Join hosts John Salak and wellness expert Angie Miller as they unravel the complexities of New Year's resolutions and personal growth. Delving into the allure and challenges of setting resolutions, the conversation emphasizes the need for realistic goal-setting, strategic planning and the role of accountability in achieving sustainable change. Angie's insights highlight the importance of support systems and embracing learning curves while empowering listeners to foster self-belief and redefine success. Tune in for expert guidance on navigating the path to personal wellness.

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Chapter Summaries:

0:00:30 Introduction to New Year's Resolutions

0:01:32 The Reality of New Year's Resolutions

0:02:51 Guest Introduction: Angie Miller: Perspective on New Year's Resolutions

0:06:22 The Importance of Support and Strategy

0:09:47 The Role of Accountability in Achieving Goals

0:16:28 Angie's Personal Experiences with Setting Goals

0:22:14 Final Thoughts and Takeaways

0:24:19 Health Hacks and Conclusion

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Connect with Angie Miller:

• Website: https://www.angiemillerfitness.com/
• Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/strong-mind-strong-body/id1539692297 
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angiemillerfitness/ 
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/angiemillerfitness/?hl=en 
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AngieMillerFit 

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John Salak: What comes at the end of December? If you're lucky, it's Santa Claus. But even if [00:00:36] that jolly old soul isn't popping down your chimney, It's also a time people start realizing the new year is at hand. This means millions of Americans are going to lay out their New Year's resolutions. In fact, about 40 percent of Americans announce publicly or perhaps just tell themselves they are going to turn over a new leaf of sorts come January.

Most peeps are also pretty confident they're on the right track, as 90 percent of people making a resolution are confident They'll be fully or at least partially successful in achieving their aims. Unfortunately, the success rate is not nearly that high. Sadly, about 50 percent of our New Year's resolutions fall flat.

And if these New Year goals are a good idea, at least in theory, how can we better help ourselves succeed? Don't fret. Our upcoming guest is here to help sort all of this out and put resolution [00:02:24] makers on a track that will provide both relief and results.

It's the start of the new year. It's January everyone wants to start on the right foot, which for tens of millions, maybe hundreds of millions of people, that means a new year's resolution, something they're going to dedicate their life to. The question is, does this approach work?

She's also a speaker and a podcast host and many other things. And Angie has a unique take, on how to really set yourself up, not just for the new year, but going forward. So Angie, welcome to What the Health, our podcast.

Angie: Thank you. Thanks so much for having me, John. It's really an honor to be here.

Why do so many people create or launch into New Year's resolutions? What's the motivation? I mean, beyond maybe some of the obvious. And

Angie: You know, I think this is a great question. And as you mentioned, I work in mental health, so I work as a mental health therapist. I also work as a wellness coach and I work in fitness. I've worked with clients as a trainer, corrective exercise specialist for decades. And so I get to see people in a training environment, in a coaching environment, and in a mental health environment.

So. anything is possible. So I think that for me and for so many of us, we see it as a fresh start, like a new beginning. It's another chance to become what we ultimately think that we want to become, whatever that is, whether it's healthier or we want to be more fit or more active or more energetic or more [00:04:48] positive.

It's like hitting that reset button and thinking yes, this is it. This is my year. Out with the old in with the new. I get a clear my slate and start fresh. And I think it's about possibility and hope. And the new year's the perfect time to think about that because it is out with the old, right?

That year is gone.

Do you think that's accurate, that there's a high failure to reach those goals? And if so, is that a good thing?

But if you really think about it, we go from December 31st to January 1st. Your life isn't going to change overnight because it's a new year. Yes, it's a new year. Yes, there's possibility and hope, but we have to be very strategic. And so the first thing I tell all of my clients, whether it's in fitness or mental health or coaching, everyone needs adequate support.

Maybe you just need mentors or family or friends. But I think first and foremost, we need a plan. I mean, we need a support system. Number two, we need a plan or strategy. So it's not that we fail. It's not that we're not. Able to do what we set our mind to. I think it's that we go into it without a plan or a strategy.

me having run my first retreat, but I have to take it one step at a time and I have to stand on the step for a minute after I've achieved it and look back and say, wow, look what I just did. And then go to the [00:07:48] next step and look back and say, wow, look what I just did. Appreciate the steps in the moments along the way, because This is a long way up, and if we get there too fast, A, we may not stick to it.

