Stop Hoping It Works — Start Planning Like It Will
Let’s talk about a common trap I see all the time in health goals:
You set a big outcome —
Lose 20 pounds
Eat healthier
Get stronger (maybe with a specific goal like getting your first pull-up)
Improve your gut health
Eat more consistently
And then you sit there... hoping it works this time.
You really want it. You’re motivated. You’re ready.
But then life happens. The routine falls apart. The meals don’t get prepped. The workouts get skipped.
And suddenly, you’re thinking:
“Why can’t I ever stick to this?” “What’s wrong with me?” “I guess I failed. Again.”
But what if it’s not that you failed the goal... What if it’s that the goal never had a plan to begin with? What if it was kind of doomed from the start??
Hope is not a strategy.
The fact is - outcomes aren’t achieved without actions to back them up.
You wouldn’t say:
“I hope I pay off $10,000 in credit card debt this year” ...and then randomly make payments whenever, in whatever amount, and cross your fingers it all adds up by December.
No. You’d look at your budget. Make a monthly plan. Track what’s happening. Adjust as needed.
But in health? We skip that step. We cling to the outcome—and forget to build the system.
MAKE IT MAKE SENSE???
A client example:
All of my clients have been working on daily mini-check-ins with themselves, as well as weekly previews for the week. With this, it allows them to make sure that the actions they have planned for the day are THERE in the schedule, and are working towards the outcome they want.
They map out things like:
Pre-planning (or pre-tracking) meals for the week
planning out their workouts for the week
adding walk breaks into their day
A go-to weekend meal that kept them grounded
Once we stopped relying on hope—and started building actual structure—it all got easier. Their consistency started to build, they started to see more progress that FELT like progress…and they continue to work towards their goals.
So let’s break this down:
1. Look at your outcome goal.
Cool. You’ve got something you’re working toward. Now ask: what are the repeatable actions that would make this happen?
2. Break it into weekly or daily pieces.
If your goal is to lift heavier—what’s the plan for training days? If your goal is more balanced meals—what needs to be prepped?
3. Use a real-life example: Goal: Pay off $10k of debt in 12 months
You’d make a monthly payment plan
Check in weekly
Adjust when things come up
Same thing applies with other goals. Want more energy? Plan your sleep and fueling habits. Want to feel more in control of food? Set a structure for meals and snacks.
4. Plan for real life.
Don’t build a fantasy routine. Look at what’s actually on your calendar. Use the “if this, then that” method:
If I can’t get a workout in, I’ll walk after dinner
If I have takeout, I’ll focus on protein + fiber
Final thought:
It’s not about giving up big goals. It’s about giving those goals the structure they deserve.
Stop hoping this is the time you magically follow through. Start planning like you believe you will.
That’s how you build trust with yourself. That’s how real results happen.
The goal is never JUST about the outcome - it is about being the person who is DOING THE THINGS to get you to that outcome. And THAT comes with a plan, and daily actions. So let’s make that happen! It’s kind of my area of expertise - so if you are looking for some support, all you need to do is click the link below and we can start that journey together!
Need help creating the system that supports your goals?