Across Queensland, many of us start January full of motivation, promising ourselves we’ll move more, eat better, lose weight or overhaul our lifestyle. But when everyday life, family, community responsibilities, work or cultural commitments take priority, those resolutions can quickly fade.
Research continues to show that most New Year’s resolutions fade within weeks – not because people lack willpower, but because resolutions are often made in the heat of the moment, without support, structure, or a realistic plan. In fact, experts now recommend easing the pressure and focusing on small, manageable steps rather than all-or-nothing ‘resets’ at the start of the year.
That’s why we’re encouraging Queenslanders like yourself to approach the new year differently, with goals, not resolutions, and with the support of a qualified Health Coach by your side.
Fact or fiction?
It takes 21 days to build a habit.
Fiction! Research shows it can take anywhere from two to five months, depending on the habit (Singh, B., Murphy, A., Maher, C. & Smith, A.E., 2024).
Why goals work better than resolutions
Zeenia, a My health for life Health Coach says, “Sometimes change can feel overwhelming, leaving you unsure of where to start. Breaking down what you want to achieve into small, manageable steps and just choosing one is what creates clarity. One step at a time with the right tools, a system or plan, and an encouraging environment means you will get where you want to be,” she explains.
Zeenia’s mission is clear – to help people build confidence and skills to reach their health goals in ways that respect their life, culture, and values.
Two of the most powerful strategies:
- Writing your goals down
- Working with a qualified Health Coach
Both are key parts of the My health for life initiative.
Support that fits your life and helps you thrive
My health for life is a free healthy lifestyle initiative funded by the Queensland Government through Health and Wellbeing Queensland. It offers free support to eligible adult Queenslanders who want to build healthier habits and lower their risk of conditions such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease and stroke.
Participants can work on a range of health priorities including:
- Moving more
- Eating a balanced diet
- Achieving and maintaining a healthy weight
- Reducing or quitting smoking
- Reducing alcohol intake
- Improving sleep
- Reducing stress
What makes My health for life different is that it’s personalised and you are speaking with a real person who understands your journey. Someone who wants to see you succeed.
“When someone signs up, a qualified Health Coach works with them to explore their health goals and why they matter,” Zeenia says. “When a person understands ‘why’ they want to change, the ‘how’ becomes much clearer.”
Confidence is key, and your Health Coach helps you build it
Zeenia says mindset is one of the strongest drivers of progress.
“There’s truth in the saying that believing you can makes progress possible, while believing you can’t stops you in your tracks. Confidence in yourself and your plan is what truly drives success,” she explains.
Over the course of six sessions, our Health Coaches support participants to:
- Identify their motivations
- Break down goals into practical steps
- Build confidence through small wins
- Find solutions that fit their lifestyle including culture, family, and work life
- Stay connected to their ‘why’
And, importantly, a Health Coach doesn’t tell you what to do. Their role is to listen, guide, and help you find the approach that works best for you.
Real stories. Real change. Real life.
After years of supporting participants, Zeenia says she’s been truly inspired by the changes people achieve – not just on the scales, but in everyday life.
Participants report:
- More energy to play with their kids or grandkids
- Confidence to enjoy the beach or pool
- Improved sleep and mood
- Feeling steady and safe while out of the house
- Greater independence at home
- Ability to join family activities like camping or sports days
Zeenia says, “These aren’t just results. It’s real people changing their life trajectory and reclaiming their lives. Breaking free of old ways, opening the door to freedom and living life to the fullest.”
Start your 2026 health journey your way
If you’re ready to create healthier habits without the pressure of New Year’s resolutions, do the free online Health Check today to find out if My health for life is right for you.
And that’s how you achieve your New Year’s health goals, without a single resolution.
References
Singh, B., Murphy, A., Maher, C. & Smith, A.E., 2024. Time to form a habit: a systematic review and meta analysis of health behaviour habit formation and its determinants. Healthcare (Basel), 12(23), p.2488. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11641623/ [Accessed 6 Jan. 2026]
