If you started out January with high hopes, motivation and your perfect diet – yet, a few days in you can’t stop thinking about cookies – you don’t want to miss this episode.

There is a reason you may have failed your New Year’s Diet already – and we are going to dive into the 3 biggest reasons why we continue to stay stuck in this vicious cycle of restricting and binge eating.

Why You’ve Already Failed Your New Year’s Diet (And Why It’s Totally Okay)

Okay, let’s get this out of the way—I know, the title sounds harsh, but trust me, it’s super important. Today we’re talking about why your New Year’s diet goals already crashed and burned by January 13th. Yeah, it’s only been two weeks.

And before you say, “But Kel, I’m not that bad,” hang tight. There are a lot of us out here—myself included—who’ve already thrown in the towel (or the kale salad) and here’s why…

The Struggle Is Real: A New Year’s Reality Check

So, I’m recording this on January 13th. As usual, I’m hiding out in my tiny little closet… but plot twist: I’m downstairs in my living room because my husband is using the closet as a nursery to put our son to bed. Ah, life with kids.

But listen, I’m excited to dive into today’s topic because, like most of us, I used to be that person—bingeing since Halloween, through Thanksgiving, and Christmas. Oh, and come December 26th, I’d say, “Okay, New Year’s, here I come. January 1st, we’re getting back on track!”

But guess what? By January 1st, I was already making excuses and stuffing my face with leftover holiday treats. Why? Because I was doing it all wrong. And trust me, it’s not your fault. It’s the three reasons I’m about to break down for you.

Reason #1: Your New Year’s Resolution Was Way Too Aggressive (It’s Giving “Psycho” Energy)

Let’s be real—how many of you set resolutions like “I’m cutting out sugar for good!” or “I’m going Paleo, Whole30, gluten-free, dairy-free, sugar-free, seed-oil-free…” phew—that’s a lot of rules to follow, my friend.

You’re motivated on Day 1—heck, even Day 2. But then that “Oh, I can totally do this” feeling fades, and suddenly you’re in a panic at lunch because someone ordered pizza, and you’re like, “Wait, I can’t have pizza, but I’m SO hungry and stressed.”

Then it’s like—why bother? The goal seems so far away (goodbye pizza, hello self-doubt). You’re not where you want to be, and the goal feels so distant. That’s why we crash and burn.

Here’s the thing: If your goals are too aggressive, they’re probably going to fail. So take a step back. Are they achievable? Do you actually want to do them? And most importantly—are they sustainable? Can you go out to lunch with friends or handle a stressful day without feeling like you’re “cheating?”

Spoiler alert: If your answer is no, then it’s time for a rethink.

Reason #2: The “All or Nothing” Mentality: A Dieting Disaster

This is where most of us get stuck—the all-or-nothing mentality. It’s like this: you either nail your workout and food goals, or you spiral into a cookie-fueled binge-fest. If you slip up, you think, “Well, that’s it. I’ve failed. Might as well eat everything in sight!”

It starts small—one cookie turns into a whole box, one slice of pizza turns into six, and boom! Next thing you know, you’re binging and telling yourself you’ll just start again on Monday (a classic).

Here’s the thing: when you slip up, don’t throw in the towel. Don’t give in to the “Well, I messed up, so I might as well go all the way!” mentality. It’s about moderation—and if that sounds like a foreign concept, I get it. I used to feel the same way.

The trick? Awareness. Recognize those all-or-nothing thoughts. When you mess up, catch yourself before you turn a small mistake into a major setback. The goal isn’t perfection; it’s consistency.

Reason #3: External Motivators Aren’t Gonna Save You (Spoiler: They Never Do)

Here’s the biggie. The reason your New Year’s diet probably flopped already? You were relying on something outside of yourself to make the change. That magical date on the calendar—January 1st, right? Or maybe it’s when the kids go back to school or when you lose five pounds.

Newsflash: external things don’t change you. You’re the one who needs to do the inner work—mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Using a date on the calendar or some external factor to try to “kickstart” your transformation? It’s like thinking a magic wand will make your binge-eating problems disappear.

So when the date passes and the motivation fades, you’re left wondering, “Why am I still doing the same thing?” Because you haven’t changed anything internally—just the calendar.

Breaking the Cycle: The Path to Real Change

So, here’s the big takeaway: If you want permanent change, stop waiting for a date on the calendar or for some outside circumstance to motivate you. It’s about understanding why you think the way you do, catching those negative thoughts, and making small, sustainable shifts in your behavior.

You can do this! It’s not about perfection, it’s about progress. So let’s stop setting ourselves up for failure with aggressive goals, the all-or-nothing mindset, and relying on external motivators. Trust me, you’ve got this.