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Fresh Starts and Fast Results: Your 10-Day Plan for the New Year

December 30, 2024

Ever felt like New Year’s Day is your chance to become a new person?

Some think it’s silly. Others find it exciting.

But whether you love it or roll your eyes, there’s science behind that “new year, new you” feeling.

According to University of Pennsylvania researchers, a psychological concept called the “fresh start effect” explains why certain dates—like the start of a new year—can be so motivating for making big changes.1,2

These moments, known as “temporal landmarks,” create a psychological barrier between the “old you” and the “new you,” say the scientists. This helps you mentally separate your past failures from your future potential.

Of course, we all know what often happens to New Year’s resolutions—especially the health-related ones: They can fizzle out fast.

So, how do you make that fresh start stick?

The key is knowing how to keep your momentum going. And I’m about to show you the best way I’ve found. (Spoiler: It’s called The 10-Day Detox.)

What to Know about Fresh Starts

When the University of Pennsylvania researchers analyzed data from gym visits for nearly 12,000 people, they found a noticeable spike in attendance at the beginning of the week, month, and year.¹

What’s more, study participants reported higher intentions to start goals or projects after those temporal landmarks (think: “New Year’s Day,” “March 1st,” or even just “Monday”).

So, fresh starts are happening all the time, all around us. It seems to be human nature.

But here’s the problem: The scientists also found these boosts in motivation fade pretty quickly. This is a big reason why so many folks find themselves cycling from one fresh start to the next.

How Can You Make Your Fresh Start Stick?

If fresh starts get you going, fast results help keep you going.

Think about it in terms of weight loss.

If you start a new diet plan, and you don’t lose weight the first couple of weeks, how motivated are you going to be to stay with it?

On the flip side, if you see immediate results, you’ll be more likely to stay the course. After all, you’re getting the benefits of the effort that you’re putting in.

Case in point: a Stanford University study of 1.4 million MyFitnessPal members.³ The researchers found that “a user who loses between 4-5 pounds over the first two weeks of their 20-40 pound loss goal is twice as likely to meet that goal as one who loses between 1 and 2 pounds.

Which begs the question…

How Do You Get Fast Results?

There are no guarantees, but the closest thing I’ve found to one is The 10-Day Detox.

When I first launched this program, every single participant in the pilot program lost weight, with many losing 5 to 10 pounds—in just 10 days.

Even better, they reported, on average, a 60 percent reduction in symptoms such as bloating, heartburn, brain fog, joint pain, digestive issues, skin problems, and more.

These are the kind of daily symptoms that erode your quality of life, bit by bit. And when you get relief, it feels like you’ve been liberated.

That can be powerful motivation. The kind that fuels long-term lifestyle changes—and even more dramatic transformations.

What Can Happen in Just 10 Days?

Well, in her own words, Tammara, from Florida, says she “lost 10 pounds effortlessly,” had a “considerable reduction in pain,” and “experienced improved mental clarity and reduced stress.”

Alena, from Denver, says, “I lost 6 pounds, felt more energized, and my digestion had significantly improved—no bloating at all.”

And Jennifer, from Washington, DC, says: “I lost over 7 pounds and gained so much energy—it was just what I needed to reset my health.”

These are the kind of fast results people experience over and over on The 10-Day Detox. And you can, too. Just make sure you…

Don’t Get In Your Own Way

Fast results can be incredibly motivating, but they aren’t the only factor that drives success. For some, the biggest challenge isn’t the plan—it’s mindset.

If you’re someone who’s highly self-critical or overly focused on what others think, that inner voice might make things harder than they need to be.

According to a University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth study, people with a personality trait known as “socially prescribed perfectionism” often get stuck in cycles of self-criticism and worry about meeting others’ expectations.⁴

This mindset can create stress, making it difficult to stay focused on what really matters.

How to Work With Your Personality, Not Against It

If this sounds familiar, the key is to take a gentler approach that keeps the focus on you and your goals—not on pleasing others.

Focus on progress, not perfection: It’s hard to eat “perfectly”—even if it’s only for 10 days. So do the best you can, and recognize that this, in itself, is a step forward. If you “mess up,” shake it off: Make your next meal a fresh start.
Practice a “growth mindset”: If you have a rough day or feel discouraged, don’t beat yourself up. Instead, ask, “What can I learn from this?” Then move on. Every step, even the missteps, is part of the journey.
Reconnect with your “why”: Ask yourself why you want a fresh start. Is it to feel better, have more energy, or regain confidence? Or maybe it’s something bigger. Something deeper. Here’s a secret: It always is. (Check out “What’s Your Deeper ‘Why’” below to figure it out.) Keep your reasons front and center—they’re what will keep you focused and moving forward.

What’s Your Deeper “Why”?

Sometimes figuring out why you want a fresh start takes more than a quick answer. Start with the first “why” that comes to mind—then ask yourself again: “Why does this matter to me?” (You might need to ask yourself “why” five or six more times to get the root answer!) Here’s how it might look:

I want to feel more comfortable and confident in my own skin.
Why? Because when I look in the mirror, I want to see someone who reflects the effort and care I put into myself—someone I’m proud of.
I want the energy to explore new hobbies or revisit old passions.
Why? Because I miss feeling excited about life, discovering new things, and having a sense of purpose outside of my daily routines.
I want to keep up with my kids—or grandkids—on the playground.
Why? Because I want to be part of their adventures, not just watch from the sidelines. I want to create memories that last a lifetime.
I want to reduce reliance on medications and improve my overall health.
Why? Because I want to feel in control of my body and my future, instead of feeling dependent or worried about what’s next.
I want to feel strong and capable when I hike that bucket-list trail.
Why? Because it’s not just about the trail—it’s about proving to myself that I can do hard things and savor the freedom that comes with that strength.
I want to be present and engaged during family dinners or special events.
Why? Because these are the moments that matter most, and I want to soak them all in without feeling tired or distracted.
I want to travel the world without worrying about my stamina or health holding me back.
Why? Because I want to experience life fully, with no “what ifs” or regrets about the adventures I didn’t take.
I want to live longer and enjoy quality time with the people who matter most.
Why? Because I don’t just want more years—I want better years, filled with love, laughter, and memories with the people who make life worth living.

Want to see what The 10-Day Detox can do for you? There’s only one way to find out. Learn more here.

References

Powers TA, Koestner R, Topciu RA. Implementation intentions, perfectionism, and goal progress: perhaps the road to hell is paved with good intentions. Pers Soc Psychol Bull [Internet]. 2005 Jul;31(7):902–12.
Gordon ML, Althoff T, Leskovec J. Goal-setting and achievement in activity tracking apps: A case study of MyFitnessPal. Proc Int World Wide Web Conf. 2019 May;2019:571–82.
Dai H, Milkman KL, Riis J. Put your imperfections behind you: Temporal landmarks spur goal initiation when they signal new beginnings. Psychol Sci. 2015 Dec;26(12):1927–36.
Dai H, Milkman KL, Riis J. The fresh start effect: Temporal landmarks motivate aspirational behavior. Manage Sci. 2014 Oct;60(10):2563–82.

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