Most of us are tempted to put our fitness and nutrition on pause as the year winds down and the holiday feasts wind up. Because, why not? January 1st is the perfect clean slate for all our health goals, right? Maybe not. If you’re considering a break until the New Year or even waiting until then to get started, you may be setting yourself up for a tougher climb back to where you are now. Here’s why maintaining your health routine (or starting one now) through the holiday season is not just good for your body, but also for your spirit. It can also set you apart from the crowd when the New Year’s resolutions rush begins.
- Momentum is Precious – Keep It or Start It
- Going Consistently is Key: Just like a train gaining speed, your fitness and nutrition efforts build momentum over time. Stopping now means you’ll have to work harder to regain your pace come January.
- Avoid the January Overwhelm: Gyms are always crowded at the start of the New Year. Stick with your current fitness routine now or start one, and you’ll be in an established rhythm, avoiding the rush and the pressure.
- Manageable Indulgences Over Major Overhauls
- 80/20 Rule: By sticking to your fitness and nutrition plan 80% of the time, you can still enjoy your holiday favorites without the guilt or the need for drastic measures later.
- Controlled Celebrations: Learning to indulge within limits now will build habits that last well beyond the holidays, making future self-control far less discouraging.
- Holiday Stress and Your Secret Weapon
- Exercise as an Outlet: Use your workouts as a stress-buster during the hectic holiday season. Consistent exercise can keep you calm and collected amidst the chaos.
- Nutrition Affects Mood: Keeping up with a balanced diet helps stabilize your mood and energy levels, making holiday pressures more manageable, and the 80/20 rule easier to stick to.
- The Gift of Health is Forever the Perfect Gift
- Set a Positive Example: Be the inspiration in your circle. Encourage friends and family to join you in your commitment to health, turning holiday gatherings into opportunities for group activities and healthy meals.
- Holiday Specials: Use this time to take advantage of holiday deals on nutrition and fitness products, and jump-start your goals with new gear or supplements.
- Enter the New Year with Confidence
- No Starting Over: While others are dealing with the post-holiday slump, you’ll be continuing your journey without missing a beat, feeling proud and confident in your unwavering commitment.
- Celebrating Real Progress: Imagine celebrating not just a New Year, but new milestones in your fitness and health journey. Stay the course now, and you can make it happen.
The truth is, the calendar is subjective—the dedication you’ve shown to your health and the pride you feel in your progress should not be tied to a date or time of year. Let’s redefine the New Year’s resolution by resolving to not wait. Stick with your plan (or start a fitness journey) through the holidays, and watch as you leap into January with energy, strength, and a head start on those “New Year, New Me” goals. Your future self will thank you for the forethought.