Before looking ahead, consider taking a glance back over 2021.

Did you make a New Year’s resolution in 2021?  How did that go?  Did you achieve your goal?  Did you make it through the first half of the year?  What about the first quarter?

If so, congratulations!!  It’s important to celebrate wins.  For many, even if a goal is achieved, they are not satisfied.  Instead, they quickly look for the next conquest, never truly appreciating the accomplishment.

If you did not achieve your 2021 goal, you are not alone.  The success rate for New Year’s resolutions is dismal.  In fact, of those who make a resolution on January 1, some studies reference a failure rate as high as 80% by February!  They state that the primary culprit is a lack of discipline.

Well, what if this year you can have success without focusing on abstract goals?

You know, goals like getting healthier or lofty goals like losing 25 pounds?  Sure, it’s okay to have such goals, however, reaching them takes a shift in focus to a smaller, achievable, daily task.

The individual tasks are not difficult, albeit, they may be uncomfortable to do consistently.  A few examples are taking some things off of your calendar so you can get more sleep, eating more calories earlier in the day, ditching the alcohol a few times per week, cutting back on takeout, and opting for fresh fruits and vegetables.

It is natural to resist change.  Change feels uncomfortable.  If you are used to being a certain way for so long, creating new habits requires repeating the new behavior over and over until it neutralizes the old behavior.

The Discipline culprit is all about mindset. 

Here are three critical areas that can make all the difference in completing daily tasks and ultimately achieving some hefty goals in 2022.

  1. Have a mindset that embraces the change as being for the better, happier quality of life instead of the more accepted false belief, that healthy changes mean living a boring tasteless existence. You don’t have to give up all sweets and treats but at the same time, why love things that are detrimental to your health?
  2. Determine that you are going to be consistent. Do the small task, like drink 84 oz of water every day, and walk a total of 3 miles by the end of the day.  Make it non-negotiable.
  3. Be patient for lasting results. There are no shortcuts.  Results from years of bad behavior cannot be undone overnight.  Technology can help with the outer appearance, but not with the mindset.  There is no getting around doing the work to live healthy and whole.

To meet — and keep — your resolution is hard work. It takes small changes and conscious decisions made each day rather than sweeping changes. I’d love to help you take your first steps on that journey, which is why I developed the Fresh Start program! Click HERE to learn more about SHINE Yoga Fresh Start classes and how they can help you meet your 2022 New Year’s resolution fitness goals!