New Year Planning Tips from Willow Glen Personal Trainers

We’re just days away from a brand-new year… 

And if you’re anything like us, you’re already thinking about 2026. Our Willow Glen personal trainers see this every year—people wanting change in the new year without wanting burnout.

Here’s a fun little fact: people have been making New Year’s resolutions for over 4,000 years — it’s one of the oldest goal-setting traditions in history!

But here’s the good news: you don’t need an ancient ritual (or a massive January 1st overhaul!) to make the New Year incredible.

In fact, you can start laying the groundwork right now with just a few simple steps to make your transition into 2026 feel seamless (and much less overwhelming).

Here are 5 steps we recommend to our clients (and practice ourselves every year):

1. Reflect first.
Take 10 minutes this week to jot down what worked and what didn’t in 2025, including your habits, routines, and even thought patterns. Getting clear on what does/doesn’t work makes change so much easier.

2. Pick 1–2 anchor habits.
Forget the mile-long resolution list. Choose 1–2  simple, foundational actions like drinking 2 liters of water, getting 7 hours of sleep, or racking up 30 minutes of exercise on your smartwatch. These will keep you consistent when your schedule gets busy.

3. Create an environment for success.
Set yourself up now. Clear the snack cupboard, lay out your workout gear, or prep a few go-to meals. The more you do now to help yourself be successful, the easier it is to follow through.

4. Add accountability.
Whether it’s a workout buddy, coach, or calendar reminder, build a system that keeps you on track when motivation dips. This is where working with personal trainers can make all the difference.