Wellness

2024 New Year’s Resolutions: 20 Achievable Goals Worth Making

2024 resolutions that are realistic, sustainable, and worthwhile!

By: Emma Lunsford

If you find yourself setting the same New Year’s resolutions year after year, you’re not alone. In fact, it’s so common that there’s even unofficial dates – “Quitter’s Day” and “Ditch New Year’s Resolutions Day” — that take place in late January and early February… just weeks after New Years. While it’s easy to get down on yourself, you should know the reason goals often falter isn’t a lack of determination or ambition, but rather the impracticality (even the impossibility) of the resolutions we set. Uprooting our entire lifestyle and holding ourselves to unattainable standards will never pave the path to success. Sure, you might be able to achieve and sustain your goals for a while, but if they’re too overwhelming or extreme, you’ll find yourself right back here next year — setting the same goals! This year, we’re here to challenge your mindset and help you leave behind the era of extremes. 

So, in an effort to help you achieve your best year yet, here are 20 resolutions for 2024 that are actually worth making (and are more likely to lead to success). Learn how to set realistic healthy goals, stay committed, and remain inspired toward reaching (and sticking) with all you want to accomplish. Remember, we’re human — not superhuman!

2024 New Year’s Resolutions: 20 Achievable Goals Worth Making

If you want your goals to feel realistic and manageable, start with bite-sized goals — find something small and inspiring from the list below. Once you achieve (or exceed) your goal, try another! From there, keep building and crushing your goals.

#1 Try One New Recipe Per Week

One recipe a week? Easy peasy! This is perfect for those who get bored with eating healthy foods. It’s important to mix it up, so you stay motivated. Plus, trying new recipes can expose you to new foods you may have never tried before. This means more nutrients, which can, in turn, promote better gut health. And who knows, maybe you’ll even come across some new favorite finds!While doing so, maybe you even set micro goals along the way: make it a goal to try one new seasonal fruit and veggie per week, go plant-based for a day, or call on healthy swaps for your favorite comfort food cravings!

FitOn PRO has tons of healthy and delicious recipes that make healthy eating easy! 

#2 Try Making 1 Smoothie Per Day

Smoothies are some of the most versatile foods on the planet. Need a protein boost? Make a protein smoothie. Need some healthy fats? Load it up with nut butter. Lacking micronutrients? Sneak in greens or superfoods.This goal is great for those trying to meet nutrition goals but can’t seem to make ends meet. And, they are the perfect option when you’re in a time crunch. Smoothies take minutes to whip up and can be one of the best ways to jam-pack a whole bunch of nutrients into one yummy meal. You can even meal prep them

And they can even help reduce stress or give your immune system a boost during the chilly months when the germy season peaks! 

Need some ideas? Try this Morning Energizer Smoothie. Full of protein, fiber, healthy fats, and superfood fuel!

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup almond milk
  • 1 frozen banana
  • 1 tbsp cocoa powder
  • 1 scoop protein powder
  • 1 tbsp ground flaxseed
  • 1 tbsp almond butter
  • 1 tsp maple syrup
  • 1 handful ice cubes
  • cacao nibs, to serve
  • pumpkin seeds, chopped, to serve
  • hemp seeds, to serve

Directions:

Step #1: Add all ingredients minus the cacao nibs, pumpkin, and hemp seeds to a high-speed blender and blend until smooth.

Step #2: Pour into a glass and top with the pumpkin seeds and a sprinkle of hemp seeds, and cacao nibs.

Step #3: Enjoy!

#3 Try a New Style of Fitness Each Week or Month 

If your fitness motivation is lacking, it may be a sign that it’s time to try something new. Remember: you don’t want to have to rely too much on willpower! One of the best ways to keep the motivation pumping is with some new exercise motivation. Thankfully, FitOn workouts make it easy. 

Get your heart pumping with quick HIIT workouts, sculpt lean muscle with a longer strength training class, or ground down with a calming yoga flow. There’s something for everyone!

Need a little extra motivation? Keep yourself accountable with our 14-Day Motivation Challenge or join a FitOn program!

#4 Establish a Simple Meditation Practice

Meditated once, then never again? You’re not alone. This mindfulness technique can feel intimidating if you’re new to the practice, but with a little know-how, it’s much more approachable than you think! Hint: check out our Ultimate Guide to Meditation.

