Episode 112: More Than a Number — Setting Health Goals That Actually Stick in 2026

In this episode of Fit, Fueled and Busy, host Janine explores the importance of setting intentional and meaningful health and fitness goals as we approach 2026. She emphasizes the need to look beyond vague resolutions and specific numerical targets, urging listeners to define their 'why' and how achieving their goals will improve their quality of life. Janine provides practical advice on creating SMART goals, implementing actionable commitments, and seeking support from loved ones. Additionally, she introduces her 28-day Jumpstart Strength and Nutrition Program and one-on-one coaching services for personalized guidance and sustained success. Tune in for insights that will help you establish powerful, sustainable fitness objectives.

00:00 Welcome and Introduction

00:48 Defining Your Health Goals

01:53 The Importance of Deeper Motivation

04:12 Measuring Progress Beyond Numbers

04:41 Creating an Actionable Plan

05:41 The Role of Support Systems

07:00 Final Thoughts and Program Offers

08:23 Conclusion and Encouragement

Thanks for listening, we hope you enjoyed it.

Join our 28 Day Strength and Nutrition Jumpstart Program here.

Grab our FREE fast food guide here.

Book a FREE strategy call here.

Reserve your spot with a Couture Coach: Buy a 1:1 coaching package

Sign up for our FREE newsletter here.

Follow us for more tips, tricks, and support in our private Facebook Group, Boost Your Metabolism After Age 30.

Follow us on Instagram @couture_fitness_coaching

Check at our website and blog.

Want customized plan for boosting your metabolism? Learn more about our 1:1 coaching

Transcript

0:24

Welcome back to Fit Fueled and Busy. I'm your host, Janine, and I'm so glad you're here today. If you're new around here, welcome, and if you've been listening for a while, you already know it's the third Wednesday of the month, which means we're diving into mindset. Honestly, this is the perfect time of year for it. As we get closer to a brand new year, I know a lot of you're already thinking about what your New Year's resolution is going to be. I know I am. And for so many people that resolution revolves around health and fitness. I hear it all the time. I hear people say things like, next year I'm going to get in better shape. Or in 2026, I'm finally going to focus on myself. This is the year I take my health seriously. And while those intentions are great, they're also incredibly undefined. Whenever someone says, I want to get in better shape, I always want to follow up with one simple question. What does that actually mean to you? How do you define, quote unquote better shape? Because here's what I see happen. There are usually two types of people. The first group keeps things very vague. They know they want to feel better, look better, or be healthier, but they don't really define what success looks like. Then there's a second group These are the people who get very specific. They'll say things like, I want to weigh 130 pounds, or I wanna be under 18% body fat. Or, my goal is to have a 28 inch waist. And to those people, I wanna say, great, there's nothing wrong with having specific goals, but here's the real question I want you to think about. What will reaching that number actually do for you? How will it improve your quality of life? Because the number itself, whether it's on a scale or a measuring tape or an in-body scan, doesn't actually automatically guarantee happiness, confidence, or even fulfillment. And that's what I really want to dive into today. As you prepare for 2026, I encourage you to spend some intentional time thinking about any health or fitness related goal you want to set. It's okay to want a certain number on the scale. I'm not saying you can't have that goal, but what I am saying is that goal needs to be supported by something deeper, because when things get hard. I promise you they will. The number alone is not going to be enough to keep you going. There will be weeks when the scale doesn't move. There will be times when progress feels very slow. There may even be periods where you're doing everything right and the scale stays exactly the same. And if your only motivation is I wanna weigh 130 pounds, that's when frustration creeps in and that's when people quit. So instead, I want you to ask yourself, why do I want this? How does this goal improve my life? Maybe it's, I want more energy to run around at the park with my kids, or I wanna go on a five mile bike ride with my family without having to ask everyone to stop so that I can rest. Or maybe it's, I wanna walk along the beach on our family vacation this year without knee pain. Or it could be simply that you want to feel confident and strong when you walk into a room. Those are the goals that matter because here's the truth, you might not hit an exact number on the scale, especially if you're losing body fat and building muscle at the same time, but you might suddenly realize that you can move without pain. You are stronger, you do have more endurance, and that you feel better in your body, and that's a win, even if the scale doesn't say what you thought it would. Another important thing to think about is how you'll know you've made progress. If your goal is simply, quote unquote, to be in better shape, how will you measure that? Better shape could mean having more energy, having improved strength. Better mobility, less pain, maybe getting better sleep, being consistent with movement. Success doesn't have to be one number. And this brings us to the plan. Wanting something is not the same as having a plan to achieve it. So instead of saying, I wanna be in better shape. Try breaking that down into actionable commitments. Like, I'm going to walk for 30 minutes most days of the week, or I'm going to lift four times per week. I'm going to track my macros five out of seven days. I'm going to prioritize PRI protein at every meal. Or maybe I'm going to hire a coach to guide me and hold me accountable. These are behaviors you can control regardless of what the scale does. And I'm sure that we've all heard of smart goals, but really they do count. Make your goals smart. And smart stands for specific, measurable, achievable, realistic. And time bound, realistic is the key here. You don't need perfection, you need consistency. One last piece that I don't think gets talked about enough support. The most successful clients I work with are the ones who feel supported by the people around them, so that means involving your family, talking to your partner. Letting your kids even in on why this matters to you. Explain to them why you're prioritizing your health, how this will help you feel better, and how it will positively impact your relationships with them. Invite them to join you. Ask them for encouragement. Let them know what support looks like for you. That's really important too. Make sure you tell them. How they can be a supportive partner or a supportive family for you in achieving your goal. You don't have to do this alone, and you shouldn't. So as we head into 2026, I want you to start shifting your mindset. Write your goals down. Be specific. Make sure you add detail. Always define your why. Create a plan for execution and share your goals with people who will support you, because when your goals are rooted in improving your life, not just chasing a number, they become far more powerful and far more sustainable. And before we wrap up, if you're listening to this and thinking, I know what I want my goals to be, but I need a plan and support to actually follow through, I want you to check out our 28 day jumpstart strength and nutrition program. This program is designed to help you kick off 2026 with structure, clarity, and confidence without being overwhelming, you'll get guided strength workouts, simple nutrition support and accountability to help you stay consistent and build momentum right from the start. It's a great way to stop guessing, to feel supported, and finally have a plan you can stick to. And if you're someone who knows you do best with more personalized support. You can also check out our one-on-one coaching programs with one-on-one coaching. You get direct access to working with me, along with customized strength and nutrition guidance, tailored specifically to your goals, your schedule, and your lifestyle. This is for you if you want deeper accountability. Individualized adjustments and hands-on support every step of the way. So whether you're looking for a strong reset with our 28 day jumpstart, or more customized long-term support through one-on-one coaching, there's an option to help you start 2026. Feeling confident, supported, and clear on your plan. You can find all the details for both programs at our website, couture fitness coaching.com. Thank you so much for tuning in to Fit, fueled and Busy. If this episode resonated with you, I'd love for you to share it with a friend or leave a review as it truly does help this podcast grow. As always, keep showing up for yourself. Keep moving forward and I'll talk to you next Wednesday.