Why Wait Until January? Start Building Fitness Momentum Now
It's only October, but the holidays are already starting to fill up the calendar. There are family gatherings to plan, shopping to do, and plenty of things competing for your time.
Maybe you've been thinking about getting back into an exercise routine, but with everything coming up, you've decided January would be a better time to start.
I understand the thinking. December is already busy, so why add something else?
But I've always felt that staying active during the holidays is important, even if you're not doing quite as much as you normally would. And if you've been wanting to get started, there's no reason you have to wait until the new year.
Why January Seems Like a Better Time
It's easy to convince yourself that you'll have more time and energy once the holidays are over.
You picture getting through Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's, and then finally having the chance to focus on yourself again.
The problem is that January doesn't necessarily make life less busy. Work picks up, family responsibilities continue, and there are always things that need your attention.
If you've been putting off exercise because you're waiting for a less complicated time, you could find yourself having the same conversation a few months from now.
This isn’t a motivation problem — it’s a strategy mismatch for this stage of life.
I think sometimes we make getting started harder than it needs to be. We imagine that when we return to exercise, we need to have a complete plan, plenty of time, and enough energy to do everything we intended.
But you don't have to wait until you can do all of that. Even with the holidays coming, you probably have room to start with something small.
How I Stayed Active When Our Kids Were Young
When our children were young, the holidays were always a busy time. Between work, family activities, and everything that needed to get done, there was plenty going on.
But exercise was something I tried to keep part of my routine throughout the season.
That didn't mean I always did the same workouts. Sometimes I dialed things back a little.
Other times, it might have been going for a walk or doing something active with the kids.
I rarely stopped exercising altogether. I just found ways to stay active while enjoying everything else that came with the holidays.
I enjoyed the holidays with my family, and exercise was still part of my life. Some weeks I did less, and that was fine.
I realize that's easier to say when you've already been active for a while. If you're trying to get started again after a long break, you may be wondering how much you should be doing.
You don't have to begin where someone else is, or even where you were a few years ago.
Maybe that's taking a walk a few days a week, doing a short strength workout at home, or getting outside for an activity you enjoy.
Doing something now gives you a chance to get comfortable exercising again rather than making January the date when everything has to change.
If you're not sure what kind of starting point makes sense for you, our Readiness Quiz can help you think through what might fit your life right now.
Give Yourself Something to Build On Before January
Starting now also gives you a few weeks to see what works.
Let's say you've been wanting to get back into strength training. You might decide to start with a short workout once or twice a week using exercises you're familiar with.
Over the next several weeks, you'll have a chance to see how that fits into your life. You may discover that mornings work better than evenings, or that doing your workout at home is easier than getting to the gym.
By January, you could already have some experience with a routine that feels realistic.
You may still need to make adjustments, especially during the busiest holiday weeks. But you'll have something to build on.
I also think it's important to remember that the holidays are meant to be enjoyed. You should be able to spend time with family, celebrate, travel, and enjoy your traditions without feeling that every meal or missed workout is setting you back.
Fitness should support the things you enjoy doing, not become another source of pressure.
What Could You Start This Week?
If you've been telling yourself you'll get back into fitness in January, take five minutes this week to think about what you could begin doing now.
Choose one activity you'd like to make part of your routine before the year ends.
It might be a 10-minute walk after lunch, a short strength workout, or another activity you enjoy and feel comfortable doing.
Think about when you could realistically do it this week, and give it a try. You don't need to plan out the next two months.
When I think back to those busy holiday seasons with our kids, I'm glad we found ways to keep moving, even when our regular routines changed.
You may be in a very different stage of life, with different responsibilities and a different starting point. That's okay.
If you've been thinking about getting back into exercise, I'd start with something you know you can manage this week.
You don't have to wait until January.
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