24. The Real Reason Your Fitness Goals Fail (And How to Fix It for Good)

Extend Podcast with Darshan Shah, MD

In this solo episode of Extend, I’m breaking down the science behind sustainable fitness progress and goal-setting so you can finally make those health resolutions stick.

From understanding your baseline fitness level with key assessments to the power of setting small, realistic goals, I’m guiding you step-by-step through the tools that build long-term consistency. We’ll talk about everything from DEXA scans for precise body composition analysis to why grip strength and lower body power are vital indicators of longevity.

I also share actionable strategies to keep you motivated, avoid plateaus, and make progress checks work for you—not against you. Whether you're starting fresh or trying to push past a plateau, you’ll walk away with a personalized blueprint for success.

Ready to upgrade your fitness journey? Tune in for proven insights you can start applying today!

I Also Discuss:

(00:06) Testing Fitness Progress and Goals

(03:50) Measuring and Improving Physical Fitness

(10:17) Comprehensive Strength and Fitness Testing

(22:00) Motivating Fitness Testing and Goal Setting

Learn more about Dr. Shah:

Website: https://www.drshah.com/

Clinic: https://www.next-health.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/darshanshahmd/