Part 1: Setting the Stage for 2025 - Build a Solid Foundation for Your Fitness Journey

The New Year is a perfect, albeit stressful, time to kick start healthier habits. By the time you read this, January has already passed but not to worry! You can start ANY TIME! Once the initial excitement of a big goal fades, you may find yourself wanting to give up early… does mid-February sound about right? Let’s prevent that!

The first of our three-part series will explore how to set realistic goals, create a personalized plan, and, most importantly, build an environment that supports long-term success.

1. Define Your “Whys” After Your “Whats”

• Source Your Motivation: What is driving you to get healthier or in better shape? Whether it’s for improved health, more energy, or stress relief, a clear “why” will keep you moving forward. Creating a feeling or an attachment to what it is that you are going after hugely reinforces you doing it.

• Write It Down: Once you decided what you want and why you want it, write down the reasons that it is important to you. How will it change your life as you know it? This personal mission statement will serve as a reminder when your motivation wanes.

  
  

2. Set Your Goals

• SMART Goals: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound goals help you see clear milestones. Instead of “I’ll exercise more,” try “I’ll take a 30-minute walk every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.”

• Eat the Elephant: Divide larger goals into smaller, weekly objectives that make your progress tangible and manageable. Remember that it all starts with the first step, the first minute of doing something. You build from wherever YOU are NOW, not the person you are

  aiming to become.

  
  

3. Set The Stage

• Schedule Your Workouts: Add these to your calendar as non-negotiable appointments. Treat them like important meetings that you cannot miss. Just remember not to overload yourself- nobody likes a week full of meetings either! Starting with even just 1 scheduled workout on your calendar will make it easier to add more.

• Create a Backup Plan: Life happens and typically not according to plan. Have alternatives like home workouts or quick 15-minute sessions for busy days that you can’t make it into the gym. In your free time, save quick workout videos on your favorite media platforms to queue up when the occasion arises.

• Gear Up: Invest in comfortable clothing and any necessary equipment so you’re ready to exercise, rain or shine. The right tools absolutely matter for the job!

  
  

4. Establish an Environment for Success

• Be a Part of a Community: Whether it’s a local running club, a fitness class, or an online group, having support makes all the difference when starting your fitness journey. Having friends around you will not only make the experience much more enjoyable but it has the added benefit of a built in accountability system.

• Location, Location, Location: Create a specific spot at home or choose a nearby park where you feel energized to move. Choose a gym that makes you feel comfortable and not stressed. Be around people that uplift you rather than pressure you to be something that you are not. This is YOUR journey, after all.

  
  

New Years is exciting with opportunities abound but it can be very stressful as well. With constant pressures places on each of us to continuously improve while juggling life’s challenges, it’s no wonder that a few balls get dropped. With clear goals, proper planning, and a supportive environment, you can be well on your way to sustainable life changes… if that is your intention. Just remember to ask yourself not only “Does this matter me?” but also “Why does this matter to me?” In our next post, we’ll discuss strategies to keep your motivation high and ensure that you stay accountable when the going gets tough. See you soon!