Ditch the Resolutions, Build a Lifestyle: Your Guide to Crushing 2025
Hey everyone, Matt here from On Target Living (OTL), and let's be real – New Year's resolutions rarely work. We start January with the best intentions, only to find our motivation fizzling out faster than a cheap firework.
But what if this year could be different? What if, instead of setting ourselves up for failure with restrictive resolutions, we used proven strategies to actually make 2025 our healthiest year yet?
If you haven't recently, can I suggest you revisit my dad's book, "REST EAT MOVE," trust me, it will reignite your passion for creating lasting change.
As a quick refresher, I want to dive into how you can ditch resolutions and make this year truly transformative.
Understanding Your Inner "Operating System"
Think of your brain like a smartphone. It has different processing modes: conscious, subconscious, and unconscious. When building new habits, you start in conscious mode – it takes mental effort and focus. This is why willpower alone often fails!
The key is to shift those healthy habits from conscious effort to subconscious autopilot. Just like you don't have to think about brushing your teeth anymore, we want healthy choices to become automatic.
The Power of Your "Why"
Most people focus on what they want to do, not why. In "REST EAT MOVE," Chris shares the story of Joan, who at 65 lost over 150 pounds. Her motivation wasn't just about the scale; she yearned to ride motorcycles with her husband again. That deep emotional connection fueled her success.
Take a moment now to find your "why." Maybe it's playing with your grandkids, traveling the world, or feeling confident in your own skin. Write it down and keep it visible.
The Small Steps Strategy
Your brain resists drastic change. Instead of a January overhaul, pick ONE small change to master.
In the book, he tells the story of a dentist who never exercised. He started with 10-minute walks, which led to working with a trainer and improving his diet. One small change created a ripple effect.
Here's how to apply this:
- Choose ONE habit for January. Make it tiny – like taking OTL's Alaskan Cod Liver Oil every morning. It's easy, delicious, and takes about 15 seconds.
- Once it's easy, after 3-4 weeks, add another habit like daily Flash Frozen Wheatgrass or Spirulina Chlorella tabs.
- Keep building slowly. By next year, you'll have 12 new healthy habits!
The Journey Map
There's five stages of habit formation:
- Honeymoon Phase: Excitement and motivation are high.
- Reality Check: Things get harder.
- Valley of Despair: Where most people quit.
- Habit Formation: Push through, and it gets easier.
- Ritual Phase: Your new behavior is automatic.
Knowing these stages prepares you for challenges. When motivation dips (and it will), remember it's normal, not failure.
Setting Yourself Up for Success
Here are some actionable strategies:
- Environment Triggers: Want to exercise in the morning? Put your workout clothes and gym shoes by your bed.
- Feedback Loop: Track your progress – use a journal, measurements, photos, or how your clothes fit. Seeing progress is motivating!
- Support System: Share your goals with supportive people. Find a workout buddy or join the OTL community online.
Making 2025 Different
Lasting change isn't about overhauls or strict rules. It's about understanding your mind, connecting with your "why," and taking small, consistent steps.
Give yourself permission to start small. Choose one tiny habit. Focus on progress, not perfection. Every time you follow through, you build self-trust.
The secret to change is focusing your energy on building the new, not fighting the old.
What's YOUR first small step going to be? Define, take action, and let's make this your best year yet!