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Listen, as we approach the second Friday of January, known as "Quitter's Day," I want to share something important with you.
This isn't just another preachy article about New Year's resolutions. Instead, let's talk about why you might be feeling the urge to quit – and how that feeling could actually be your secret weapon for finally sticking to fitness goals long-term.
Here's the thing: I've spent years helping people find their groove with fitness, from total beginners diving into strength training in the gym to retired go-getters figuring out home fitness routines.
And I've spotted something interesting. The problem? It's rarely about motivation or
willpower. It's all about our approach.
The All-or-Nothing Trap
"The reason we do anything on a regular basis is super simple when you look at the science of how the brain works," I explained in my latest podcast episode about the mental health benefits of exercise.
"We stick to things because they feel comfortable, plain and simple."
But when we set new health goals? Oh boy. We go into full makeover mode.
We toss out every "bad" food in our kitchen, load up on "healthy" groceries, and swear we'll do muscle toning exercises every single day until the end of time. Sound familiar? (I'm betting it does!)
The Edison Method for Sticking to Fitness Goals
Let's talk about Thomas Edison for a second. When he was working on the light bulb, he famously said, "I have not failed 10,000 times, I have successfully found 10,000 ways that will not work."
That right there? That's exactly how we should think about our fitness journey.
If your at-home workouts aren't clicking, or your stress relief exercises aren't hitting the mark, that's not failure – that's just data telling you what needs tweaking.
Making Adjustments, Not Excuses
Feel like quitting? Hold up a second.
Maybe it's just time for a change-up.
If dragging yourself to the gym after work feels impossible, don't throw in the towel completely. Try something different!
Maybe 15-minute strength workouts at home with resistance bands are more your speed.
Or perhaps bodyweight exercises could be your thing.
The magic happens when you find what actually fits into your real life, even just a few minutes of intentional, healthy movement.
"Look at whatever's causing the most friction," I tell my clients, "and just make it easier. That's it. Then see what happens."
Why Regular Reflection Is Essential for Sticking to Fitness Goals
Here's a game-changer: take five minutes every Friday to check in with yourself.
Ask:
What's working well?
What's making you want to bang your head against the wall?
What could you tweak to make this whole process smoother?
This isn't about making excuses – it's about getting real with yourself and finding solutions that stick.
When Quitting Is Actually Progress
Sometimes, quitting parts of your approach is exactly what the doctor ordered.
I tell my clients all the time: "Don't quit on your health goals. Don't quit on becoming your best self. But those specific steps that keep tripping you up? Yeah, those might need a rethink."
The Future of Your Fitness Journey
Picture this: you spend the year making tiny adjustments week by week, learning what works for you.
Maybe you discover that simple posture improvement exercises strengthen your core and lessen neck and shoulder pain, or that some slow-paced stress relief workouts are your jam.
By the end of 2025, you won't just be healthier – you'll have crafted a fitness approach that actually fits your life like a glove.
Key Takeaways:
That all-or-nothing approach? It's usually a recipe for disaster because it's just too much, too fast. Small, doable changes are where it's at.
Use Quitter's Day as your chance to pause, reflect, and adjust – not as your cue to throw in the towel completely.
Those weekly check-ins? They're your secret weapon. Channel your inner Edison and treat each "failure" as valuable intel for your next success.
Does the slow and steady approach resonate with you? Then check out my healthy habit coaching program here: https://www.beginwithin.fit/coaching
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