For the person who feels hesitant to set New Years goals

As we step into 2026, I find myself thinking differently about change, goals, and discomfort.

I’m currently reading The Comfort Crisis, and it’s been challenging me in the best way. It has reminded me how much growth lives just outside what feels easy and how often we avoid that space without even realizing it. Over the last few years, I’ve been less inclined to set New Year goals. Part of that hesitation comes from the fear of not achieving them. Another part comes from knowing the work required to get there. Comfort is tempting. Familiarity feels safe.

This week, though, I was reminded of why discomfort matters.

One of our Rise members is approaching one full year into her fitness journey. She’s down 30 pounds. On day one, if you had asked her what mattered most, it would have been that number alone. Now, her perspective has completely shifted. She doesn’t care how long the process takes. She wants to be strong. She wants to earn every pound of body fat lost and every bit of muscle gained because those changes represent consistency, effort, and resilience. Her weight loss goal didn’t disappear, but it evolved. 

As we are only a couple of days into the new year, it feels like the perfect time for a reminder inspired by Atomic Habits, a book I highly recommend if you haven’t read it yet. We often underestimate the power of small, daily improvements. Real change rarely happens overnight. More often, it’s the result of years of showing up in little ways, over and over again. Until one day, we notice there’s been a big shift in our lives.

So as you think about who you want to be one year from now, don’t play it safe. Don’t get to the end of 2026 only wishing you had taken a risk, started sooner, or believed in yourself a little more. Even if you set a goal and only make it halfway there, you will still be stronger, wiser, and more capable than if you never tried at all.

Here’s something to chew on: If nothing changes, nothing changes.

Discomfort isn’t a sign you’re doing something wrong. Often, it’s proof that you’re finally doing something different.

If part of pushing yourself out of your comfort zone includes dialing in on your fitness and nutrition, we’d love to help you get there. You can sign up for a Free Fitness Consultation to sit down with our team and learn more about personal training at Rise.