As of now, we’re just about three weeks into 2026. It’s a normal practice of human beings to make resolutions for themselves for the new year. Whether it’s something as small or personal as getting some sort of project completed, or something bigger like making some sort of change to benefit your health. The latter is an all-too-common resolution that can either stick or it doesn’t. Unfortunately, it doesn’t often stick for those who try to make it happen.
There can be any number of reasons for people not to follow through on a fitness regimen in at any time, let alone in a new year. It should be known that by no means am I any sort of expert in this field, I am purely amateur. That said, here are some reasons that someone doesn’t follow through on their fitness resolutions, and how to get on a plan and stick to it.
The truth of the matter is, there isn’t any one reason for someone to fall off the proverbial wagon when it comes to a fitness regimen. Some reasons are more common than others. It is often times the lack of a commitment to a routine to ensure a better chance of success and also some sort of accountability. Whatever type of resolution someone might make, it more often than not doesn’t last more than two weeks into the new year. Many personal and athletic trainers will say something similar when it comes to people looking to lose weight and/or get fit in the new year. It often times consists of people taking the wrong approach and not making it a change in their life but needing to alter their lifestyle.
I posed the question to one local athletic trainer with Union Health, Candy King, who echoed that sentiment. She went on to say that it often boils down to people biting off more than they can chew when taking on the challenge. You won’t be able to make drastic changes right away. But if you do the things necessary to start, you’ll plant the seed to be on the path to dropping weight and getting fitter. The matter of dieting can also come into play. It doesn’t necessarily mean you have to become a total vegetarian, though that could be one avenue to go. But you certainly won’t get anywhere consuming nothing but junk.
One thing’s for sure, though. If you’re looking to drop some weight this year, a beefy diet is unlikely to work. It could work, however if you’re looking to add muscle. Some proteins in meat can be useful in adding muscle, as long as you don’t go too overboard. When it comes down to getting fit in the new year or any time, you can’t make your plan too lofty too soon, or you’ll be setting up for disappointment. You’re not going to look like a pro athlete overnight. It’s different for somebody who’s looking to get into shape, or if you’re in shape and trying to either maintain your figure/stay toned or build some muscle.
Most trainers will tell you it is a long-term thing, depending on what you end goal for your fitness is. And if you form a good plan and follow through on it for the long term, you’ll be on your way to feeling better and getting into physically better shape. And thus, you will improve your quality of life.