So I always tell people if you have a goal, let's say that your goal is, I'm going to start exercising. It needs to be detailed. Like I'm going to exercise two days a week. My days will be Tuesdays and Thursdays. My time will be 10 a. m. to 1030 a. m.

My activity or form of exercise will be Tuesdays will be walking, Thursdays will be strength training. And this goes into great detail. Then I say, okay, now this is when you're going to do it, where you're going to do it, how you're going to do it, what you're going to do the days of the week.

Or I've tried it and this got in the way. So now you're going to start to give me some history, some rich history about what stood in your way. And with that history, I'm going to help you be able to back it up and say, okay, Well, let's talk about that obstacle. How can we make sure it doesn't get in the way again?

John Salak: I understand you're saying, okay, people can set goals and any goal is valid. But we seem to live in a society where we have marketing and a number of things will fall will almost entice us to create at least unrealistic goals or at least the approach.

So, companies are going to promote weight loss at the beginning of the year. Is this something people fall prey to? Whether it's a love life, it's a career change, that sort of thing that.

Angie: I used to teach university students and I used to tell students, let's say you start dating somebody and all of a sudden, that person's a real big avid exerciser. So you start exercising. And then you stop dating that person the next thing you know, you're not exercising and it's kind of the same thing with ads.

How would your life look different six years from now? In other words, I want you to think long term. How is this going to impact your life and truly make a lasting difference? And I think that if we ask ourselves those types of questions, just because we see it on TV and it looks amazing, yeah, we're an immediate gratification society.

Everything comes with, repercussions. Even weight loss pills are going to have some possible side effects that are going to be perhaps even dangerous for some people. And so we have to be very guided and intentional. And if it's a quick fix, it's probably not a lasting fix. Think in terms of relationships.

John Salak: We had also talked a little bit before we came on about the whole concept of clearing the slate. And what does that mean? You have to sort of free yourself of the baggage or things that may have interfered with what you wanted to achieve before.

Angie: It's important for a couple of reasons because If we carry over stuff, we're carrying around baggage. I always explain it to people like your backpack, you're carrying a backpack and it's just full of your stuff, like your relationship baggage, your job baggage, your family baggage.

And the next thing you know, the backpack is out and stuff is slinging. And I'm saying that hypothetically, and it's because you haven't really made peace with that stuff. And so you're bringing a lot of that. stuff into your current situation. So we have to find a way to make peace with our past.

We have to find a way to say, okay, that happened now what, and whether it's a family issue or whether it's, goals that didn't work in the past, because if we keep carrying that with us, it's almost like we're going to position ourselves as a victim. Well, it's never worked for me before. So why should I try?

And that even if it does, it's not that it got in your way. It's the approach you took. It did get in your way. Yes. But what did you do? To mentally and physically strongly get it out of your way so that it cannot hold you back. ? Because it's about the decisions we make.

what baggage you're

Angie: I think awareness is a huge part of the answer. I think we have to be aware of what's getting in the way. We have to, otherwise we're going to project it onto everyone and everything. I do think we have to be aware, but sometimes that means that we have to get help to become aware.

Okay. If it's not my job, then it must be my partner, I'm going to get rid of my, right. And so we just keep going through things and then we keep meeting ourselves where we're at. And so, yeah, I think awareness is key. And sometimes we need help to get to the bottom of exactly what is getting in the way.

John Salak: So we had talked about people starting resolutions or starting to try and put themselves on a healthier track, whatever that means for them at the new year, because it's an obvious time.

It doesn't matter. Do you approach it any differently? You're really approaching it the same way. You just don't have that date, that big January 1st date looming in your face, I assume.

Angie: I think so. I just set a goal recently. I've always wanted to take piano, and one day I was teaching a fitness class, and a gal said, I teach piano. And I jumped on it. It was the right moment. And I said, do you teach adults? And one thing led to another, and I'm taking piano lessons.

