Ah yes, 2026 has arrived and everyone is posting 'new year, new me' with the large goals they have set for themselves to accomplish. However, it's common for people to set these goals, go after them for a week or two, and then drop off. So how do we actually stay consistent throughout the year?
Small Habits as Stepping Stones
Should you set big goals for yourself this new year? Absolutely! But... break the goal down into smaller habits to accomplish: 6 months, monthly, weekly, daily. What daily habit is going to bring you closer? Make sure the daily habits you set are small at first too! Example: one of the most popular (if not THE most popular) New Year's Resolutions are the get in shape, lose weight, build muscle, etc. A person may say, "I'm going to go the the gym for 1 hour 5x a week EVERY week this year!" Okay... great goal to have! But if you've only gone to the gym once a week every other week for example, it's probably better to meet somewhere in the middle. A better place to start may be striving for 3x a week for 3 weeks consistently. This still allows for progress to be made towards that larger goal AND gives the person a chance to make exercise an enjoyable new habit.
Make it Enjoyable
For the resolutions still surrounding fitness, it is so incredibly important to make sure you're NOT viewing exercise as punishment! Make it enjoyable for yourself! Love walking but can't stand biking? Walk! Want to start lifting weights but feel like it's boring? Create a playlist with some of your favorite songs and go for it! Getting active can be fun! Find a buddy to go with or multiple buddies in case someone can't make it. Give yourself a reward that you can ONLY get after you finish a workout. Now, let's find how we can make it easier to get that success.
Make it Easy!
Getting fit CAN be easier than it may have been in the past. A few ways to make it easier: find a gym has an affordable membership close to home or on the way to/from work. Pack your gym bag the night before and lay your clothes out so their ready to go. Set alarms or reminders in your phone. Plan your workouts so you know EXACTLY what to do when you get there. 1 hour workout seem like it's just TOO dang long?? Find a fun 30-minute dance workout on YouTube to try something new. As a fitness coach myself, I have an app I use for my clients! It makes it so easy for them to get and follow their workouts, reach out to me 24/7, and keep track of their progress.
It is possible to achieve your big goals for 2026! Break them down into smaller parts so you can get closer every day, enjoy the process, and make it as easy as possible for yourself to get those gains! If you have more questions or want to get started on making 2026 your best year yet, reach out to me in the comments below or book a free consultation with me here. See you soon!