21 Feb 7 Reasons To Start Working Out Even After the New Years Resolutions Wear Off

7 Reasons To Start Working Out Even After the New Years Resolutions Wear Off

Are you one of those people that just can’t get going now that it’s February? Maybe you didn’t even start what you wanted to. Either way, it’s game time. At the start of the new year, many people feel a sense of hope and a fresh start, which motivates them to set year’s resolutions. Making resolutions is a longstanding tradition, but sticking to them is often a challenge. According to surveys, most new year’s resolutions are related to health and finance, but change is difficult, which is a primary reason resolutions fail. In fact, the second Friday in January is often called ‘Quitter’s Day’ because so many people fall off their resolutions by then. If you’ve struggled, you’re not alone. 70% of adults opt-out of setting New Year’s resolutions altogether.

Usually, the struggle comes down to habits. People have time to fit in something, but you need to actually put it in and make it a regular habit. Tracking your progress is essential for achieving your New Year’s resolutions, and regularly evaluating your goals and progress allows for adjustments as needed.

Others are still pre-contemplating even starting due to either fear, money, or maybe laziness. No matter where you find yourself, I get it. I have issues like this in other areas of my life where maybe you don’t. Life is wonderfully funny that way.

This morning I was reading chapter 3 of the book Blissful Ignorance, that talks about entrepreneurial life and how to create the business you want. The author spoke exactly on this area I just mentioned. He was typically great at fitness, which is why he started a fitness product focused company, but he wasn’t as organized and/or balanced you might say. I resonated with that heavily.

That’s part of why I’m writing this today.

It takes a lot of guts to make changes, but you do need to take responsibility for your life.

Health and fitness I do believe should not be the last on your list, but either way, at some point, you need to look in the mirror. Figure out what’s missing. I find the following helps nail things down more quickly when I’m stuck.

There are 7 value areas of life:

1. Physical
2. Mental
3. Emotional
4. Spiritual
5. Financial
6. Career
7. Educational

I’m sure there are other sources for adding an 8th area or changing the way one of these are worded, but that’s not the point. The point is to look at each one and then start focusing on the immediate one or two where you want to and are able to make the needle move. Even a little. Even if you don’t think you can.

Focusing on fewer goals can help prevent overwhelm and increase the likelihood of success. Setting smaller, achievable goals is key to making positive changes. Achievable goals are more realistic and help you stick to your resolutions.

Usually that’s part of the problem anyways. People don’t think they can.

That’s okay. That means you’re normal and just need to address an area or two. Oftentimes that means you need to get help.

So for this article I’ll just use one as an example. The easy and most appropriate for this post and given I’m a personal trainer and running coach is…you guessed it! Physical.

Now what goes within physical? You of course have your body, but within that is cardio and strength. Oh and mobility. Flexibility. Nutrition…can’t forget that monster. We could get more nuanced, but we don’t need to.

When it comes to physical health, set specific, actionable goals like eat healthier, drink more water, eat more vegetables, and cut back on ultra-processed foods. Scheduling annual health screenings can help you stay on top of your health. Even making your bed every morning can create a sense of accomplishment and set a positive tone for the day.

Don’t forget about mental health. Small actions, like buying yourself flowers, can improve your mood and well-being.

The point is to not just guess.

Meaning, just work out. I mean, some of you may just need to start. Maybe even most people. That’s not my point. The point is to find where YOU are and then focus there first. Giving you some momentum. Then, work off of that momentum and tackle the next one.

Rarely does it work to quit drinking an average of 3 pops a day, to zero. Another example being exercise. Let’s say you haven’t exercised in 3 years, or ever. Well, then just randomly getting good at that, while stopping pop, while eating more veggies, living a normal life, going to work where you’re probably stressed….you get the point.

It takes time, which is usually where people flounder. I’ve been there. In my profession and in my health. I’ve tried this with my health. Especially with food and running combined. Now I know better.

To increase your chances of success, use SMART goals—Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-Bound. Setting SMART goals helps create more realistic and actionable resolutions, provides structure, and expands your planning beyond vague intentions. When getting started, it’s important to have a clear plan and a defined time frame for your goals. Writing down your goals as a to do list can help you commit and track your progress.

Building new habits takes practice and consistency. Track your progress, celebrate small wins, and remember that the process is ongoing. If you fall off, reflect on what barriers got in the way and adjust your plan as needed. Every week is a new opportunity to make it happen.

Go here to find out what you need to do next and let’s make this year the year you get to that ‘place’ you’ve never stayed at, or even been to. I promise it’s more cozy and inviting than you think, or maybe where you are now.

The Problem Isn’t Motivation. It’s the Plan

Most New Year’s resolutions don’t fail because people don’t care. They fail because most people never create a clear plan. Motivation is loud in January, quiet by mid-January, and basically gone by Quitter’s Day. That’s normal. Life happens. Stress shows up. Work, family, money, and responsibilities pull your focus.

A vague goal like “get healthy” or “lose weight” doesn’t survive contact with real life. A realistic, time-bound plan does. One that fits into your daily routine. One that accounts for bad weeks, travel, stress, and the fact that you’re human.

If you want success this upcoming year, stop asking “How motivated do I feel?” and start asking “What’s the next one step I can actually stick to this week?”

SMART Goals Beat Big Promises Every Time

This is where SMART goals matter—not as some corporate buzzword, but as a survival tool.

Specific.
Measurable.
Achievable.
Relevant.
Time-bound.

That might look like:

• Drink more water every morning before coffee
• Eat more vegetables at dinner instead of overhauling your entire diet
• Move your body three days this week, not seven
• Save a small amount toward an emergency fund, not “get rich”

Achieving resolutions isn’t about dramatic change. It’s about achievable goals practiced consistently. That’s how personal growth happens. That’s how you avoid the failure spiral that convinces most people they “just can’t stick to anything.”

You don’t need a perfect plan. You need a smart, sustainable one.

Health Is the Foundation Everything Else Sits On

People like to separate physical health, mental health, career, money, and relationships as if they don’t affect each other. They do. Every single day.

When your body feels better, your stress drops.
When your stress drops, your focus improves.
When your focus improves, your work, finances, and relationships follow.

Most New Year’s resolutions revolve around health for a reason. Want to live longer, show up better for your family and loved ones, build confidence, and create a great year? Start with movement. Not perfection—movement.

Physical health isn’t selfish. It’s the base that allows you to show up for your life.

Progress Is the Win, Not the Finish Line

Too many people quit because they think success means crossing some invisible finish line. That’s not how real change works.

• Progress is showing up again after you fall.
• Progress is adjusting instead of quitting.
• Progress is learning instead of shaming yourself.

You don’t need to win January. You need to stay in the process through February, March, and beyond. Celebrate small wins. Track what’s working. Talk it out. Ask for support from friends, community, or a coach if you need it.

This isn’t about a fresh start that fades. It’s about building habits that stick, one step at a time—so when next January rolls around, you’re not starting over. You’re continuing forward.

And that’s how change actually happens.

Thanks for reading!

Cheers.