When you’re getting started with your practice, start small and begin with just 5 minutes. As you start to get more comfortable, slowly amp up the time. And if this feels unattainable, you have options! Try a walking meditation, press play on a sleep yoga Nidra, or simply start out with breathwork.

Fortunately, FitOn has a meditation category, some being only 5 minutes, which makes it super easy to get going!

Here are some short duration meditations to help you get inspired (and grounded):

#5 Read One New Book a Month

Ditch the screen time and use your downtime to dive face first into a book! Since everyone reads at different paces, try not to set an unrealistic goal here. While someone else might be able to read 5 books in a month, that might be unattainable for you, which is 100% okay! Adjust this goal based on available time and reading habits. 

And while reading is a goal within itself, you may even find your book choices motivate you to crush your other 2024 New Year’s goals. Once you find a topic you’re interested in or a goal your set on crushing, look for a good book within that area! You could even download an audiobook or try out a Kindle — find what works best for you!

#6 Drink an Extra Cup of Water a Day

Instead of creating a goal that involves removing something from your day, it’s best to try adding something positive in to start. For instance, instead of saying drink less caffeine, start with drinking more water. It comes from a more empowering place that leaves you more likely to follow through! 

Once you’ve integrated that daily cup of water into your healthy routine, then address those not-so-healthy habits with another micro goal! Want to cut back on coffee or alcohol? Slowly switch out your guilty beverage of choice for a healthier alternative. Again, start small! One cup a week is a good goal. Maybe you start the week with a cup of matcha instead of coffee or end the week with a kombucha instead of reaching for the wine. Once that feels manageable, continue building with small goals!

Struggling to squeeze in enough water? Try these hydration hacks.

#7 Declutter That Problem Area Once a Week

We all have that one spot in our living space that’s just…bleh. It’s never clean! Instead of trying to tackle it all at once, why not break it up into chunks, removing something bit by bit every weekend. 

And did you know mess can cause stress? Rejoice in the fact that your goal doubles as a stress-relief technique!

#8 Take a Walk a Day

A walk a day has incredible health benefits such as boosting mood, reducing the risk of depression, protecting against heart disease, supporting weight loss goals — the list goes on and on. Plus, the simple act of moving your body can be done anytime, anywhere, by anyone! Really, it’s one of the simplest 2024 New Year’s goals. 

Start your morning with a brisk walk around the block, try a walking meditation, or consider adding in walking work meetings when possible. Need something more structured to help you get started? Try this 28-Day Walking for Weight Loss plan! It’s simple, sustainable, and supportive. Or, try a FitOn at-home walking workout on those days when getting outside for a walk just isn’t going to happen. 

#9 Sanitize Your Phone Every Week

Your phone is probably dirtier than a public toilet seat — yuck! But it makes sense since we’re constantly putting it down in different places. A simple 2024 New Year’s goal? Get in the habit of sanitizing your phone more regularly. And as we mentioned, cleaning can be therapeutic! Plus, it reduces your risk of getting sick, especially during cold and flu season.

#10 Eat a Snack Before You Grocery Shop

Have you ever gone grocery shopping hungry? You’re way likelier to over-purchase food — not to mention buy some not-so-healthy snacks when you shop hungry! Get in the habit of eating a protein snack before you go. Think a handful of nuts and seeds or a hard-boiled egg with a side of fruit.

Need some shopping inspo? Try these high-protein packaged snacks at Whole Foods or head to our recipe box in FitOn PRO. With personalized meal plans and recipes, including foods you’ll love to eat, getting your meals ready for the week has never been easier. You’re less likely to splurge on unnecessary goodies, plus you’ll save some time and money!

#11 Put Your Phone In a Different Room While You Work

Your phone is a productivity killer! From social media to emails, text messages, and countless apps, it’s a constant source of interruptions. Resist the urge to check it entirely by placing it in another room. 

Want to boost your productivity even more? Try these 15 hacks!

#12 Build a Gratitude Practice

A solid gratitude practice leaves you way more grounded. You can even do it while you brush your teeth! Either write down or say to yourself three things you’re grateful for that day. It might sound simple, but gratitude can improve feelings of positivity and even improve mental health. Don’t underestimate the power of these small 2024 New Year’s goals!

