by: Stephanie Jones (pg

by: Stephanie Jones

2022 is upon us! January seems to be the time of year when we are fired up and ready to make changes. Gym memberships are up, healthy foods are on our list, this is going to be the year we lose that weight, get into shape and finally start living our dream life.

In fact, when it comes to resolutions, these are the top 3 things on people’s list: 54% have “start exercising” 48% have “eating healthy” 44% say “saving money”

These are all great resolutions and goals but suddenly February rolls around and we can’t seem to remember where we even wrote our goals down, much less are we accomplishing them. Over 64% of us stop working on our goals by the 3rd week of January!

So what causes this and how do you finally make this year your best ever?

Let’s start with some science. According to the Science Daily, 70% of people never accomplish their goals and 80% of people never accomplish their resolutions. So do goals work, but resolutions don’t? It doesn’t appear so. What seems to be the missing puzzle piece is an action plan.

Does that mean that you should throw in the towel and not set any goals or resolutions for 2022?

ABSOLUTELY NOT!

The way to accomplish a goal or resolution is to have a plan. And to review the plan on a regular basis. And to have actionable steps that support your goals.

Goals should excite you and push you outside of your comfort zone but often people make ambiguous, unrealistic goals. A goal such as “This will be the year I finally get healthy” doesn’t have the making of a goal that is achievable.

Setting a SMART goal to get healthy makes sense and allows for you to have actionable steps to achieve your goal without it feeling like work.

SMART goals are: Specific, Measurable, Actionable, Relevant and Time Sensitive

So instead of saying “This is the year I am going to finally get healthy” set the goal of:

Drink 1 gallon of water a day Lose 10 pounds over 90 days Exercise 3x a week

Then set actionable steps to support your goals.

These could look like: Set up a tracking system for your daily water intake Set a goal to increase your water intake by 1-2 glasses per day until you reach your goal of 1 gallon per day.

Actionable steps for losing weight could look like this:

Clean out all of the junk food in your house Replace with healthy alternatives Have a meal plan Set up a reward system (that is not food driven) for when you reach your monthly goal towards your bigger goal You can break down every goal into actionable steps. Review these weekly to see if you need to adjust to stay on track. This system will help you work towards your goals on a regular basis, helping you to actually accomplish them.

So no matter what term you choose to attach to your dreams - goals or resolutions - the real key is to have a system in place to move the needle on a regular basis to accomplish them. This is how you finally start to cross those big ideas and dreams off your bucket list and start actually living the life you desire to!

I encourage you to walk into 2022 with your head held high, not feeling defeated by 20202021 and with a clear plan of action, systems and organization.

Give up the fad diets, the hate of your body and turn the leaf into a new version of you. The healthier (in all ways - mental, physical and emotional) you, so that you can be the best version of yourself. Find sustainable ways to be the healthiest version of you!

Since exercise and eating healthy aka YOUR BODY is #1 on the majority of people’s minds and lists to change - let’s talk about it.

Fad diets don’t work and gyms are expensive. There is nothing wrong with the gym but if you are struggling with time and/or cold hard cash, then I want to offer you some alternatives.

Sustainable, sometimes small, changes make the biggest impact and create a domino effect.

Health: The best thing you can do for your body and mental clarity is to increase your water. Water flushes toxins from your system, keeps you hydrated and that natural glowing skin. Strive for a gallon a day.

Next - eat whole, unprocessed foods as much as possible. Try making your favorite take out meal at home, skip the frozen food section and make something quick and easy instead. Stretch your culinary muscles!

Lastly, shop the perimeter of the store. This is where you find all of the whole foods - produce, dairy, breads, cheeses, etc. And if you can’t pronounce something on a box, you probably shouldn’t eat it.

Try swapping out 1 thing a week. Try a new item from the produce section that you haven’t ever before. Try your hand at making bread, or that dessert that you crave and love.

These small changes will help you to gain control of your health and not feel restrictive.

Exercise: In the US we think we have to hit the gym hard for hours a day to look like any in shape person we admire. That is not true though!

Walking for even just 15 minutes a day is good for your body, your heart and your health.

Jump roping for 10 minutes is equivalent to a 30 minute jog. (by the way - unless you jump rope on a regular basis, it’s tough!)

Hula Hooping, roller skating, dancing - all burn calories, are fun and get your blood pumping.

So while strength training is necessary for healthy, strong bones - mix it up! Don’t make working out be a chore, find something you love to do and do that! You will stick with it longer and you will make healthier choices the more active you are.

Be in the top 5% of people who actually make a plan and have actionable steps to achieve the dream life you desire! You can do it! I am rooting for you!