Back to Blog

FA40 #001: 4 Essential Principles to Finally Reach Your Fitness Goals in 2025

Jan 04, 2025

Is This the Year You Will Finally Reach Your Goals?

Every new year brings motivation, but too often, the same approaches lead to the same results: lack of progress and discouragement. It’s easy to feel like you’re stuck in a cycle. But what if this year could be different?

Adopting these 4 foundational principles will change the trajectory of your fitness journey—but only if you’re willing to put in the work. They are the essential building blocks for lasting transformation. Here’s how to make this year your breakthrough:

 

1. Commit to Consistency, Not Perfection

Why It Matters: Perfection is like that "unicorn" of fitness—rare, mythical, and probably not real. If you wait for everything to be perfect, you’ll never get anywhere. Consistency, on the other hand, is like that reliable friend who shows up even when they’re tired and a little bit late, but still gets the job done. 

How to Apply It: Don’t aim for flawless workouts or the "perfect" diet. Just show up, keep moving, and let the results pile up. It’s like trying to make a cake—it might not look perfect at first, but with enough time, you’ll have something amazing (and edible).

2. Strength Training Is Essential for Building Muscle and Strength

Why It Matters: Strength training is like the secret sauce to a good fitness recipe—without it, you're just eating plain chicken breast and broccoli (no offense to those who love plain chicken breast). If you want muscles that don’t just look good but also do good things (like carrying groceries in one trip), strength training is your best friend.

How to Apply It: Hit the weights a few times a week. Start with basics like squats, deadlifts, and presses—these moves are like the Swiss Army knife of fitness. Sure, cardio’s great for burning fat, but strength training is what makes you feel like a superhero when you pick up that heavy bag of dog food at the store.

3. Fuel Your Body with Healthy Eating, But Stay Flexible

Why It Matters: Eating healthy is like putting premium gas in your car—it helps everything run smoothly. But that doesn’t mean you have to treat every meal like it's a fancy 5-course dinner. Sometimes, you’ve gotta let yourself enjoy a donut without pretending it's "cheat day"—because life’s too short to pass up pizza when it’s right in front of you.

How to Apply It: Focus on whole foods most of the time, but don’t be a food tyrant. A balanced diet is like a dance—you’ve gotta know when to do the cha-cha with a salad and when to break out the moonwalk with some cake. Flexibility keeps it sustainable!

4. Cultivate a Resilient, Positive Mindset

Why It Matters: A resilient mindset is like your mental armor—without it, you’re basically walking around in a paper towel trying to block a storm. Life’s going to throw curveballs—some will miss, some will hit, and some will make you wonder if you’re on the set of a blooper reel. But with resilience, you’ll bounce back like a rubber band (or at least like a really squishy stress ball).

How to Apply It: When things go wrong, don’t throw in the towel. Throw a laugh instead. Embrace setbacks like they’re just life’s weird way of giving you a plot twist. Stay positive, keep going, and remember—if a cat can get knocked off a table and land on its feet, so can you!

This Year, Your Future Self Is Waiting. Will You Answer the Call?

These 4 principles are the essential tools for lasting change. The journey won’t always be easy, but with the right mindset, strength, and consistency, your results will speak for themselves.

Your future self is waiting—will you take the first step?

Craig

----------------------------------

Thanks for reading! Here are some ways that I may be able to help you...

One on One Coaching: Are you a busy adult that wants to get stronger, get leaner, have more energy and build a body you can be proud of? Then you can apply for one on one coaching here.

 

Join the Newsletter: If you like content like this you will enjoy my weekly newsletter, The Fit After 40 Newsletter. I'll share actionable health and fitness tips to help you get lean, stronger, and live a healthy life as an adult. Join 9,500+ subscribers here.