RELATED: The Surprising Ways Positivity Improves Your Health

#13 Compliment Yourself Every Day

Build up your self-worth, self-esteem, and confidence by increasing positive self-talk. Hello, compliments! Write yourself sticky notes and place them on the mirror so you see them every day! 

Here are some ideas:

  • Here are some ideas:

  • I am resilient and able to overcome challenges 
  • I am worthy of love
  • I am proud of myself for…
  • I put a lot of dedication and hard work into… and it shows
  • I am kind and compassionate
  • I am beautiful 
  • I am physically and mentally strong
  • I am a good parent (friend, daughter, sister, etc).

Want more of a guided affirmation practice? Try this Daily Affirmations meditation with Kenta. 

#14 Start a Wind-Down Routine Before Bed

There’s nothing worse than going to bed stressed and then waking up in the middle of the night thinking about all you have to do! Give yourself a little TLC and end the day with a calming evening routine to decompress and release any emotions from the day that are no longer serving you. 

Make these simple habits part of your 2024 New Year’s Goals! Before bed, develop an evening routine with things like:

  • Meditation, breathwork, or yoga Nidra
  • A calming yoga flow or stretch 
  • Journaling
  • A soothing Epsom salt soak
  • Ditching screen time in place of a good book
  • A warming cup of tea

Need some evening wind-down inspiration? Consider adding a before-bed meditation to your evening routine. 

#15 Take a Social Media Detox Once a Month

One of the 2024 New Year’s goals you’ll want to make stick? Taking a monthly phone detox! Constant scrolling can cause a lot of brain fatigue, anxiety, and comparison problems. I think we can all agree, the social media comparison trap is no joke. Give yourself a breather by putting your phone away for a day, at least once a month (maybe even once per week)!

RELATED: How to Take Better Care of Yourself When You’re Stuck in a Funk

#16 Practice Random Acts of Kindness

The beauty of this? When you give someone a compliment or do something nice for someone else, you feel good, too! This can be your partner, friend, sibling, a stranger, really whoever — do something nice for them, and do it when they least expect it! Random acts of kindness give all involved a much-needed mood boost and lead to a happier, healthier you. 

Try these ideas:

  • Smile at a stranger 
  • Buy a coffee for the person behind you
  • Hold the door open for someone 
  • Help a stranger with their groceries

#17 Add Extra Fruits & Veggies to Your Cart

The first step to eating healthy is to actually buy more healthy foods. So start at the beginning! When you’re at the store, load up on your favorite fruits and veggies. To maximize the nutritional value, support sustainability, and support your local farmers, try to buy local and seasonal when possible!

Some of our favorites:

  • Green leafy veggies like kale, spinach, swiss chard, and arugula
  • Cruciferous veggies such as broccoli, cauliflower, and Brussels sprouts 
  • Root veggies like beets, sweet potatoes, and winter squash 
  • Seasonal fruits like grapefruit, citrus, apples, persimmons, and grapes

RELATED: What is Seasonal Eating? Plus 3 Impressive Benefits

#18 Laugh Every Day 

Laughter is the best medicine, especially when you’re really stressed. No, really, it is! According to research, laughter decreases the stress hormone, cortisol. When we laugh, we trigger the release of endorphins, the body’s natural feel-good chemicals. Not only can this counteract the production of cortisol, but it can also reduce muscle tension. 

#19 Spend Quality Time With Your Loved Ones

One of the best (and easiest) 2024 New Year’s goals? Fill up your own cup with the people you love! When you’re together, try to stay in the moment — put the screens away and give each other your undivided attention! This goes for friends, partners, parents, kids, or anyone special in your life.

#20 Try a New Journal Prompt Every Day

All about that self-awareness. Get to know the real you by completing different journal prompts every day. You might be surprised what you learn about yourself! Plus, it’s a great way to decompress and get any thoughts off your mind!

Fall In Love With Your 2024 New Year’s Goals

If you’re eager to crush your 2024 goals, that excitement will help motivate you when you need it most. So go for a resolution you can count on: small, achievable, and fun. Fall in love with your goals, and this year will be the best one yet. Happy goal setting!