4 min
As soon as the porch door opens, both of our cats sprint outside to hunt lizards.
If you woke up in Central Florida yesterday, you already know what happened next – those cats bolted right back inside the second that cold air hit. (Win for the lizards!)
Let’s be honest… it’s not just the cats that want to turn tail when it’s cold. I moved to Florida in 2017 to escape winter, but mornings like that make me wonder if it followed me here.
This time of year not only brings out the chill, but the excuses.
“It’s not the right time.”
“I’ll start after the holidays.”
“It’s too cold.”
“I need to get in shape first.”
Excuses age you faster than time ever could.
The people who stay strong, mobile, and confident into their 50s, 60s, and 70s aren’t the ones who never struggle. They’re the ones who stop letting the struggle win.
This one’s a classic. People think waiting until January gives them a fresh start. But January doesn’t bring magic; it brings more of the same habits.
Starting now means you roll into January already strong. It means you’ve proven you can stay steady when most people quit.
Every year, we see the same pattern: most folks aim to “maintain,” or worse, allow themselves to binge hoping they’re motivated enough to make a change in the new year. Our crew? They often make progress.
If you can stay consistent during the hardest season, every other month feels easy.
I get it. That Florida chill cuts deep when you’re used to 90°. That’s not cold – that’s betrayal.
But discomfort is a test, not a reason to quit.
If you only train when it’s easy, you’ll never be strong enough for when it’s not.
Those cold mornings are mental reps. Each one builds a kind of discipline that seeps into everything else you do – how you eat, how you sleep, how you handle stress.
Discomfort reveals who’s serious about their goals and who’s just flirting with them.
Meet Lynn.
She came in sore, humbled, and a little frustrated watching women ten years older outlifting her. But she kept showing up.
Now, soreness isn’t her reason to stop, it’s her reminder she’s still adapting. She’s learned that strength doesn’t care how old you are; it rewards patience, not perfection.
If you’re sore, you’re working. If you’re showing up, you’re already ahead.
Note: I’m not talking about the level of soreness that makes you cringe before sitting on the toilet.
The oldest one in the book. But here’s what we’ve seen: the women who “don’t have time” are the ones who get it done.
They check their protein progress between work calls. They walk during lunch. They lift before the kids wake up.
They make time because they’ve learned their health doesn’t wait.
It’s not about having time, it’s about protecting the time you’ve got.
Mary Beth could’ve waited too. She joined at a size 20, thinking she was too far gone and wondering if anything would work for her. Today she’s a 16 and I got to her about her new $15 jeans (clearly, she’s thrifty). But the real win is her energy. She feels capable again. Her words, not mine: “I wish I’d started three years earlier.”
Every “I’ll start later” story ends the same way – with someone wishing they’d started sooner.
The other day, a member texted to pay a month for another woman whose paycheck was delayed.
That’s the kind of community we’ve built. One where generosity kills the “I can’t afford it” narrative and support crushes the “I can’t do this alone” story.
When you surround yourself with people who believe in you, your excuses stop sounding convincing.
We all have excuses. The trick is not letting them decide who we become or how capable we are as we age.
Longevity isn’t just about your body – it’s about your mindset. It’s the quiet decision to keep showing up when it’s cold, busy, or inconvenient.
So here’s the challenge: prove to yourself that you can stay steady when it’s hardest.
Join Nika before the end of the month and you’ll get our 21 Tough Challenge as a bonus. 21 days to prove you can stay consistent through the hardest season, and roll into January already stronger than most.
Because the toughest season should be your turning point, not your timeout.
Chat with a coach to discover how our programs can fit into your lifestyle and help you achieve your goals. Let’s get you started on your fitness journey today!
