This piece is part of my 2016–2026 archive migration. Some original formatting, content, and external links may be missing, changed, or not be optimized.
Which puts them further away from their health targets
Fewer people are getting in their workouts and are not inclined to do so again until the new year arrives.
I frequently visit different gyms, and the audience is always the same during the holidays.
Sparse.
Either people are working out in their homes or outside or not at all (which is most likely).
But come January, the gyms are more packed than ever because everyone is ready to get back on track with their health and goals.
Why is it so hard to maintain this attitude during the holidays?
The holidays have been associated with lukewarm effort, time off, breaks, relaxation, and a let-your-pants-out or take-your-wig-off mentality.
Spending time with family, the food, the vacations, and the break from routine can get a person so caught up that they abandon their goals without thinking twice about the consequence, which always produces a lack of results or puts more distance between the finish line and their health goals.
As much as it sucks to work out during the holidays while no one else is, do it for yourself.
Never put your health on the back burner.
You will thank yourself for it come January.
Not only will you be ahead of everyone else, but you will be closer to your health goals.
It’s easy to give up your progress for a season, but what’s not easy is making up for all of the progress you threw away in a month or so.
And we all know how taking a break for a month or two can create havoc for our goals.
Some people gain more than anticipated, which only creates more work, time, and effort to reach their ultimate goals.
Hold On To The Consistency
I often take yearly sabbaticals from the gym during the holidays, but not for the entire holidays. I still maintain some level of activity for the holidays, which helps me retain muscle, so I’m not starting from ground zero come January.
What helps me maintain consistency is to do the following:
Keep my goals top of mind and visible.
Keep clean eats and food in my diet.
Avoid eating out as frequently.
If I do eat out, I choose healthier options.
I do an at-home workout if I can’t get to the gym.
Walk as frequently as possible.
Surround myself with positive and inspirational resources (i.e., books and podcasts).
Say “no” more often and maintain firm boundaries. I have to get comfortable saying no to my cravings and others when they offer me foods that differ from my ideal diet.
Do multiple workouts. Sometimes I will split up my workouts into 2 or 3 sessions to make my workouts shorter and to also increase my activity throughout the day.
This content is for informational purposes only — not professional advice. Consult a qualified professional before making any major decisions.
This content is for informational purposes only — not professional advice. Consult a qualified professional before making any major decisions.