As we approach a new year, conversations around New Year’s resolutions start popping up everywhere—what we’re going to quit, cut out, restrict, or finally “get under control.” This was the conversation I started having with my husband as we boarded our holiday flight this week.
And while reflection is valuable, I want to offer a slightly different perspective as you think about 2026.
If you choose to make a resolution this year, I believe it can be far more powerful and far more sustainable, to focus on something you want to ADD, rather than something you want to eliminate.
Why Adding > Eliminating
Elimination-based resolutions often come from a place of frustration or self-criticism:
“I need to stop being inconsistent.”
“I need to quit sugar.”
“I need to stop missing workouts.”
These goals aren’t wrong, but they can feel heavy and hard to sustain. When we focus only on what we’re trying to remove, we don’t always give ourselves a clear path forward and personally, this approach has always made me want to rebel! Maybe a personality trait?
Addition-based intentions, on the other hand, are rooted in growth and support:
Adding movement that feels good
Adding structure to your week
Adding moments of care, fuel, or recovery
Instead of asking “What’s wrong with me?”, we ask:
“What would support the version of me I’m becoming?”
The Power of Action-Based Intentions
One of the biggest reasons resolutions fail is that they’re too broad or elusive:
“Get healthier”
“Be more consistent”
“Take better care of myself”
Good intentions—but hard to act on.
For an intention or habit to actually stick, it needs to be:
Specific
Actionable
Repeatable
If you can’t clearly answer “What does this look like on a random Tuesday?”, it’s probably too vague.
How to Create a Habit That Actually Sticks
Here’s a simple framework you can use when setting an intention for 2026:
1. Choose One Thing to ADD
Ask yourself:
What would make my days feel more supported?
What’s one small behavior that would positively impact my energy, consistency, or mindset?
Examples:
Add two strength sessions per week. Figure out what days and times that would be possible.
Add a 10-minute walk after dinner
Add 30 grams of protein to breakfast.
Add a consistent bedtime routine
2. Anchor It to an Existing Routine
Habits stick best when they’re attached to something you already do.
Instead of:
“I’ll stretch more.”
Try:
“After I brush my teeth at night, I’ll stretch for 5 minutes.”
Instead of:
“I’ll move more.”
Try:
“On Mondays and Thursdays, I’ll attend class or complete my workout.”
3. Keep It Intentionally Small
You don’t need a complete life overhaul on January 1st.
Small actions done consistently > big actions done occasionally. One of my clients shared with me that her 2025 resolution was to make her bed every morning. A small task that really had a huge mental impact on her over the year. She was able to stick to this new habit and feels great about her accomplishment!
If it feels almost too easy, you’re probably doing it right.
4. Measure by Follow-Through, Not Perfection
Success isn’t:
Never missing a workout
Eating “perfectly”
Staying motivated all year
Success is:
Returning after a missed day
Keeping promises you made to yourself more often than not
Building trust in your own consistency
A Gentle Reminder as You Enter 2026
You don’t need to become a new person this year.
You don’t need to “fix” yourself.
You might just need to add one supportive habit that makes showing up feel more doable.
At Body By Hannah, we believe progress is built through intentional action, consistency over intensity, and habits that fit into real life—not against it.
If you choose a resolution for 2026, let it be something that adds strength, structure, or care to your life. And remember—you don’t have to do it alone. 💛
