The holiday season brings everything from peppermint lattes to endless desserts, but it also brings a familiar urge to make New Year’s fitness resolutions. And while January 1st feels like a natural “start fresh” moment, why wait until after the holidays? Setting fitness goals now can help you beat the post-holiday slump, avoid the January gym crowd, and make fitness a part of your life before the year even begins. So let’s jump into why early goal-setting is a holiday gift to yourself.

Beat the Holiday Overload

It’s easy to feel like the holidays are a time to put off fitness goals because “I’ll start in January.” But by then, you’re often recovering from holiday indulgence and starting from scratch. Setting goals now—even small ones like a couple of weekly workouts—gives you a head start and helps keep you from getting too far off track. Come January, you’ll be in a much better spot!

Pro Tip: Try setting mini-goals for the holiday season. For example, “I’ll get in three short workouts a week,” or “I’ll choose healthier options at three out of five holiday events.” The idea is to stay active and balanced so January feels less like a restart and more like a continuation.

Get Ahead of the New Year’s Gym Rush

Ah, January—the month when gyms overflow with people trying to stick to resolutions. It’s great that everyone’s motivated, but it can also be tough to find an open machine! By starting your fitness journey now, you’ll build confidence and a solid routine before the crowds hit. Plus, you’ll feel like a pro navigating the gym while others are just figuring out the machines.

Pro Tip: If you’re new to the gym, now is the perfect time to get familiar with the equipment, try some new exercises, and work on your form. With a little early practice, you’ll be crushing it in January while others are still wondering where the dumbbells are.

Stay Ahead of the “Holiday Burnout”

Waiting until January to dive into fitness can feel like trying to dig yourself out of a deep post-holiday slump. If you start setting goals and being active now, you’ll keep your energy up, your stress down, and your post-holiday fitness journey will feel a whole lot easier.

Pro Tip: Fitness doesn’t have to mean hour-long workouts every day. Aim for 15-20 minutes of movement a few times a week—anything from stretching to a brisk walk counts! Little steps help keep burnout at bay.

New Year, New Habits…Already in Progress

Instead of making fitness your “resolution,” make it your new habit. When January 1st rolls around, you’ll be in the groove, and your goals won’t feel like a major life overhaul. Starting in December means you’ll have a month of small, sustainable habits under your belt, making it easier to stick to your goals and progress throughout the year.

Pro Tip: Start small and work up. If you’re not exercising regularly yet, add in one or two short workouts per week in December. Then, as January arrives, you can gradually increase your commitment without it feeling overwhelming.

Build Some Confidence Early On

One of the best things about starting before the new year is the boost in confidence you get by proving to yourself that you can do it! Hitting small goals before January helps you go into the new year with a sense of pride and accomplishment, which makes it way easier to tackle those bigger goals.

Pro Tip: Celebrate each small victory—whether it’s going to the gym three times in a week, cooking a healthy meal, or just getting through a workout when you didn’t feel like it. Every win counts!

Holiday “Treats” Don’t Have to Derail You

Starting now doesn’t mean giving up holiday treats! It’s all about balance. By working on your fitness and wellness goals a little each week, you can enjoy holiday favorites guilt-free and feel more balanced heading into the new year.

Pro Tip: Practice mindful indulgence. Savor your holiday treats, but try to keep portions reasonable, and enjoy without overindulging. That way, you’re celebrating the season and staying on track with your goals.

Make it Social!

Staying on track during the holidays is way more fun with friends or family. Encourage a workout buddy to join you, make your goal-setting into a group activity, or get creative with holiday-themed workouts! Starting together can be a great way to keep each other motivated.

Pro Tip: Try a “12 Days of Fitness” challenge with friends or family, or set up a friendly holiday step-count competition. Keeping it social adds accountability and fun to your goals.

Starting now isn’t about making this holiday season super strict or joyless—it’s about using this time to build confidence, enjoy balance, and start your new year with a little momentum already on your side. So don’t wait for January to roll around. Set some small goals, keep it balanced, and let yourself enjoy every step of the journey.

And if you need some guidance, come see me at my Las Vegas training studio! We’ll make your holiday fitness journey something you’ll look forward to—even if there’s a pumpkin pie waiting at home. Shoot me a message for your free consultation to see if I’m the right trainer for you. 

Enjoy the season and start now, because your goals don’t have to wait for a new calendar.