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Don’t Wait For January: Why Starting Now Gives You a Head Start

December isn’t the problem, waiting is. Every year, millions of people hit January feeling heavier, tired and frustrated because they waited for the calendar to change instead of their habits. People feel too busy, too stressed and too tempted to start now and use Christmas and January as an excuse to back out of keeping their body healthy. It may feel rational but it's a self-sabotage loop. The only way to break this cycle is to try something new, go in with a different mindset and change your patterns.


Running in the winter snow

There is nothing wrong with taking time to relax, by eating a few too many mince pies or taking a break from your normal routine over Christmas but this will set you back when entering the New Year. By the time January rolls around you’ve avoided exercise for weeks, you're feeling lethargic and you are so out of routine you don't know what day it is. 


95% of New Year's resolutions are fitness related, but up to 80% of people have already abandon their goals by the second week of February with the most common failure point being the first month. These goals tend to fail due to the overpromise individuals make to themselves when setting these big unrealistic plans. 


To give yourself the best chance of success you should continue throughout the festive season to take care of your body and mind. Exercise gives you energy, increases serotonin and boosts your immune system. These put you in the best position to fight off any winter illnesses, reduce stress and give your body what it needs. Here are some simple habits you can build on over the Christmas period to build a good foundation of health before starting any New Year's resolutions: 


  • Go outside in the daylight for at least 15 minutes a day

  • Be having your 5 a day

  • 3 litres of water

  • Aiming for between 7k-10k steps a day

Christmas festive buffet food- vegetables, meat, salad

Final Thoughts


Research shows that the average person puts on about 2kg over the Christmas period. Christmas isn't just one day, its weeks of parties, social gatherings and excess food.

To reverse the feelings of unmotivating and guilt from over indulging, keep up small habits over December so it doesn’t feel too hard of a hit when January comes around. New year goals hit different when you start them early. Walk into January ahead of the game. Are you ready? 


New year's resolutions are great but they don’t always last. Don't wait for the calendar to tell you when to start, build those habits and finish the year strong.



References

David Lloyd Clubs. (2024). Why you shouldn’t put off exercise until the New Year [Blog post]. Retrieved from https://blog.davidlloyd.co.uk/fitness/why-you-shouldnt-put-off-exercise-until-the-new-year/


Falls, C. (2023, January 3). The psychology behind why New Year’s resolutions fail [Web article]. VeryWellMind. Retrieved from https://www.verywellmind.com/why-new-years-resolutions-fail-6823972


MVS Psychology. (2023, October 3). Christmas psychology: The mindset of the holiday season [Web article]. Retrieved from https://www.mvspsychology.com.au/christmas-psychology-the-mindset-of-the-holiday-season/


Sundried. (n.d.). Research shows 43% of people expect to give up their New Year’s resolutions by February [Blog post]. Retrieved from https://www.sundried.com/blogs/training/research-shows-43-of-people-expect-to-give-up-their-new-year-s-resolutions-by-february


The Healthy Eating Hub. (n.d.). 12 healthy days of Christmas [Web page]. Retrieved from https://www.hriuk.org/health/nutrition/12-healthy-days-of-christmas



 
 
 

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