The New Year brings with it a sense of renewal—a clean slate to start fresh and tackle our goals head-on. But if you’ve felt like you’ve exhausted your options in building strength, improving your health, or achieving lasting fitness results, you’re not alone. Many of us start January with big aspirations, only to feel stuck by February. The key to breaking out of this cycle? Setting achievable fitness milestones and building habits that stick.
This isn’t about perfection. It’s about progress. Here’s how you can take actionable steps toward your fitness goals and make 2025 the year you finally see results.
1. Start with SMART Goals
Most resolutions fail because they’re vague or overly ambitious. Instead, set SMART Goals—Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.
For example:
- Vague Goal: “I want to get stronger.”
- SMART Goal: “I want to increase my squat by 20 pounds over the next three months by training three times a week.”
SMART goals give you clarity and direction. They break down big aspirations into manageable steps. If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed, this framework can help you focus and stay consistent.
2. Work with a Coach for Guidance and Accountability
If you’ve ever felt like you’re spinning your wheels at the gym, it might be time to work with a coach. A good coach does more than just create workout plans—they help you stay accountable, adjust your strategy as needed, and offer encouragement when the going gets tough.
Think of a coach as your fitness GPS. You tell them where you want to go, and they help you find the most efficient route, avoiding dead ends and unnecessary detours.
3. Start Small and Keep It Simple
One of the biggest mistakes people make is trying to overhaul their entire lifestyle all at once. But here’s the thing: you can’t do everything at once.
When I feel overwhelmed, I pause, take a breath, and reevaluate. I list the three most important things I need to tackle. Everything else gets delegated or dropped. Why? Because most of the time, it’s not necessary.
The same principle applies to your fitness journey. Instead of trying to hit the gym five days a week, start with two. Instead of completely cutting out sugar, focus on drinking more water. Master one habit, then stack the next one on top.
Remember: “We aren’t starting over every time we fail or seek out a new goal. We’re starting from experience.” Build the habits, get the reps in, and develop the skills. Growth happens one step at a time.
4. Take Action Today
The biggest obstacle to progress is waiting for the “perfect time.” Here’s the truth: the perfect time doesn’t exist. The best time to start is now. Even the smallest action—signing up for a program, committing to a single workout, or setting your first SMART goal—can set the wheels in motion.
Ready to Build Better Habits?
If you’re ready to take the next step in your fitness journey, our Golden Habits Challenge starts February 1st! This 28-day Habit Stacking Challenge is designed to help you develop the skills and routines you need to create lasting change.
Together, we’ll focus on small, actionable steps to transform your habits into skills—and skills into results.
