The Transformation Resolution

Reading Time: 5 Minutes

Resolution Season!

Well, it’s the middle of December and the Christmas Season is in full swing! I hope you’ve got your gift list in order. Thanks to my sweet wife and Amazon, my Christmas shopping is done!

If it’s Christmas time, then Resolution Season must be right around the corner! Resolution Season is that time-honored tradition that we practice where we promise ourselves that we’re going to be better humans in the coming new year than we’ve been during this current year. 

According to Statistica, 3 of the top 5 resolutions for 2024 (like in most previous years) were health and fitness-related. See Figure 1. It makes sense! Almost everyone wants to be lighter, fitter, healthier, and look better! 

Unfortunately, delivering on resolutions is a lot harder than making them! Most fitness resolutions are done by March! Gym owners typically note big declines in gym traffic every year starting around the end of February. 

Those resolutions fail for a lot of different reasons:

• Schedule and time conflicts

• Choosing the wrong program

• Lack of motivation

• Lack of quick results

• Injury

• Add your favorite reason here…

When a fitness resolution fails, you’re basically left where you started, plus some frustration and disappointment as an added bonus! (And, all those remaining unused months on that new gym membership!  Hey, I’ve done it, too! )

I’ve decided that resolutions aren’t useful, and I don’t do them anymore! So, let’s talk about what I do instead.

Systems Over Goals

A resolution is basically a goal. And for most guys, the key ingredient in goal attainment is willpower. But, willpower is a finite resource. It’s not unlimited. We allocate our supply of willpower across all of our goals - not just our fitness goals. 

When results start to lag behind our expectations, we’ve been taught to double down on the willpower to tough our way through the situation until our results match our expectations. Sometimes this works. Most of the time it doesn’t. 

The reliance on willpower is the core weakness in our goal-setting, including our resolutions. 

I’m a big fan of Atomic Habits, an excellent book on habits written by James Clear. In his book, Clear points out that “goals are about the results you want to achieve. Systems are about the processes that lead to those results.” (Page 23) 

And, “If you want better results, then forget about setting goals. Focus on your systems instead.” (Page 24)

And finally, “Winners and losers have the same goals. Winners have better systems.” (Page 24)

You get the point that Clear is making here. Systems built on small, incremental daily habits (what he calls atomic habits) are a better way to achieve an outcome than our typical goal-setting exercises, including the traditional resolutions we recommit to every year. 

ThriveLife Is The System

Like I said before - I don’t do resolutions anymore. When it comes to my health and fitness, I’m a systems guy! Here’s the story behind why I’m a systems guy:

On December 13, 2013, my doctor told me that I was a poster child for a heart attack or stroke. I was severely overweight, with high cholesterol and an ugly family history of heart disease. I knew he was right, so I committed to make some changes in the coming new year. 

But, I didn’t make a resolution. My past experience with resolutions was mostly failures. But, I needed fast results this time. So instead, I created a system of small, daily habits that were easy to do.

It started on January 1, 2014. There were no harsh diets or grueling workouts. (And, no gym membership.) My new daily habits included some important dietary changes and a daily walking program along with a few other small changes. 

I did it every day. 

By July 1, 2014, (just six months) I had lost 70 pounds dropped 60 points on my cholesterol, and had unbounded energy.  

That was the beginning of my ThriveLife!

Now, it’s 10 years later…and it’s still working for me every day! Today at age 66, I’m healthier than I was at 50!

My ThriveLife approach can do the same thing for you, too!

Your 2025 Transformation Resolution

Are you looking for a health and fitness transformation in 2025? I’m talking about the kind of transformation that will have your friends and neighbors asking you how you did it!

If you’re looking for a real, sustainable, and remarkable transformation after the holidays, then I respectfully suggest the following resolution to you:

I resolve to build my ThriveLife beginning in January 2025!

I’d love to show you how. 

Merry Christmas! Happy Holidays!

When you’re ready for a true and sustainable fitness transformation, here are three ways I can help you:

#1 - Sign up for this newsletter. Every week, you’ll receive tested, actionable tips and strategies to help you build your own customized version of the ThriveLife that fits your needs, preferences, and personal style. And, it’s free!

#2 - For a Do-It-Yourself approach to the ThriveLife, download your free copy of my new ebook: 6 Smart Moves To Your ThriveLife. Just click the button below.

#3 - When you’re ready to join a community of other busy 50+ Guys building their ThriveLives together, check out my new ThriveLife Transformation course. The ThriveLife Transformation guides you through a 30-day transformation process which includes online video training and daily support and assistance through our online community. Join alone or bring your friends. To learn more about the ThriveLife Transformation, click the button below.

Do You Know Somebody?

Do you know a 50+ Guy who’s struggling with their weight and fitness? Please consider sharing this information with them. Just forward your copy of this email to them. It might change their life!

(Or, give them a free copy of my 6 Smart Moves ebook!)

Thanks for reading this week.

I write this newsletter to make a positive impact on the lives of 50+ Guys and their families. If you found this information useful, please consider subscribing to receive new editions each week.

If you’d like to share a thought, a question or comment with me, you can simply reply to this email. I’d love to hear from you!

Follow me on the socials for daily tips and strategies for living your ThriveLife:

Here’s a recent post from my X (Twitter) account.