of weight, anywhere from 10-75 pounds, but we help people lower their cholesterol, gain back lost energy, gain better sleep at night, increase their immune system, find their inner athlete and also discover long lasting friendships with other members,” Oliver said.

We’ve all watched The Biggest Loser and have been in awe of the substantial amounts of weight the contestants lose. We have also seen how dedicated they are to losing weight, and the effort they put into exercising and eating healthy.

“While we love the trainers on The Biggest Loser, we take a different approach,” Oliver said. “You will not be screamed or yelled at in our program, but you will be taught proper form and encouraged to dig deep and give 100 percent. We know that with proper education and encouragement, you can do anything!” she said.

“We will hold you accountable to be in class, but getting there and working hard is ultimately your choice. Again, we teach you the habits necessary to reach your goals.”

Bay Area Adventure Boot Camp has classes at two locations: Centennial Park off of McLean Road and at a Silverlake location. If you are interested in joining a Boot Camp session, visit www.gettobootcamp.com.

Ultimately losing weight and getting fit are lifestyle changes that start with you.