New Year’s resolutions. Some live for the fresh start, others groan at the thought. My best friend and I have a tradition to meet on New Year’s Day and write down what we hope to do over the coming year. Instead of writing a list of specific goals we hope to achieve, we create a theme to live by, a mantra.

Last year I decided to make decisions out of love rather than fear. Over the last year, I followed my passion for yoga over to Bali, Indonesia and came on full-time with Alchemy Fitness to help clients face the same fears I once had — and sometimes still do! This Christmas, I decided this year’s mantra will be to live just outside of my comfort zone.

We all have years where our little resolutions nag us in the back of our minds — when we are still eating Christmas chocolate on January 6th or when our gym memberships collect dust in March.

It isn’t realistic to think that everything will be different on January 1st. I encourage everyone to take this next week to reflect on the last year. What are you proud of? What did you wish you had done differently? Who do you wish to be over the next year?

Maybe living just outside your comfort zone is just the mantra you need to see positive growth or change. I don’t mind if you steal my 2016 mantra! We see so many clients walk through our doors, that are completely fed up. They have tried everything and (understandably) are overwhelmed.

Set monthly goals to reach, rather than a complete overhaul in January. It takes just 21 days to create a new habit. Twelve little changes over the year is more effective than trying to change everything in January and giving up a few weeks in! When you give yourself a month to try something just out of your comfort zone (like waking up an hour earlier to go for a walk/run, meditate, do a HIIT or yoga class) it doesn’t seem so daunting.

Push just a little harder, lift a little heavier, avoid those desk candies for another day. If reaching those personal fitness goals still seem impossible, contact Alchemy Fitness and let us help you create twelve monthly goals that are just “outside of your comfort zone” and then help create a plan to actually reach them! Don’t give up before you even started. Make the new year different than the last.

• Cassandra Matcham is a Yoga Alliance-certified yoga instructor, studio and group fitness manager at Alchemy Fitness. She specialises in accountability and goal-setting to help clients reach their full potential. Follow Alchemy Fitness on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AlchemyFitnessBermuda or e-mail info@alchemy.bm.