How to set intentional goals for 2026 and stick to them 💪

As 2025 comes to a close, it’s natural to feel the pressure to hit reset and become a “new you.” But too often, those New Year’s resolutions we set are unrealistic and hard to stick to, leaving us feeling deflated when we fall short. This year, let’s do things differently and step into 2026 with goals that are achievable, sustainable, and backed by a little motivation. 

What do you want to achieve? 

When it comes to setting goals, the easiest part is picturing the end result, where we want to be. In fitness, that might look like exercising more or eating healthier. While it’s tempting to focus on appearance-based targets, the key is to set goals that are measurable and meaningful. Visible changes take time, consistency, and hard work -  and when progress feels slow, it’s easy to lose motivation. That’s why shifting your focus to small, trackable wins can make all the difference in staying consistent and confident on your journey.

How are you going to get there? 

It’s one thing to set your sights on an end goal but figuring out how to get there is where the real progress happens. This is also where that new year motivation can sometimes blur your focus. As mentioned, it’s all about shifting from appearance-based goals to performance-based ones.

If your aim is to move more, decide how many times a week you’ll train and what that looks like for you. Schedule your workouts, plan where you’ll do them, and treat them as non-negotiable appointments with yourself.

When it comes to nutrition, think about your end goal and how your food choices can support it, whether that’s eating in a calorie deficit, increasing your protein intake, or adding more whole foods to your meals. Once you know what works for you, plan ahead so you’re prepared.

How realistic is this?

This is where many of us unintentionally set ourselves up for failure. When creating resolutions, it’s easy to forget about how they’ll fit into our everyday routines. For instance, promising to hit the gym seven days a week might sound ambitious but with work, social plans, errands, and the need for rest, it’s rarely sustainable. The same goes for committing to a weekly fitness class without considering your schedule, budget, or recovery time.

Your diet deserves the same balance. While meal planning can help you stay consistent, it’s equally important to allow flexibility. Giving yourself permission to enjoy a treat or two won’t derail your progress, in fact, it can help you stay on track long-term. Complete restriction often leads to burnout, not results.As we head into 2026, focus on setting goals that are realistic, intentional, and built around you. Stay consistent, trust the process, and look good while doing it. Shop our latest releases and get ready to make this your strongest year yet https://www.aybl.com/collections/joint-new-releases