Getting a trainer of all else, it's about accountability and education, because if you get the right trainer, they can educate you in a way that gives you full autonomy so that you can go out on your own. What I always say to people is hire somebody who builds [00:17:24] your self belief.

So that ultimately you can and will do this on your own so that you're not dependent on someone else. I may always want a piano teacher to keep getting better Or I may take for a year and then just decide to play for fun. So get clear on what your goals are how deep you want to go and what are your resources to get there?

Angie: I am overwhelmingly committed to personal accountability. I think we are a society that has lost the notion of accountability. And, I never allow myself to say, sorry, I'm late. Traffic was bad. I just say I'm late. No excuses. I don't allow myself an out. I don't give myself a back door.

So here's what I'm going to do to try to make good on that. So any time, whether it's your fault or not, Just being accountable to you is what builds self belief and confidence. We have to have this notion that while support is amazing, we really have to stand on our own two feet. We have to have the belief that we can.

And here's how I know that. And then I'm going to ask my clients, give me five times in your life where you wanted something and you were able to accomplish it. That's how you build self efficacy is reminding yourself of times when you did [00:19:48] succeed and knowing that if you could do it, then you can do it now.

John Salak: It's accountability to yourself. You're taking responsibility for your actions. And whether you achieve them whether you need help or not or supporting them is that a fair assessment too as well.

Angie: I think so. I think that's perfect. I really do. And I think that if we have self belief, we can do anything. And are we going to be great at it? Am I ever going to be a good golfer? I don't think so. But guess what? I'm going to learn the sport. I'm going to keep my brain and my body active in a different way.

We just have to show up and define good. What's good, right?

John Salak: Absolutely. What did you learn for yourself in saying, okay, I'm finally going to take up golf or I'm going to finally take up piano lesson? Because there was some self awareness. I'm not saying this was a major baggage piece for you, but it's something you always wanted to do, but you never got around to.

Angie: Yeah. well. , I'm learning to be okay with not being good, and to redefine good. So I joke because I show up at piano and there's these little itty bitty kids who go in there and I stick around and listen for a minute and I go, Ooh, ouchie, you know, there's me peck peck.

And so I've learned to be okay with not pushing myself all the time, just accepting that learning in and of itself is good. Because I used to be a big pusher. I wanted to be good, and I've had to really come to terms with redefine good and accept that you're growing. And that is good.

John Salak: and that then can be applied to any other goal you're trying to achieve or path you're putting yourself on.

Angie: Right? Right.

Angie: Well, I think it's a couple of things. I think one thing we all have to remember is that the higher the challenge, the greater the need for support. So, you know, major life changing events, losses breakups, the higher the challenge, the greater the need for support. is important, right?

I really do. I believe that human potential is endless. And the only time that it's limited is when we get on our own way.

When we tell ourselves stories that just no longer serve us.

John Salak: Angie, thank you so much. We could go on and on and we hope to have you back and we'll talk about some maybe different specifics of putting people on a health track, but we wanted to thank you.

I'm not putting in global issues, but wellness and therapeutic issues to help people really get themselves going. Is that a fair assessment?

Angie: It is. And also, John, if you don't mind I would like to just let people know too, I host my own podcast called strong mind, strong body. And so you can also tune in and listen on my podcast. It's every week. And again, it's called strong mind, strong body. And this is what I do is bridge a healthy mind and a healthy body.

John Salak: Yeah. Especially with the new year, though you don't have to limit it to the new year. So Angie, again, thank you for coming on the podcast. We hope you'll be back soon for another episode.

Angie: Thank you.

Now, joining our WellWellBeing community is easy and free. Just visit WellWellUSA. com, go to Milton's Discounts in the pulldown menu, and you'll see the signup sheet. Signing up takes seconds, but the benefits can last for years. Okay, so New Year's is approaching and you're inclined to use January as a jump off date for making improvements in your life.

Don't go it alone, get the help you need to succeed, whether that's a coach, nutritionist, therapist, informed friend, or dedicated partner. Three, take it easy on yourself. Perfection is not the goal, except that progress is the [00:25:48] key. Well, that's it for this episode of What The Health. I'd like to thank Angie Miller for her time and insights.