Okay, girl, let's get real about New Year's resolutions for a minute. After 20 years in the health & wellness industry, I've got to spill the tea: those shiny New Year's promises? They typically don't make it past their first month. (Seriously, research shows about 80% of resolutions crash and burn by February, with most folks waving the white flag by the 2nd Friday in January – it's so common they've actually named it "Quitter's Day." Wild, right?!)
But here's the thing – if you've been there, done that with failed resolutions, I want you to know something: it's absolutely not you. It's the whole approach that's messed up!
Why Our Resolutions Usually Face-Plant
Let's talk about what's really going down when resolutions fail. And trust me, after working with hundreds of women over 40, I've seen this movie before. We're literally fighting against our brain's favorite patterns. You know that moment when you're like, "This is it! I'm going to work out EVERY single day!" or "That's it – no more sugar, starting NOW!"
Girl, I get it. That January 1st motivation hits different. But by January 20th? Not so much.
Here's the deal: our brains are kind of like those friends who hate sudden changes. Try to change everything at once, and your brain's like "Nope, not today!" Next thing you know, you're stress-eating those cookies you swore off while watching Netflix instead of doing that workout you planned!
There's a Better Way (Promise!)
Let me tell you about my client "Valerie" (not her real name, because privacy is a thing!). She came to me in January 2023, totally over it after years of resolution fails. Instead of jumping into some intense workout plan, we just... talked. About her crazy schedule as an executive mom, about how her teens had approximately 47 activities each week, about real life stuff.
You know what we did? We found tiny 10-minute windows in her day where she could squeeze in some movement. Not marathon training – just real, doable stuff. By June, she had something she'd never had before: a workout routine she actually stuck with. The game-changer wasn't some secret exercise – it was making it work for her actual life!
Your "Keep It Real" Action Plan
Here's how to make changes that don't make you want to pull your hair out:
Start With Your Real Life (Not Your Fantasy Life) Look, we all wish we had Beyoncé's 24 hours, but let's work with what we've got. What tiny changes could you make without turning your life upside down? Maybe it's a quick morning stretch while your coffee brews, or swapping that afternoon Diet Coke for sparkling water a few days a week. Baby steps, my friend!
Pick Your "Tiny but Mighty" Habit What's the smallest healthy thing you could do consistently without breaking a sweat (figuratively speaking)? Want to eat better? Start by throwing some extra veggies on your dinner plate. Want to move more? How about a 5-minute walk after lunch? I know it sounds almost too easy – that's exactly the point!
Plan for Real Life (Because It Will Happen) Let's be honest – life is messy. Kids get sick, meetings run late, and sometimes Netflix is more tempting than that workout. Instead of beating yourself up, have a backup plan. Missed your morning movement? Cool, what else could you do? Healthy lunch plans went sideways? What's your Plan B? It's not about being perfect – it's about being prepared.
The Real Talk
Listen, as we kick off this new year, I'm challenging you to try something different. Forget those grand, Instagram-worthy resolutions. Let's go for small, actually-gonna-happen changes instead. Pick something that feels almost too easy – because those are the changes that stick around longer than your last situation-ship.
Here's what I know after a decade of working with women just like you: those tiny changes? They're like compound interest for your health. They might not look like much at first, but give them time, and boom – you've got something amazing going on.
Ready to make this year hit different? Start small, keep it real, and watch those baby steps turn into giant leaps. 🥳
Rooting for you!
~Daisha
[Want more real talk about health and wellness after 40? No BS, no crazy fad diets, just straight-up advice and weekly tips that actually work for real life? Jump on my newsletter list – we have fun over there! Click here to join!]
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