Setting Goals That Actually Stick
Is it more cliché to post about grand plans for a New Year's resolution on social media, or to be a fitness enthusiast who denounces the shortsightedness of most “new year, new you” goals at the end of December? It’s a tough one, I know!
No matter which camp you’re in (or if you’re a New Year's resolution moderate), any and all motivation to be better is worth taking advantage of. Let’s dig into some of the goalsetting ups and downs so you can utilize the opportunity—no matter when you’re reading this.
It’s no secret that common New Year's resolutions are fairly extreme: an elimination diet (the Whole30, going completely vegan or keto, juice cleanses, etc.), working out every single day for a month straight, or jumping head-first into a terrifying new exercise routine. They’re exciting goals to set because we know it’s going to be a challenge to get through them, but at the same time, having an end date is a great motivator to keep on the path when the going gets tough. The downside, though, is that their craziness rarely makes them anything we can maintain for a meaningful amount of time (and worse than that, they usually fizzle to nothing—alongside any progress we made—when January is over).
This year, try something different. Instead of viewing January (or whatever block of time is ahead of you) as a month of a complete lifestyle change, set your standards a little lower. Even though this may seem like taking the easy way out, my hope is that it’s actually putting long-term success ahead of the “now” gratification of a grueling month. Forgo the momentary satisfaction of a goal that sounds amazing on paper for one that will actually help you live a better life!
Instead of working out every single day, just think how good you’ll feel at this time next year if you set a goal of getting to the gym three days per week for the entire year—and saw it through! Or, instead of a month of complete restrictions in the kitchen, try switching one specific meal per day to a really healthy one. A short period of hard work may feel fulfilling in the moment, but all that effort doesn’t do us any good if it’s so strenuous that we resort back to our old ways when the timer goes off.
Making our goals into sustainable lifestyle changes not only creates habits that we can live with but also serves as a catalyst for even more change later. That one healthy meal per day can really easily turn into two once we realize how simple that small adjustment was!
Removing the standard month of intense New Year's resolutions isn’t the exciting route, I know. But, keep your true endpoint in mind and remember that not all goals need to be a complete slog to be worth the effort! Wouldn’t it actually be a relief to know that the next month won’t be a complete pain as you begin to make incremental changes and that you're setting yourself up for true success down the line? I think so.
As with most things in life, this isn’t all or nothing. For some, there’s a happy and productive middle-ground in utilizing an intense start to an endeavor and then transitioning to a sustainable habit after the initial month is over. If that’s you, go for it! Just be clear about your expectations before you begin.
We see it all the time in the gym: those who exercise some lifestyle moderation are the ones who tend to be the happiest and most successful in reaching their goals in the long run. Whatever you want to achieve—and no matter which path you chose to get there—I hope you take a step back and examine the big picture as you begin tracking down what matters most to you. Choose what you want to pursue, make a plan for getting there, and get to work! If you need help, get in touch with one of your coaches. We’re in a constant process of trial and error with all things health and fitness and would love to help you in your endeavors!