Mark your calendars: January 9, 2026, is "National Quitters Day." It’s that Friday when the holiday excitement fades, the decorations are packed away, and we’re left with a long, gray stretch of Kandiyohi County winter.
It’s easy to feel motivated on New Year's Day. It’s a lot harder when the wind is whipping off Foot Lake and you just want to sit inside and binge-watch the new season of Stranger Things. But this year, we aren’t letting the cold stop us.
Here is how to stick to your goals at the Y in Willmar well past January 9.
1. Focus on Inputs, Not Outputs
Resolutions like "lose 20 pounds" or "get a six-pack" are focused on outputs. You can’t 100% control those.
Focus on the input instead. Make your goal "Walk the treadmill for 20 minutes" or "Include a vegetable in every meal." You can control your behavior. If you focus on this, the results will follow!
2. Remove Friction Points
Make your habit as convenient as possible. If your routine has too much friction, you’ll stop, especially when the temps drop below zero.
The Fix: Audit your excuses.
- Too tired after work? Don't go home first. We all know once you sit down, you aren't getting back up. Pack your bag and head straight to the Y before heading home.
- Don’t know what to do? Don't wander around the weight room aimlessly! Ask a trainer for help creating a plan or try a Group Fitness class where the instructor tells you exactly what to move.
- No time to cook? Keep it simple. Swing by Cub or Cash Wise on the way home and grab a pre-made salad kit or a rotisserie chicken. It’s quick, healthy, and keeps you out of the drive-thru line.
3. Follow the 2-Day Rule
Consistency is key. If you miss a day because the roads haven't been plowed or work ran late, that’s life. If you miss two days, you’re slipping into a new, inactive habit.
The Golden Rule: Never skip 2 days in a row. Even if it’s just a 15-minute stretch at home, keep the streak alive.
4. Pre-Plan Your Adjustments
Life happens. Kids catch a bug at school. We get a snowstorm that buries the whole town.
Have a "Code Red" backup plan ready.
If the roads are too icy to get to the Y, have an at-home substitute ready. Even just 25 push-ups or shoveling the sidewalk (lift with your legs!) counts. Don't let a snow day derail your progress.
5. Make it Enjoyable and Social
Just because a fitness influencer is doing intense drills doesn’t mean you have to.
Choose exercise you actually like!
- Love the water? Our pool is a warm oasis in the middle of winter.
- Need to burn energy? Join a pickup basketball or pickleball game in the gym.
- Need to relax? Try a yoga class.
Bonus: Reward yourself for a solid week of consistency! Maybe it's a new water bottle, or treating yourself to a coffee at The Goodness Coffee Company or Lu Lu Beans after a Saturday morning workout.
Whether you're looking to run laps, lift weights, or just find a supportive community to get you through the winter, the Kandiyohi County Area Family YMCA is here for you.
Come see us on Lakeland Drive and let’s make 2026 your best year yet!