IIt’s the start of a new year, and here I go again—trying to recommit to my health and wellness and lose some weight.

I was looking for a graphic to go with this post that said:
“If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.”

But while searching for that quote, I stumbled across a few others that made me laugh, so of course I had to share:

• “If at first you don’t succeed, then maybe you just suck.”
• “If at first you don’t succeed, then skydiving definitely isn’t for you.”

Luckily for us, we’re not skydiving…
We’re just trying—again—for what feels like the 87th time to focus on our health and wellness and lose some weight.

Here’s the frustrating part: I know what to do to lose weight. I really do.

I just need to actually do it.
And that is so much easier said than done—or I would’ve already done it and wouldn’t be starting over for the 87th time.

So what does it really take to lose weight?

• Willpower?
• A calorie deficit?
• Cardio? Lifting weights? Walking every day?
• Low carb? No carb? Intermittent fasting?
• Tracking calories? Tracking points? Counting macros?
• Eating “clean”? Giving up sugar?
• Drinking water like it’s some kind of magical weight-loss juice?

Nope.

None of those things will help you lose weight if you don’t have the two things that actually matter:

Commitment & Consistency

Not perfection.
Not doing everything “right.”
Just showing up again… and again… and again.

Even after the 87th restart.

This year, I’m choosing to focus on commitment and consistency instead of perfection.

What that looks like for me:

• Journaling daily and tracking my meals – for accountability
• Doing my best to drink 64 oz of water a day (that’s my goal—everyone’s target is different, and that’s okay)
• Being more intentional about what I eat and how I spend my time

And also:

• More movement, less lazing around
• More reading, less TV
• More doing instead of just planning what to do

At least this time, nobody has to jump out of a plane.

What do you plan to work on this year?