New years’ resolution ideas you just might keep

How do you find a new year's resolution you'll keep?

1. Make a wish list
   What do you already love doing? Do you want to do more of it? Get better at it? Do it in different locations? Or do you want to do something totally different? Write it all down. Then ask yourself: what's the one thing on that list that genuinely excites you? That's your starting point.‍
2. Map out the steps to making it happen
   Let’s say you want to ride your first wave. Have you got a friend who could take you out? Do they have a learner board? Or will you try a class? How likely is it that you’ll get hurt? Should you grab injury insurance for the day? Break your goal into actionable steps so you can tackle it bit by bit.‍
3. Set a date
   Planning is the hard bit. Once you’ve got that locked in, you can start looking forward to your adventure.

New years’ resolution ideas and how to make them happen

Here are some resolution ideas for people who'd rather be on a trail, in the water or on a slope than on the couch or in a gym.

• Mountain biking
  
  • Learn a new skill: pick one technical skill like drifting, drops, steep descents, and commit to it. Watch how-to videos, then get out and practice. 
  • Build a trail: find your local MTB community through social media and ask how you can contribute. Grab a shovel and get involved, it's surprisingly satisfying.
  • Ride that trail: yes, the one you’ve been avoiding. This is the year.
• Surfing
  
  • Get paddle fit: it's not glamorous, but paddle fitness is what unlocks the good sessions. Build your shoulder and back strength through summer and you'll be catching more waves by autumn.
  • Go somewhere new: research a different break, or try a wave park. Head off the beaten track and away from your regular haunts. 
  • Be a better surfer: bring your own wax, help out a grom, collect rubbish on the beach and rinse out your wetsuit (yes, every time).
• Rock climbing
  
  • Share the love: make this the year you introduce a friend to climbing, or join a new club or gym. Having a regular climbing partner is one of the best ways to push your progress.
  • Push the grades: climb in new areas and push yourself. Set your sights on small steps through the year. Get used to failing and enjoy the sweetness when you pass.
  • Warm up properly: loads of climbing injuries can be prevented by taking the time to stretch and warm up before you hang from those fingers. If you’re trying something new, consider getting injury insurance so if you suffer an eligible accidental injury, you’ll get a fast cash payout for approved claims which you can use to help your recovery.
• Cycling
  
  • Ride to work: commuting on your bike builds fitness faster than most dedicated training plans. If you work from home, an early ride does the same job, you'll start your day noticeably better.
  • Join a cycling club: For many younger athletes, social connection rather than fitness goals is their main reason for joining a group. And the data backs it up: grouped activities on Strava get twice the kudos of solo efforts.
  • Learn how to do basic repairs and maintenance: knowing how to fix a flat, adjust your brakes and oil your chain will save you time, money and grief. There are excellent tutorials for every bike type online.
• Snowsports
  
  • Get snow fit now: the best time to start preparing for the season is well before the lifts open. Focus on glutes, quads and core stability. A stronger base reduces injury risk significantly.
  • Try something new: swap skis for a board, try a splitboard, look into touring or explore some cross-country trails. Most ski areas have far more on offer than most people ever try.‍
  • Go sustainable: buy second-hand gear, support brands with genuine environmental credentials and take a reusable bottle. Small choices add up over a season.

How do you make a resolution actually stick?

Three things that genuinely help keep your new years’ resolutions:

1. Be specific: "Exercise more" is not a goal. "Complete a 50 km mountain bike race by July" is a goal. Being specific creates accountability.
2. Be social: Make the goal with someone else, or join a community around it. You're significantly more likely to follow through when someone else is involved.
3. Make it fun: This sounds obvious, but it matters. When you're doing something that genuinely gives you a lift, you don't need motivation, you just go.

What if things don't go to plan?

Adventures come with some risk, and sometimes things go wrong. If you're taking on something new like a harder trail, a bigger wave or a more technical climb, it's worth thinking about what happens if you get hurt.

Flip Active pays you cash directly to your bank account on approved claims if you're injured in an accident. You can use it however you need, like on physio, babysitters, bandaids or food delivery while you're on the couch recovering. Cover is available from $7 for a single day, so you can activate it for exactly the moments that you feel most at risk. Always read our PDS to see if Flip is right for you.

Frequently asked questions

What are the best active new year's resolutions?

The best ones are specific, achievable and genuinely appealing to you. Sport-specific goals — a target race, a new skill, a destination trip — tend to be more motivating than general fitness targets.

How do you keep a new year's resolution?

Break the goal into concrete steps, lock in a date, and involve someone else. Social accountability is consistently one of the strongest predictors of follow-through.

Does Flip Active cover new activities or sports?

Flip Active covers almost all sports and activities. It pays a cash payout on approved claims for accidental injuries, directly to your bank account, to use however you need while you recover. See the current PDS for full details of what's covered.

Do I need insurance for adventure sports?

That depends on the activity and your personal circumstances. For higher-risk activities or unfamiliar terrain, having some form of accidental injury cover in place means that if you suffer an eligible injury, you have a financial buffer while you're out of action to help with all the incidental costs that come with being injured.