Kosher Fitness
By Michael Ungar
It’s a month into to the New Year and I’m wondering: how’s that resolution going? When I used to be a regular gym-goer (I now work out at home) and later as a personal trainer at a gym, it was somewhat entertaining to watch the surge of new people who joined the gym in late December or early January. At first, the gym would be way busier than usual, but within a few weeks, it was back to the regulars with perhaps a few newbies still hanging in there.
Many folks have an all-or-nothing attitude to their New Year’s resolutions. If they don’t hit success immediately, they simply give up. A more helpful approach is to take a step back and try to figure out what is not working and why. Ideally, when making a resolution in the first place, one should examine what has worked in the past, what has not worked in the past, what are the obstacles to success, and what is the best path toward achieving the goal.
After the fact, though, is also a good to ask these questions. If the visits to the gym have petered out, why is that? Is it too hard to fit it into the schedule? Is the atmosphere too intimidating? Do you feel judged? Is it boring…or just too difficult? Answer those questions and then figure out how to overcome it. The solution could be to set a time (or times) on the weekly calendar that is dedicated to fitness. How about grabbing a friend who is willing to be on the journey with you? What about asking for help?
This, to me, is perhaps the most important point. Our fitness and health are too important to just give up. Get some help. That could be from a fitness professional — at a gym or who (like me) comes to your home or trains online. Contact a friend who is into fitness and can give you advice and encouragement. You may even be in touch with your physician who can refer you to providers who can help you meet your goals. It is tough to ask for help–especially when we like to think that we are strong enough to handle our own “problems.” Many times, however, reaching out can change the trajectory.
Do not give up on your goals (fitness or otherwise) just because it is not going as you hoped in the new year. The year is still new; there are 11 months to go. Get some help, and let’s make 2026 a year of good health and fitness!
This lightly edited blog with image was originally published on kosher-fitness.com on January 27, 2026 by Rabbi Ungar.
