Why Cody Rigsby Feels Quitting Can Be The Ultimate Wellness Power Move

Happy National Quitter’s Day! While some may read that and immediately think it’s a negative thing, it can actually be a positive move.

January 9 was designated National Quitter’s Day because it’s the day that more than 50% of people are predicted to quit their New Year’s resolutions.

Peloton instructor, podcast host, and dancer Cody Rigsby sat down with The Blast to explain when quitting can be a good idea, tips to make better resolutions you won’t want to quit, and what’s ahead for him.

'Quit The Chaos' On National Quitter's Day

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Cody Rigsby (@codyrigsby)

National Quitter’s Day, observed on January 9 each year, is known as the point when most people abandon the New Year’s resolutions they hoped to conquer. Studies suggest that more than 50% of resolutions are dropped by this date, as overly ambitious or restrictive goals become difficult to maintain, and frustration may be setting in. 

While quitting is often viewed as a failure, the day has increasingly been reframed as an opportunity to reassess what isn’t working and pivot toward more realistic, sustainable habits. Rather than giving up altogether, National Quitter’s Day encourages people to quit unrealistic expectations and choose approaches that better support long-term success.

Rigsby partnered with Kashi to help people find more realistic resolutions to focus on so quitting them altogether doesn't have to be the only option. Celebrate "Quitter's Day" with Rigsby and Kashi by saying "bye to chaos" and hello to more realistic goals.

Cody Rigsby Wants You To 'Quit The Stuff That's Impeding You From Achieving Your Goal'

The fitness and Peloton instructor, podcast host, and former "Dancing with the Stars" contestant said you don't have to throw it all away if you're not meeting your goals. Rigsby is changing the typical narrative and celebrating the day by quitting "the stuff that's impeding you from achieving" any set goals.

"Over complication or setting too big of a goal is what makes it feel overwhelming so it's really letting go of unsustainable habits. I'm a big advocate of that. I always think, especially with workouts, is if you're starting a workout, start small and start a small duration like maybe 20 minutes three times a day and that's something achievable," he told The Blast exclusively. "Trying to work out an hour five days a week and you haven't worked out in five years; you're already setting yourself up for failure so it's small achievable goals."

He partnered with Kashi to encourage setting more sustainable goals rather than quitting big goals that are just not working out.

"If you're working your macros and you want your protein intake, Kashi is a great thing for that because it has 10 grams of protein and 10 grams of fiber," he continued. "I was very heavy on the sweets over the holidays, so I'm totally sugared out and I actually love a bowl of Kashi when I have a sweet treat craving, especially at night."

So What Does Cody Rigsby Plan To Quit On National Quitter's Day?

When asked what he plans to quit to celebrate the day, Rigsby explained his mindset and what he plans to let go of.

"I think I've set fairly achievable goals. I'm also doing dry January, and that one is not too challenging for me because I was very heavy-handed with the booze this holiday season and just the sight of alcohol and I'm going to throw up at this point," he shared with a laugh.

"I'm quitting being harsh on myself when I don't achieve something exactly perfectly. I've also been trying to work on getting on the treadmill and running a little bit, and I haven't even been on once this week, and I was aiming for two to three times a week. So I'm just going to quit being harsh on myself, give myself grace, and keep it pumping."

Reframing And Not Feeling Guilty Is The Key

If you feel the need to quit a resolution because it's just not working out as you had hoped, one thing Rigsby wants you to not feel is guilty.

"I think it's a reframe, let's not feel guilty or feel like we've failed, let's just reframe that. Maybe we bit off more than we can chew and you know a lot of people are gonna quit something so just reframing it like how do I make this achievable? How do I take this massive goal that I've set and make it achievable? I always think when we set goals, we're looking at this big picture," he explained. "So, if we zoomed all the way out, we're not going to know where it's going to feel overwhelming. It's going to feel like there's a million steps to get in it."

He suggests looking at the smaller picture and focus on one day at a time, one week at a time, or even one workout or meal at a time.

"The more that you show up to that little thing that makes you feel like you've achieved something that makes you feel good, the more that you're going to come back to it," he continued. "You're going to be like, oh I feel really good after this workout, so I'm going to come back to it, and I'm going to be excited about it. Maybe it's like eating a really nourishing meal; you're going to come back to it."

He further explained that it's easier to keep a resolution going strong when you focus on just one thing at a time and build the good habits around it day by day.

Cody Rigsby Talks Podcast, 'DWTS,' And What's Next

In addition to being a fitness and Peloton instructor, Rigsby fills his time doing a podcast with his friend Andrew Chappelle, actor and Broadway star.

"'Tactful Pettiness' started almost a year and a half ago. We're moving into year two in June," he told The Blast. "It's a place where we kind of talk about pop culture or nostalgic pop culture and have fun. People know me for being funny and I think Andrew's one of the funniest people I know, so us together is really good. And my assistant is also part of the podcast. She gives a great female perspective that the two of us don't have. So just two New York gays talking about the goings ons of life and having a good laugh and keeping things light."

Avid "Dancing with the Stars" fans will remember Rigsby's time on the show in 2021 dancing with Cheryl Burke. They made it to third place in the competition. When asked the toughest part of being on the show, Rigsby said it had to be the grueling schedule with no days off. But the experience wasn't all work and no fun.

"I essentially didn't have a day off from Labor Day to Thanksgiving. Thankfully I made it to the finale, but it was like no days off. I also think just having to learn a new dance every week," he said. "I think the most fun for me was having this creative space to be a storyteller. I tried to really tell a lot of queer storytelling."

All in all, Rigsby said he was really glad to have the opportunity to be on the show, but he wishes he allowed himself to enjoy it more in the moment and not put so much pressure on himself, something most people can surely relate to.

As for what's next for the fitness guru, he wants to continue to grow the podcast and get more into acting.

"I have some acting opportunities that are coming my way, so that's definitely coming into play," he said. "I've done opportunities like that before but this time I think I'm going to take it a little bit more seriously and jump into that."