Blog

2026: The Year of Progress, NOT Perfection

The last several weeks have been all about the holiday season — festive parties, delicious food, fancy drinks, and tons of fun! But now, you’re just days away from the “New Year, New Me!” season, and let’s be honest — you’ve probably been here before.

January 1st hits and suddenly you’re declaring, “This is the year I’m going to get fit!”…“I’m cutting out all carbs, sugar, and never skipping a workout again!”.

Sound familiar?

You’ve likely set big, ambitious resolutions in the past, only to watch them fizzle out by mid-January.

And, you’re not alone — research shows that around 80% of New Year’s resolutions fail by February!

Why?

Because resolutions are typically built on an all-or-nothing approach that sets you up for burnout and disappointment.  You can’t flip a switch and change everything overnight, especially after months (or years) of routine habits.

As coaches, we’ve seen it time and time again — when you try to overhaul everything at once, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed, defeated and give up altogether.

The truth is, success in 2026 won’t come from cutting everything out or chasing perfection. It’ll come from small, consistent steps that create lasting results!

As you close out the year and think about how you want to feel heading into the new one, it’s time to flip the script, ditch the resolutions and set yourself up for real, sustainable success!

No more crash diets.

No more “all-in” workout plans that only last a few weeks.

It’s time to focus on what actually works — progress, not perfection! Here are three reasons why it’s time to scrap your New Year’s resolutions and start fresh with a smarter, more effective approach! ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

SCRAP THE RESOLUTIONS! Here are 3 reasons why it’s time to scrap your New Year’s resolutions and start shifting your mindset:

#1. The Zero-to-Extreme Mindset: “New Year, New Me” thinking tends to swing between two ends: perfect or failure. You’re either hitting the gym daily and eating 100% clean, or you’re “off track” and giving up completely. That kind of pressure is a motivation killer.

Tip: Instead of aiming for perfection, focus on progress! Start small with achievable goals and make them part of your routine. Small wins add up faster than you think — even ten minutes of movement at home beats doing nothing.  Big picture = consistency is key!

#2. Inevitable Burnout: Every year, millions of people go all in the first few weeks — daily workouts, no carbs, no sugar, no fun — and by February, they’re exhausted. That’s because it’s not sustainable. True progress comes from habits that fit your life.

Tip: Instead of going cold turkey on everything you love, start by making one healthier swap at a time. Add veggies to a meal, schedule three workouts a week, and build from there.

#3. Mind Over Matter: “New Year, New Me” is rooted in the idea that you need to completely change who you are buuuuut, real transformation starts from within (whoa Coach Josh – that is deep!). You don’t need to change who you are; you just need to change how you think.

Tip:  Change your mindset from “I need to change everything” to “I’m ready to make small changes.” Instead of seeing fitness as a burden, enjoy it as a chance to become the best version of yourself. When you view fitness and nutrition as an opportunity to feel better instead of a punishment for past choices, you’ll finally start to enjoy the process and stick with it. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ BETTER THAN RESOLUTIONS: SMART GOALS!

So what should you do instead of setting vague resolutions?  Set SMART goals — goals that are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-based!

SMART goals give you clarity, structure, and accountability. They turn “I want to get fit” into “I will strength train three times per week for 30 minutes.”

They turn “I want to lose weight” into “I will lose 10 pounds by April 1 by focusing on nutrition and consistency.

SMART goals work because they’re rooted in real life — and they keep you motivated as you see progress along the way.  Now that you understand why SMART goals are better than resolutions, here’s a quick roadmap to set your own SMART goal for 2026:

1. Set One Super Specific Goal: Forget vague promises like, “I want to lose weight” or “I’ll eat healthier.” Make one super clear, super specific goal you can track and follow:
  •  “I want to lose 10 pounds by April 1st.”
  •  “I will eat at least two servings of veggies at every meal.”
2. Break It Down into Action Steps: Map out exactly how you’re going to make it happen with action steps to eliminate the guesswork, so you always know what to do and practice habits that support your goal:
  • Exercise 3 times a week: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 6:30 AM.
  • Meal prep every Sunday: Plan lunches and snacks for the week.
  • Get 7 hours of sleep: Set a bedtime alarm on your phone.
3. Set a Deadline: Give yourself a realistic deadline—nothing too rushed, but enough to keep you motivated. Manage expectations and be honest with yourself when planning how long it will take so you are set up for success. For reference, healthy and sustainable averages include 1-2 lbs. of weight per week and for fat loss, 1-2% per month (longer, slower process).
  • Ex: Lose 10 pounds by March 15
  • Build up to exercising 4x/week by February 21
4. Plan for Obstacles: Life happens! This is inevitable and nothing will ever be perfect for you. You might miss a workout or slip up on your nutrition and that’s okay! What matters is how you get back on track. Control what you can by preparing for and eliminating any (avoidable) setbacks ahead of time:
  • Pack your gym bag the night before.
  • Prep/pack breakfast and lunch for the next day
__________________________________________________________________________________________________ 2026 Is Your Year!

Remember, small changes lead to big results. You don’t need perfection — just consistency! Every step counts, and it’s about showing up for yourself, one day at a time.

You don’t have to do it alone.

As your coaches, we’re here to help you create realistic goals, build habits that last, and stay accountable even when life gets messy. Whether it’s carving out time for workouts, learning how to eat for your goals or finding balance through the chaos — we’ve got your back.

As you wrap up 2025, get excited — 2026 isn’t just another year, it’s your year!

The year you take control of your health, feel confident in your body, and make sustainable changes that actually stick.

And here’s the best part: this isn’t another quick-fix challenge or cookie-cutter plan.

Our personalized exercise programs provide you with real coaching, real accountability, and real results. You’ll work 1:1 with a coach, have community support, and get the structure you need to succeed — without extreme diets or hours in the gym.

Are you ready to make 2026 your healthiest, strongest year yet? Let’s make it happen — together!

 

Share the love:

Facebook
X/Twitter
Threads

More from our blog:

The Coaches Blog, Training

When you think about fitness, you may picture treadmills, pickleball, heavy weights, or maybe even a little jazzercize. But there’s […]

The Coaches Blog, Training

A brand new year = a brand-new opportunity to show up for YOU! Before we go sprinting into the next […]

Nutrition, The Coaches Blog

Every New Year, the same question pops up: “What’s the secret? How do I finally lose weight and keep it […]

Nutrition, The Coaches Blog

You step on the scale… You’ve been eating better, exercising more, cutting back on alcohol, maybe even getting to bed […]

Scroll to Top

Fill out the form now and a friendly member of our team will be in touch!