This Year, Let’s Do Health Differently

Every January, we’re told this is the year everything changes. New goals. New routines. New rules. And often, the same familiar pressure: eat less, move more, try harder. But if you’ve been down that road before—especially if you’re in your 30s, 40s, or beyond—you may already know the truth: Trying harder isn’t the problem. This year, let’s do health differently.

If Willpower Worked, It Would Have Worked By Now

Most people who struggle with their weight, energy, mood, or overall health aren’t lacking discipline. In fact, many have spent years doing all the “right” things:

• Following diet plans

• Tracking calories

• Exercising consistently

• Reading wellness books

• Taking supplements

Yet the results feel temporary—or never quite match the effort. That’s not a personal failure. It’s a sign that health is more complex than resolutions and willpower.

Health Is Not a Moral Test

Somewhere along the way, we were taught that health is a reflection of character. That if your body doesn’t respond the way you expect, you must not be trying hard enough. This belief is deeply ingrained—and deeply harmful.

Modern medicine tells a very different story. Health outcomes are shaped by complex, interacting systems in the body, many of which operate far outside conscious control. Metabolism, appetite regulation, fat storage, and energy balance are governed by hormones and signaling pathways designed to keep us alive—not to fit into cultural ideals. Weight, metabolism, energy, sleep, mood, and even motivation are influenced by:

• Hormones (including insulin, cortisol, estrogen, testosterone, and thyroid hormones)

• Genetics and family history

• Insulin resistance and metabolic adaptation

• Chronic stress and inflammation

• Sleep quality and circadian rhythm disruption

• Medications and medical conditions

• Life stage changes (like perimenopause or menopause)

When these systems are under strain, the body often becomes more resistant to change—not because it’s broken, but because it’s protecting itself. This year, let’s remove shame from the conversation and replace it with understanding.

Doing Health Differently Means Getting Curious—Not Critical

Instead of asking:

“Why can’t I stick to this?”

Try asking:

“What is my body trying to tell me?”

Curiosity shifts the focus from blame to problem-solving. Doing health differently means slowing down enough to gather meaningful information—about your habits, your physiology, and your lived experience. It means recognizing patterns rather than judging outcomes. This approach often includes:

• Reviewing weight trends over time rather than week-to-week fluctuations

• Assessing metabolic markers like insulin, glucose, lipids, and inflammation

• Evaluating sleep, stress, and recovery—not just diet and exercise

• Understanding hunger and satiety cues instead of overriding them

• Identifying barriers that make consistency difficult

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When we replace criticism with curiosity, we can design plans that are realistic, adaptable, and sustainable.

Especially If You’re in Midlife, the Rules Have Changed

Many women notice that what worked in their 20s and 30s simply stops working in their 40s and 50s. Weight shifts toward the midsection, sleep becomes lighter or more fragmented, energy drops, and mood feels less predictable. This can be incredibly frustrating—especially when effort hasn’t changed.

This isn’t because you suddenly became “bad at health.” It’s because physiology changes.

During perimenopause and menopause, fluctuations and eventual declines in estrogen and progesterone affect:

• Insulin sensitivity and fat distribution

• Muscle mass and metabolic rate

• Sleep quality and thermoregulation

• Stress response and mood regulation

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In this stage of life, doing health differently may mean:

• Adjusting expectations and timelines

• Addressing insulin resistance more directly

• Supporting hormone changes thoughtfully and safely

• Prioritizing strength training to preserve muscle and bone

• Treating sleep and stress as medical priorities, not luxuries

• Considering medical therapies when appropriate

  
  

These approaches aren’t shortcuts—they’re evidence-based responses to a changing body.

A Different Kind of Resolution

Traditional resolutions often focus on restriction, intensity, and perfection. They leave little room for real life—and even less room for biology. A different kind of resolution sounds more like this:

“This year, I will stop fighting my body and start working with it.”

That mindset shift alone can be transformative. In practice, it may look like:

• Seeking medical guidance instead of relying on conflicting internet advice

• Setting health goals that prioritize function and well-being, not just appearance

• Allowing flexibility during stressful seasons rather than abandoning the plan altogether

• Measuring progress with multiple markers, not just the scale

• Building a relationship with a care team who listens, explains, and partners with you

  
  

Progress doesn’t have to be dramatic to be meaningful. Consistent, supported change compounds over time.

Let’s Redefine What Success Looks Like

Success isn’t just weight loss.

It’s better energy.

Better sleep.

Improved labs.

More strength.

Fewer food battles.

And feeling supported instead of judged.

This year doesn’t need a new version of you.

It just needs a more compassionate, informed, and personalized approach to health.

This year, let’s do health differently.

Ready to Do Health Differently?

If this message resonates with you, you’re not alone—and you don’t have to figure it out by yourself.

Doing health differently often starts with having the right conversations, looking at the right data, and building a plan that fits your body, your life, and your stage of life.

In our practice, we focus on personalized, evidence-based, physician-guided care that addresses the whole picture—metabolic health, hormones, nutrition, movement, mental well-being, and sustainable habits—without shame or quick fixes.

If you’re ready to stop battling your body and start working with it, we’re here to help.

This year can be different—with the right support.

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About Cardona Direct Primary Care & RefineMD Aesthetics

At Cardona Direct Primary Care, Dr. Cardona and Dr. Garland provide personalized healthcare, including direct primary care, obesity medicine, and aesthetic treatments. Dr. Cardona is board-certified in both family medicine and obesity medicine and has a special interest in medical weight loss. Dr. Garland is board-certified in family medicine and is a certified medical marijuana provider. She has a special interest in skincare and is eager to assist with your individual skincare needs. Located in Jacksonville, FL, we are dedicated to prioritizing you. Contact us at 904-551-4625 or visit our website at www.cardonadpc.com to learn more and schedule your appointment today!