Skinny is officially back – not that he really is. ever really leftif you ask me. Between the “what I eat in a day” videos and before and after transformations, there has always been an underlying weight loss anxiety masquerading as feeling good. Weight loss is supposed to be synonymous with healthy, but that's not all. And in this time of reflection and goal setting, I encourage you to think bigger than just making yourself smaller.
If you've struggled to define health goals beyond weight loss, you're not alone. We've been conditioned to believe that smaller bodies are the ultimate achievement, when in fact health is a much broader, more personal and interesting thing. Here are the resolutions I'm making for 2026 and how to reframe your own goals around what really matters.
Move in a way that makes you feel good
Slimming version: I need to burn calories. Exercise is a punishment for eating. Even if I hate working out, I still have to do it because of the discipline.
Reframing: What if movement was about experiencing your body's capabilities? About the rush of endorphins after dancing, the meditativeness of a morning walk, or the pleasure of becoming stronger over time?
My solution: Find three types of movements that I really enjoy and do them regularly—not because I “should,” but because they make me feel alive. Maybe it's swimming, hiking with friends, or finally doing aerial yoga. The goal is not to burn calories; it means building a relationship with the movement based on joy rather than obligation.
How to measure success: Can I do something I couldn't do before? Do I feel energized rather than drained? Am I really looking forward to moving my body? These are the metrics that matter.
Eat foods that give me energy
Slimming version: Good food vs bad food. Limitation as a virtue. Guilt when you inevitably “fall off the wagon.”
Reframing: Food is information for your body. Do I make choices based on the moral value of different foods, or do I actually listen to what my body wants and needs?
My solution: Notice how different foods actually make me feel, without judgment. Keep a simple journal—not calories, but perhaps energy levels, mood, digestion, and satisfaction. Do I feel better when I include more vegetables, not because they are “healthy”, but because they actually make me feel better?
How to measure success: Am I making food choices based on how I want to feel rather than what the scale might say? Do I have consistent energy throughout the day? Can I eat without feeling guilty?
Stay hydrated
Slimming version: Water fills you up so you eat less; This is a diet hack.
Reframing: Proper hydration affects everything from cognitive function and mood to digestion, skin health and energy levels. You deserve to drink water because your body literally needs it to survive and thrive.
My solution: Drink enough water so that you don't feel constantly tired, have headaches, or confuse thirst with hunger. Keep the bottle with you and you'll really notice a difference in how I feel when I'm well hydrated versus when I run hydrated.
How to measure success: Have your headaches become less frequent? Will my brain fog clear by midday? Do I have more energy?
Build Confidence through Competence
Slimming version: I'll like myself when I get smaller. Confidence comes from appearance.
Reframing: Confidence comes from doing difficult things, developing skills and being proud of the way I move my body.
My solution: Set a goal that has nothing to do with what I look like and everything to do with what I can do. Maybe it's learning how to cook five new recipes or finally achieving my lifelong dream of doing the splits.
What are your thoughts so far?
How to measure success: Am I proud of myself? Am I challenging myself in ways that feel meaningful? Is my self-esteem becoming less tied to my appearance?
Develop a nightly routine that actually works for me.
Slimming version: Eating at night leads to weight gain. It's all about willpower, baby.
Reframing: You might be eating at night because you're bored, stressed, or really haven't eaten enough during the day. Or maybe you stay up too late and eating is just a form of entertainment.
My solution: Create an evening routine that actually addresses what I need—whether it's actual hunger (this way I'll eat something filling without guilt), stress relief (like a bath, stretching, or reading), or improving sleep hygiene (setting boundaries with screens).
How to measure success: Am I sleeping better? Do I feel more rested? Am I addressing the root cause of nighttime habits rather than just limiting them?
Feeling strong and capable in my body
Slimming version: I need to earn the right to wear certain clothes. My body is a before photograph.
Reframing: Your body is the means by which you live your entire life. What if the goal was to feel strong, mobile, and pain-free instead of small?
My solution: Focus on functional training. Can I lift my suitcase to the top bunk? Hiking without getting out of breath? Play with children or pets to prevent my back from hurting? These are signs of a body that serves me well.
How to measure success: Am I stronger than I was last month? Can I complete everyday tasks with more ease? Do I feel capable and comfortable in my body?
Bottom line
Perhaps the most important decision of all is this: stop putting your life on hold until you reach a certain size. Don't wait to buy your favorite clothes, try new activities, take photos, or simply exist without constant self-criticism.
What would your health goals look like if weight loss wasn't part of the equation? I'm willing to bet they'll be more interesting, more enduring, and far more meaningful than anything the numbers can tell you. This year, I'm measuring success by how I feel, not how I look.
