New Year, New You… Again: A Hoosier’s Guide to Goals That Actually Stick

Every January in Indiana starts the same way. The holidays end, the Christmas lights come down, and suddenly we’re staring at our reflection thinking, “Alright, this is the year.” The year we finally exercise regularly. The year we stop pretending ranch dressing doesn’t count. The year we say no to breaded tenderloins the size of a hubcap.

And by February? Well… there’s a reason Planet Fitness stays packed for exactly six weeks.

The Midwest Reality Check

Setting New Year’s goals in the Midwest hits different. This isn’t Southern California, where people jog year-round in shorts.... Well, we all know that one guy... This is Indiana, where January workouts require shoveling a path to the garage and convincing yourself that 12 degrees “isn’t that bad.” We’re up against comfort food, long winters, and social events where casseroles show up uninvited but never leave untouched.

So, when we say we want to “eat clean” or “get in shape,” what we usually mean is “I’d like to feel better without giving up everything that makes life enjoyable.” And honestly? That’s a fair goal. Example, I like peanut butter.... maybe don't eat it out of the jar with a spoon...

Exercise: The Part Everyone Overcomplicates

Here’s the truth: you don’t need a perfect routine, matching outfits, or a smartwatch that costs more than your first car. You need consistency. Walking the neighborhood roads, lifting a few weights in the basement, or even doing body-weight exercises during commercial breaks counts. Especially in Indiana, where getting outside in winter is already an act of courage.

The biggest mistake? Going from zero to CrossFit champion overnight. That’s how you end up sore, frustrated, and quietly canceling a gym membership by March. Progress that works is boring. It’s unglamorous. And it’s effective.

Dieting: Where Good Intentions Go to Die

Every New Year brings a new wave of “cut carbs,” “detox,” or “reset your metabolism” promises. And let’s be honest—most of us know better, but hope springs eternal. Especially when someone from high school suddenly becomes a “nutrition coach” on Facebook. I love this one!! I also love the before and after pictures when you are REALLLLY not sure which is which.

These MLM gimmicks thrive on desperation and January guilt. Miracle shakes, fat-melting teas, and supplements with names that sound like prescription drugs all promise fast results with minimal effort. What they rarely mention is that lasting change doesn’t come from a powder or a monthly auto-ship.

In the Midwest, Wells County specifically for me, food is community. It’s family dinners, church potlucks, and weekend cookouts. Sustainable dieting means learning balance—not eliminating everything you love. You can eat better without swearing off pizza forever. You just might not need three slices every time.

What Actually Works (Even Here in Indiana)

Real success comes from small, repeatable habits:

• Move your body most days, even if it’s just a walk.

• Eat like an adult most of the time, not like you’re being punished.

• Allow room for real life—birthdays, holidays, and yes, tenderloins.

Most importantly, stop chasing perfection. No one wins this game by being flawless. They win by being patient.

So, if your New Year’s goal is to feel healthier, stronger, or more confident this year, don’t fall for the gimmicks or beat yourself up when motivation fades. Build habits that survive winter, survive social gatherings, and survive being human in Indiana.

Because the real “new you” isn’t created in January—it’s built one ordinary, sometimes cold, sometimes carb-filled day at a time.