With 2026 right around the corner, it’s time to think about setting your New Year’s resolutions. These are the goals you want to accomplish for the upcoming year. Many people set lofty goals, while some do not even bother. The most common resolutions are related to fitness and exercise routines.
If you have a gym membership, you will most likely see many new faces in the gym right after January 1st. These are the people who have told themselves that next year they will implement new health and fitness-related changes in their lives. Unfortunately, after a few weeks, the determination wears off, and people don’t establish a routine.
This is not the case for everyone. In fact, some people manage to keep the commitment and do incredibly well. If you decide to work out more in the new year, do you think you will maintain consistency? If you are unsure, it’s best to set clear and achievable fitness goals and not simply go into it with a vague idea of the types of exercise you will do. Whatever you do, start small and strive for consistency. The easier it is to start, the less likely you are to quit. Here are three suggestions for sensible and easy fitness goals for 2026:
1. Stay hydrated at all times
Staying hydrated should be your top fitness goal. Hydration is one of the most important things you can do to benefit your body. Think of it as your foundation and starting point on your journey. “Dehydration can reduce strength, endurance, and focus.” All of these can interfere with what you set out to achieve.
It’s very easy to forget to drink enough fluids in a day. It may not seem all that important, or perhaps you don’t feel thirsty throughout the day, but there is a big difference in your body between being hydrated and not. Studies show that we perform better physically and mentally when we hydrate. My suggestion is to keep a reusable bottle (e.g., Owala, Stanley, etc.) with you all day, and you won’t forget to hydrate!
2. Take more steps in a day and track them
One of the easiest and least painful ways to stay fit is to walk. Many of us spend the majority of our day seated. This is not only unhealthy for our hearts, but it’s also not good for our muscles and tendons. Find a way to incorporate walking into each day. Whether you use some of your free time to do laps inside or outside of the school, or walk in your neighborhood or even on a treadmill, you will surely see the benefits.
Park farther away from the gym, school, the grocery store, or your work. The small steps go a long way in increasing your daily steps. The Mayo Clinic states that walking helps to “maintain a healthy weight and lose body fat, improve cardiovascular fitness, strengthen your bones and muscles, strengthen your immune system, increase energy levels, and much more.”
3. Weight resistance training is medicine
The National Library of Medicine posted an article in 2012 that declared that weight resistance training is “medicine.” They state that the “benefits of resistance training include improved physical performance, movement control, walking speed, functional independence, cognitive abilities, and self-esteem.” You can even choose exercises that you can do in your room without any weights, including pushups, squats, lunges, and more.
With roughly two weeks to go before the clock strikes midnight on 2025, there is plenty of time to start your planning. Even the smallest changes can make a big difference. Cheers to our New Year’s resolutions!
