New Year's Motivation: You Won't Believe What This Woman Learned to Do at 24

A new year is a time to swear off unhealthy habits or start healthy ones, but don't let scary stats — like the fact that only eight percent of people stick to their New Year's resolutions — discourage you. Instead, be inspired by real people who came, saw, and conquered their goals, like former POPSUGAR employee Maggie Eisenberg, who made it her mission to learn how to swim at age 24. Check out her inspiring success story!

POPSUGAR: What was your resolution, and why did you make it?

Maggie Eisenberg: My resolution was to learn how to swim. I made it for three major reasons. 1. Safety: it's just not smart to only doggie paddle, especially when I'm a sailor. 2. I wanted to have a healthy activity to do for the rest of my life. 3. A lot of my friends swim for a fundraiser called Swim Across America and I didn't want to be a land volunteer again.

PS: What were the factors that helped you be successful?

ME: My sister helped me sign up for swim lessons and kept me motivated even when I was on the side of the pool learning how to blow bubbles. Oh yeah, I found out my swim instructor was actually an ex-Olympian. An ex-Olympian had to teach me to blow bubbles. I can't get over it.

Two women at my gym, also sisters, kept tabs on me throughout my training. They held me accountable for the morning swims and when I didn't show up, they'd tell me that if women in their late 60s could jump the water a few mornings a week, a 24-year-old better be able to do the same.

PS: What one piece of advice would you give someone who is making the same resolution this year?

ME: Stop being embarrassed and do want you want to do. I didn't learn how to swim for so long because I didn't want anyone to see me struggle in the pool. When I cared more about the goal rather than how I looked or what people thought of me, everything changed. I actually think it is pretty cool that I learned how to swim at 24 and did an open-water swim in the San Francisco Bay at 25. It also doesn't hurt to have friends and family put money down on you for a fundraiser. That is a good way to avoid quitting!