New Year, New Ambitions: Have Better Health

Updated November 19, 2025

Every year, some of us set the same New Years Resolution to be in better shape, take better care of our health, or (gulp) lose 20 pounds. I have been one of those people for many years. I start off the year strong and very ambitious, only to give up after a month (if I am lucky.)

Land Acknowledgement

This land has welcomed First Nations from across Turtle Island, and settlers and visitors from around the world. Alberta lands are part of Treaties 4, 6, 7, 8 and 10, and the homeland of the Métis.

Alberta Mamas respects and celebrates the sovereignty, lands, histories, languages, knowledge systems and cultures of all Indigenous, Métis, and Inuit nations. We are striving to better listen, understand, and learn from the Indigenous ways of knowing, being and doing.

We are all Treaty people.

Why I’ve Failed at New Years Resolutions

Over the years, I have found many reasons (or excuses) why I couldn’t stick to my health resolutions:

• the expense for classes started to add up
• I wasn’t seeing results
• things came up and I couldn’t make it to class
• I was so sore all the time
• I wasn’t feeling well enough to exercise
• I lost my motivation
• It just got too hard!

Solving the Resolution Puzzle

A few more years later, I found out that I have been approaching my health resolutions with an all or nothing approach. I would work out like crazy, burn out, and quit.

I didn’t take small steps to reach a bigger or ultimate goal.

Rather than doing an easier workout the day I am sore, I just skipped it altogether.

I didn’t realize that working out for 30 minutes is better than zero minutes. Here are some changes I made and found to work for me.

Just Move

Like I said before, a little bit is better than nothing. Every little bit matters and counts.

As a working mom, I count the following as “bonus” exercise for me:

• Walking up the stairs from the parkade
• doing squats in my office every couple of hours
• power walking to the mall because I only have one hour to shop, eat, and get back to work.

Playing Still Counts

When I enrolled my daughter in gymnastics, I had no idea that I would have to participate too.

I was so sore days after the class from showing her how to use the equipment and spotting her in weird positions. Some days, I would be running after her to get her clothes on, put on her coat and boots.

Rather than being upset with her, I would count this as exercise too.

Of course, playing with my daughter at the park or playing soccer counts too. (Especially since we are both not very good at soccer.)

Use Free Resources

You can find a ton of exercise videos on YouTube.

My favourite is Cassey Ho of Blogilates. She is super motivating and her workouts are efficient because they target several areas at a time. If you sign up for emails, she sends you even more workout routines.

Of course, you can also check out your local library for workout DVDs too.

Find Discounts and Promotions

I used to read my Groupon emails only for spa stuff but when you look closer, there are a lot of promotions for health and fitness too.

If you can (or willing) to go to a gym to workout, consider looking for discounts before you really shell out the cash to get a membership.

If you have a favourite gym or studio you want to try, keep your eye out for their own promotions too. They might have promotions around the new year or their anniversary.

Check with your employer, community league, or professional association for partnerships, too!

Find a Buddy

Being held accountable is the key for me. Workout with someone that can motivate you!

If you are able to, find someone to workout with, encourage each other.

If you can’t find a dedicated workout buddy, try to meet up with friends over a game of badminton rather than over drinks.

Then you can still catch up and get closer to your health goals!

Can you make this article better?

We’re always looking to improve! Have you noticed a spelling or information error, know of something we left out, or would like to share anything else, reach out to us!

• Email us at hello@albertamamas.com
• Get social on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter/X, and Pinterest
• Use our Contact Us form
• Write your own post for us!