Want to Get Fit This Year? Forget the Resolutions – Try This Instead!

Do you want to improve your balance, get fitter or be more active this year?

Perhaps you’ve considered setting New Year’s resolutions to create a regular exercise routine. But here’s something to consider: New Year’s resolutions may not be the best way to achieve your goals.

If that sounds surprising, let’s explore why resolutions often fail and what you can do to set yourself up for success this year.

Why New Year’s Resolutions Often Fail

Think about it – how many New Year’s resolutions have truly stuck? It’s a common struggle, and here’s why:

1. Setting the Wrong Goals

We often set goals based on what others are doing or what we think we should do. Maybe your neighbor joined a new class, or you read about the latest fitness trend. But if these goals don’t fit your needs, they won’t work for you.

Firstly, you might not get the results you want. If you want to improve your balance but you only do flexibility exercises, you won’t feel any steadier on your feet when you’re out and about.

Secondly, you might overdo things and set yourself back with an injury. Your friend who does that high-intensity class might have been working up to it for months, but it might not be at the right level for you.

Finally, if goals aren’t meaningful to you, they will be very hard to stick to when you don’t feel like it. When you’re tired or it’s bad weather, you’ll find it much harder to get yourself motivated if the goal doesn’t really matter to you.

Everyone’s goals are different. What works for your neighbor might not work for you. The key is choosing goals that take into account where you’re at now and where you want to get to.

2. Setting Overly Ambitious Goals

In January, we’re surrounded by “New Year, New You!” messages pushing us to aim high. While being ambitious is brilliant, big goals can feel overwhelming and often don’t lead to the success we hope for.

Instead of aiming too high, focus on realistic, manageable steps. This doesn’t mean giving up—it means finding a better way to reach your goals.

A Better Way to Get Fit and Stay Active

If you want to be more active and exercise regularly, there’s a better way. We’ve seen this work for many of our Studio members, and I’m excited to share it with you.

Here’s how to get started:

Step 1: Pause and Reflect

Before we make any big plans or start moving forward, it’s helpful to ask ourselves a few questions:

• What types of exercise have I done in the last few years?
• What worked well for me? What didn’t and why was that?
• What activities did I enjoy or feel good about?

Taking a few minutes to reflect in this way can help us to identify what we enjoy and learn how to set ourselves up for success. This can help us to create a routine that works for us.

For example, if you’re not a morning person, you’re just making it harder for yourself if you try and commit to hitting the gym every morning at dawn.

However, if you’re sociable and enjoy being in the water, scheduling an aqua class with a friend once a week will be enjoyable and likely more successful.

Step 2: Imagine Your Future Self

Fast-forward a few years. What would you like to be doing if you were fitter, stronger, or had better balance? Think about what matters to you:

• Would you feel confident planning a cruise, knowing your balance was good and you would feel confident moving around the ship and going on excursions?
• Could you play with your grandchildren, and have enough energy to keep up with them in the playground?
• Would you have the strength to tend your garden, lifting pots and carrying bags of compost with ease?

Focusing on these goals ensures you’re working toward what truly matters to you. It also helps with motivation, because you’ll know your efforts are something your future self will thank you for.

Step 3: Find Support and Guidance

Going it alone is hard. Set yourself up for success by following a program and ensuring you have a support network.

Increase your chances of success with:

• A program that is specific to your needs (so if you want to improve your balance, it should be focused on balance training)
• An instructor who is qualified and experienced
• A supportive environment, whether it’s an online exercise studio, a local class, or a friend who can be your exercise buddy.

You’ll feel more confident and motivated to keep going with the right program and a supportive community.

Start Small and Build Momentum

Once you’ve reflected, envisioned your future, and found the right program, resist the temptation to set those big goals or resolutions. Start small for long-term success!

• Show up and do something – even if it’s just a few stretches while your coffee is brewing or a five minute walk.
• Celebrate small wins. Success builds motivation and momentum.
• Remember, consistency is more important than perfection. Regular small efforts add up to big results over time.

This approach is the opposite of setting big, daunting resolutions. You can set yourself up for success by taking small, easy steps which you celebrate.

Do You Want to Improve Your Balance This Year?

Would you like to feel steadier on your feet and more confident every day?

We’ve been helping people improve their balance for more than 20 years, and we’d love to help you get started with balance training. We’ve put our best advice into the new Balance Blueprint.

Click here to get your free Balance Blueprint now and start improving your balance today.

Let’s Have a Conversation:

What resolutions did you make this year? What resolutions didn’t you make? Do you think you can commit to improving your balance this year?