Why Waiting for January Won’t Help Your Fitness Goals—Start These 3 Steps Today

It’s a week until Christmas, and another week until January. The year is rapidly winding down, and you’re buried under a mountain of commitments. The thoughts are probably swirling in your mind: "What’s a couple of weeks going to do for my fitness? I might as well start in January when I’m fresh, energized, and have more time."

But here's the thing: if that were true, why didn’t you do it last January? Why are you still frustrated with where your fitness is—or isn’t—right now? It’s the same cycle, year after year. Procrastination keeps creeping in, and it’s time to break the cycle once and for all.

Let’s face the truth: January won’t magically bring a "new you." You’ll still have the same responsibilities, the same distractions, and yes—likely the same excuses too.

So, what’s the solution? What can you do to make sure that this time, things will be different?

This post is all about getting into action today, right now, in these final weeks of the year. Let’s use this time to build some momentum. You don’t have to wait until the calendar flips over to start making progress. You can get a small, crucial win this holiday season—one that’ll help you hit the ground running come January. Let me show you how.

The mindset block

First things first, let’s talk about why you’re stuck in this cycle. It’s a mindset problem, rooted in how you see the new year. You think the new year brings with it “new energy,” “new opportunities,” or that it’s the perfect time to hit the reset button with a clean slate.

But here’s the harsh reality: The new year is just another rotation of the Earth around the sun. Nothing magically changes unless you make it change. Your fitness will only improve if you take action now, not wait for the clock to strike midnight on January 1st.

You may think that when January rolls around, you’ll be filled with motivation. But that’s often just false hope. That motivation tends to evaporate in a few weeks when life gets busy again. The responsibilities pile up. You fall back into the cycle of solving everyone else’s problems without ever prioritizing your own health and fitness.

This “all or nothing” mindset, or waiting for the “perfect time” to start, is doing more harm than good. The reality is, your health and fitness will only improve if you prioritize it and take consistent action—day in and day out. There’s no “starting from zero.” There’s no perfect endpoint. It’s an ongoing journey.

Let’s stop kidding ourselves. January 2025 won’t magically bring out your inner David Goggins. Life will always be messy, and things will never be perfectly aligned. The time to start is now—where you are, with what you have, and with whatever time you can carve out. Start right now.

By starting now, when motivation is low and commitments are high, you’re setting yourself up for success. You’re building momentum. And when the time comes—when you have more time, more motivation, or fewer problems—you’ll already have the consistency you need to succeed.

Taking the first step

The reason you haven’t achieved your fitness goals yet? You’ve made the barrier of entry too high. You think you need to train like the athletes you see on Instagram or TikTok. You think you need to be doing “two-a-day” sessions. You think you need a perfect, custom-tailored program to become the fittest version of yourself.

But here’s the truth: none of that is necessary.

What you need is the easiest first step possible. Something so simple that failure isn’t an option. Something so winnable that you can’t help but take action.

Instead of waiting for January, take that first step today. Maybe it’s 10 minutes of bodyweight exercises, a quick walk outside, or even just stretching and mobility. Choose the simplest thing you can do today. And schedule it at the same time each day. Make it part of your routine by stacking it with an existing habit—like brushing your teeth, taking your morning shower, or checking your emails. Don’t overcomplicate it. The goal is to just start.

Join a Fitness Community

Another easy way to create momentum right now? Join a group of people who are already doing it. This will remove the decision-making from the equation, and yes, it’s a bit of a bigger commitment than the first step, but it’s also your best shot at really sticking with it.

As the year comes to a close, many gyms host their end-of-year events—things like "bring a friend" classes or community gatherings. Take advantage of these! By joining a group, you’re setting yourself up for accountability that’s simply impossible when you’re trying to go it alone.

Yes, it’s uncomfortable at first. Yes, meeting new people can be scary. But think about it—you’ve faced new situations before, right? Your first day of school, your first job, your first date… you’ve made it through all of those. If you haven’t pushed yourself in this way yet, that makes it even more important for you to step outside your comfort zone and join a fitness community.

These are the people who have committed to having health and fitness as part of their lifestyle. They’ll inspire you, push you, and hold you to a higher standard. You might even make lifelong friends. This could be the safe haven you’ve been searching for—the place where you can grow and develop outside of work. And it’s all for you.

Get your family & friends in on it too!

The holiday period is a time for catching up and celebrating with family and friends. Instead of the usual overconsumption that leaves you feeling worse about yourself and perpetuating the cycle with each gathering, use this as an opportunity to get your loved ones to join you in taking action to improve their health and fitness. You’ll be killing two birds with one stone—spending quality time with your family while also building the momentum needed to establish healthy habits.

You can make it fun by turning it into a game for the whole family. One game that can give you a variety of movements and is inclusive for everyone is Fitness Bingo. Create bingo cards with simple exercises (e.g., 10 jumping jacks, 20 squats, a 1-minute plank) and draw cards for the group to complete. The first person to get five in a row wins! This is a great way to keep everyone engaged, moving, and having fun together.

Another great way to make fitness a family affair is by gifting your loved ones a fitness membership, whether it's to a local gym or a fitness community. This gift isn’t just about a membership—it's about giving them the opportunity to join you in taking the first steps toward better health. By working out together, you’ll not only hold each other accountable but also foster a sense of camaraderie and support as you all work toward building healthy habits.

Getting the conversation started with your friends and family this holiday season about their health and fitness can be just the trigger they need to develop lasting habits. When you gift them the chance to be part of a fitness community, you’re creating an opportunity to bond, stay motivated, and make fitness a shared journey for everyone.

What are you waiting for?

As we close out the year, it’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking that the "perfect time" to start your fitness journey will come when the new year begins. But let’s be honest—waiting for that moment only prolongs the cycle of frustration and procrastination. The key to success is taking action now, even in these final weeks of the year. Every small step you take today builds momentum, setting you up for lasting success.

By prioritizing your health now, joining a supportive fitness community, and bringing your friends and family into the mix, you’re not just setting yourself up for a fresh start in January—you’re setting the stage for a healthier, more fulfilling life that continues beyond the new year.

So, don’t wait for the perfect moment to arrive. Make today the day you start your journey, and let the holiday season be the catalyst for meaningful change in your life and the lives of those around you. It’s time to take action—together.

Come run with us!

For those in f Melbourne, Habitat Mind Body will be having our final Run Club session on Sunday 29th of December at 9am. Come join our free easy run to shake off that hangover, create momentum for the new year, and bring your family and friends with you. Click here to RSPV.

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