New Year’s Resolutions in Fargo-Moorhead: How to Stay Realistic and Committed

Anecdotal evidence says we up North are a results-driven people who can be hard on ourselves. Experts say to stay patient and forgiving when pursuing one's goals.

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) – With the New Year comes new resolve to formulate goals and put increased effort into self-improvement.

In Fargo-Moorhead, though, the weather may make those good intentions easier envisioned than executed.

David Ernst of Anytime Fitness says that Northern cold does sometimes delay gym resolutions.

“When it’s 20 below zero, you’re not too motivated to leave the house,” he said.

Once people do get inside, it’s still easy to get discouraged, with many expecting results to come almost instantaneously. He says consistency and having a plan are the likeliest ways to ensure success if getting in shape is on your checklist.

Meanwhile, creative healing and wellness expert Nichole Rae is all too familiar with the hardworking Midwestern mentality that can make it difficult to set time aside for personal growth.

“So many people that I’m talking to, even if they’re accomplishing beautiful things, or they started a business, it’s like it’s never enough,” she said.

She also cautions against the idea that setting standards for 2026 means you somehow failed in 2025.

“When you don’t land and celebrate the year and notice some of the things you did well, you come into the New Year feeling deficient,” she added.

Instead, she champions a practice titled “forgive and release” and encourages people to focus on small victories in service of larger success.

In a recent nationwide poll regarding resolutions, 48% of respondents said they planned to exercise more, which made it the most common resolution. Second was save more money and fourth was spend more time with family and friends.