Where to Start in 2026 (And Why Diets Aren't it)

If the Mind Isn't Ready, the Body Won't Follow

Every January, the same cycle repeats.

New diet.

New rules.

New promises.

And by February?

Burnout, guilt, and another “I just need more willpower” spiral.

Here’s the truth most people don’t want to hear >> your problem isn’t food.

It’s not carbs.

It’s not sugar.

It’s not that you’re “bad at diets.”

It’s that you’re trying to change your body without preparing your mind.

And that might sound a bit 'woo woo' and 'far out there'

But it's the exact reason why I coach mindset first with every client I work with.

Why Diet Fads Keep Failing You

Diet fads fail because they ask you to behave like a different person overnight.

They expect you to:

• Eat perfectly

• Ignore stress

• Power through exhaustion

• White-knuckle cravings

• Be “motivated” forever

That’s not real life.

That’s a fantasy with a PDF attached.

Most plans don’t change:

• how you think about food

• how you deal with stress

• how you respond when life goes sideways

• how you speak to yourself when things aren’t perfect

So when the plan ends… or life happens… you’re right back where you started.

Tell me i'm wrong?

Why Mindset Comes First (Not Last)

Here’s how I explain it to clients:

Your body follows instructions from your brain.

If your brain is exhausted, overwhelmed, stressed, or stuck in all-or-nothing thinking — your body will resist change.

That’s why the first thing we work on isn’t:

• calories

• meal plans

• fat loss “rules”

We work on:

• awareness

• habits

• emotional triggers

• expectations

• identity

Because once your mind is aligned, nutrition and training stop feeling like punishment.

They become support.

This Is What I Coach First (Before Food Rules)

Before we ever talk about “what to eat,” we look at:

• Why you want to change (and no, “lose weight” isn’t the real reason)

• What’s sabotaged you before

• How stress, sleep, emotions, and routines are actually driving your choices

• Where perfectionism is keeping you stuck

• What’s realistic in your real life, not Instagram life

This is the foundation.

Without it, even the best plan will crack under pressure.

If you really want to zone in on what drives you, watch this 👇

Yes — You Can Still Eat Your Favourite Foods

Let’s kill another myth while we’re here.

Healthy living is not:

• cutting out everything you enjoy

• earning food through workouts

• starting again every Monday

Real, sustainable progress looks like:

• favourite foods included, not banned

• consistency over perfection

• structure without obsession

• flexibility without chaos

When people stop labelling foods as “good” or “bad,” something powerful happens:

• guilt drops

• binge cycles calm down

• control returns

And suddenly, they don’t need extreme rules anymore.

Training & Nutrition Should Support Your Life — Not Take It Over

Exercise isn’t punishment for what you ate.

Food isn’t something you “deserve” or “mess up.”

When mindset is right:

• workouts become a release, not a chore

• food becomes fuel and enjoyment

• progress stops feeling fragile

This is how change actually lasts.

Watch This Before You Start Another Diet 👇

This is the exact message I share with my clients before we touch anything else, because no plan works if your head isn’t on board and if your nutrition is so restricted that you resent the diet after a couple of weeks.

2026 Isn’t About Another Fresh Start

It’s About a Smarter One

You don’t need:

• a new diet

• a detox

• a reset

You need:

• clarity

• patience

• a mindset that works with you, not against you

And once that’s in place?

The body follows.

If you’re done chasing diets and want a sustainable approach that actually fits real life, this is exactly how I coach my clients, starting with the part most people skip.

Because if the mind isn’t ready… the body won’t follow.

Come and be part of my coaching programme here in Perth >> https://www.perthfitnesscamp.com/kickstartprogramme

Here's to your success

Jason Brownlie

Dad, Husband, Coach @ The Perth Fitness Camp

PS. If you would like to work with me and join a supoortive and encouraging community then you can find all the details here:

https://www.perthfitnesscamp.com/kickstartprogramme