Why Resolutions Fail & How Coaching Can Help

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The actual phrase “New Year Resolution” first appeared in a Boston newspaper in 1813, but the specifics of these renewed commitments have evolved over thousands of years. In the western world, it most often involves setting enduring goals of self-improvement annually as the coming year approaches. Globally, there is a universal desire for new hope, fresh starts, and celebrated traditions.

Regardless of the day it is celebrated, the new year represents a blank slate and a time for reflection on past achievements and challenges. This process of reflection encourages self-awareness and inspires action, making resolutions a popular way to establish structure and intention for the year ahead. However, while resolutions are widely embraced, many people struggle to stick to them.

That’s because poor planning with an overall lack of strategies to overcome obstacles often lead one’s resolutions to fall by the wayside after a few weeks. Effectively making and maintaining resolutions requires thoughtful preparation and realistic approaches to ensure long-term success. By focusing on achievable objectives, individuals can prioritize their time, energy, and resources to drive lasting positive change.

Resolutions versus Habits

Every year, millions of people start January with ambitious resolutions, especially weight loss goals like daily gym workouts, cutting out all carbs, or losing 50 pounds by December. While these are deserving aspirations, they often falter because they lack the actionable structure needed to succeed. Unfortunately, vague goals can quickly feel overwhelming and sudden drastic changes put the body and mind under a lot of stress that makes them harder to achieve.

Resolutions also tend to represent people’s shift from overindulgent holiday habits to highly restrictive dietary intake that can trigger the release of hunger hormones, making sustainable weight loss even more challenging and less likely. Instead of aiming for too rapid of personal changes, focus on achievable goals that will allow you to build habits over time. For example, replace hitting the sofa after work for early evening TV with a brisk walk or session on the treadmill.

Additionally, don't forget to celebrate small victories along the way. Every milestone, no matter how small, is worth acknowledging and celebrating. This positive reinforcement can help keep you motivated and focused on making progress rather than getting discouraged by setbacks. Moreover, restoring health and fitness involves much more than just losing weight. It's about nourishing the body with nutrient-rich foods, getting enough sleep, managing stress, and finding enjoyable activities to move your body.

Incorporate MRC into Your Weight Loss Journey

The traditional holiday season is often marked by overconsumption of high-calorie meals, sugary treats and festive drinks, which explains the industry’s aggressive online push to entice people with quick-fix solutions. However, at the medical weight loss clinic St. Augustine, we encourage setting realistic and balanced New Year’s resolutions as a way to reset unhealthy habits and address the effects of holiday overindulgence.

Sustainable weight loss isn’t about quick fixes, the latest fad diet or over-eager gym workouts. It’s about addressing the underlying causes of unintended weight gain, including emotional triggers and/or hormonal imbalances. This is needed to create and adopt the lasting habits that support long-term healthy living. Chasing rapid results without a solid strategy like a personalized weight loss plan most often leads to burnout and discouragement.

One of the most crucial elements of successful weight loss is having a strong support system, whether it’s a weight-loss community, professional one-on-one coaching, or both. For over 35 years, the Metabolic Research Center has been a trusted name in promoting health and body positivity. Their personalized approach combines expert guidance with an encouraging and understanding environment focused on building sustainable habits for long-term success.