How do you make your New Year's fitness resolutions stick? The bottom line: Don't push yourself over the edge - advice I'm willing to live by. After all, slow and steady wins the race.

Laurie Towers, a former professional bodybuilder, offers the following suggestions for keeping health and fitness a priority throughout the year.

1) Walk or bike to work, or get off the train or bus a stop or two early to help jump start your metabolism and engage in a bit of functional fitness.

2) Take the stairs instead of the elevator. "Walking up and down the stairs burns many more calories than hitting the 'up' button," says Towers.

3) Rather than linger over brunch, lunch or dinner, invite a friend to take a walk on the weekends instead.

4) Pack a lunch instead of eating out to ensure portion control and to have more choice over the ingredients you're eating.

5) Employ the buddy system for your workouts. You're far more likely to work out if you know someone else is relying on you.

6) Cut calories without sacrificing taste by substituting healthier sweeteners, such as honey, maple syrup, agave or stevia for sugar when cooking.

7) Set realistic goals that will let you become your own cheerleader.

8) Remember that it's perfectly natural to allow yourself a cheat day to indulge in the less than healthy foods you crave. The key is to use that day as a reward for the well-balanced nutritional investment you abide by the rest of the week.