Dec
As the Christmas period rolls in, life tends to slow down just enough for us to pause, breathe, and reflect. The year’s hustle starts to ease, diaries loosen up, and amid the festive food and family gatherings, many of us finally get the mental space we’ve been craving. And that makes this season the perfect time to set fresh training goals for the new year.
Here’s how to use the holidays to reset your mindset, refocus your priorities, and ignite motivation for your best training year yet.
🎄 1. Reflect on Your Year—Honesty First
Before jumping into resolutions or ambitious new targets, take stock of the year you’ve had. Ask yourself:
-
What training wins am I most proud of?
-
Where did I struggle or lose consistency?
-
What surprised me—good or bad—about my fitness journey?
-
How did my training support my wellbeing, not just my performance?
Reflection creates clarity. And clarity creates goals that stick.
🎯 2. Set Goals You Can Measure (and Actually Enjoy)
New Year’s resolutions often fail because they’re vague or lack personal meaning. Instead, aim for goals that are:
-
Specific: “Run a half marathon in May” beats “run more.”
-
Measurable: Include metrics—time, distance, frequency, weight, reps, or habits.
-
Enjoyable: If you hate training for it, you’ll abandon it by February.
-
Aligned with your life: Training should support your lifestyle, not fight it.
Tip: Choose one “big” goal and two or three smaller supporting goals. That keeps you focused without feeling overwhelmed.
🔄 3. Plan for Real Life—Not the Perfect Scenario
During the Christmas downtime, it’s tempting to imagine a flawless training routine for January: early mornings, perfect discipline, zero hiccups. But real life doesn’t work like that—and your plan shouldn’t either.
Build flexibility into your structure:
-
Have “minimum viable workouts” for busy days
-
Create backup indoor sessions for bad weather
-
Mix long sessions with quick micro-workouts
-
Leave space for rest weeks and recovery
Success doesn’t come from perfection—it comes from consistency.
🎅 4. Use Holiday Time to Experiment
With fewer work commitments and more relaxed schedules, December is an ideal test phase:
-
Try new types of training
-
Experiment with strength programs
-
Test out equipment or new routines
-
Assess morning vs. evening training
-
Try mobility, stretching, or recovery protocols
This experimentation helps you start January with a routine you already know works for you.
✨ 5. Make Your Plan Feel Exciting
Motivation isn’t just discipline—it’s emotional energy. And December is full of it.
Try:
-
Buying or organizing your training gear
-
Creating a new playlist
-
Refreshing your workout space
-
Signing up for an event or race
-
Setting rewards for milestones
-
Vision-boarding your fitness year
When your goals feel exciting, sticking to them becomes second nature.
🧘 6. Prioritise Recovery and Mental Reset
Christmas is often associated with overconsumption—but it can be one of the most restorative weeks of the year if you let it.
Use the downtime to sleep more, ease stress, stretch gently, walk, hydrate, and let your body recover from months of training. A fresh, recovered body is the best foundation for strong progress in the new year.
🎆 Final Thoughts: December Is Your Launchpad
The Christmas period isn’t just about slowing down—it’s about resetting. By the time January arrives, you won’t need to force motivation. You’ll already have clarity, intention, and momentum.
Whether your goal is to build strength, improve your endurance, lose weight, gain muscle, compete in an event, or simply feel healthier and happier, this is your moment to set the stage.
Your Information will never be shared with any third party.