At the beginning of every year, the same scenario repeats itself: millions of people make a resolution to take better care of themselves. In North America, about one third of the population sets a goal to start the new year off on the right foot. Data shows that millennials—adults in their late twenties to mid-forties—are the most likely to make a resolution in January.
Among these, increasing one’s level of physical activity consistently ranks at the top. This isn’t surprising, given the benefits of exercise on physical and mental health are vast and indisputable. However, the majority of adults don’t follow the current recommendations, which are 150 minutes of moderate physical activity per week, combined with two muscle-strengthening sessions. In reality, only 5 to 20% of the population reaches these levels.
Despite good intentions, the outcome is often predictable: more than 70% of people who set a resolution to exercise more give up before mid-February. This statistic does not reflect a lack of willpower, but rather an approach that is misaligned with how the body and mind work. Three factors mainly explain this dropout: inadequate planning, poor motivation, and excessive physical activity that detracts from enjoyment and recovery.
