During Lent, people often find it hard to keep up with their commitments to give up things like soda, sweets, smoking and other unhealthy or unnecessary habits. What might make us even more uneasy is the fact that most people have already forgotten about their New Year’s resolutions. Combined, these are double whammies of temptation to deal with. Here are a few tips to help you stick to your commitments:

1. The Buddy System.
Honestly, most people do not have the strength to stay away from bad habits on their own. Having a close, trustworthy friend who is not a bad influence and who will actually make you adhere to your promise can be a push in the right direction. Maybe you and your friend even gave up the same foods or habits, which is only that much more of a reason to help each other stick with your commitments.

2. Stay away from places of high temptation.
Do not even think of walking into a Starbucks if you gave up caffeine. And if you plan on ignoring your diehard cravings for sweets, do not try and save a stash of Oreos thinking you won’t eat them until Easter. Being in a place surrounded by what you cannot have will only make you want it more. Stick to the rule: Out of sight, out of mind.

3. Keep your faith strong.
What you give up for Lent is symbolic of Jesus living in the desert for forty days withdrawn from all personal comforts; so do not forget about that in your struggle to stay good. Draw your strength from others around you and really reflect upon why you have chosen to give up this particular thing in your life. And of course, us humans are not perfect, so mistakes are not the end of the world. If you slip up, do not beat yourself over the head about it. Instead, rededicate yourself to your goal and work harder to reach it.