It’s one of the most common promises people make to themselves this time of year.

“I’ll enjoy Christmas, then get on track in January.”

It feels smart. Strategic, even. You tell yourself you’re being realistic. After all, the holidays are busy, indulgent, and full of disruption, so why fight it?

But there’s a hidden cost to that decision.

Because by the time January actually arrives, you’re not just starting fresh, you’re digging yourself out of a deeper hole:

• You've likely gained 5–10lbs

• You feel sluggish, tired, and demotivated

• Your sleep’s off, your mood’s down, and your routine is wrecked

• And mentally, you’re right back at square one, or worse

So instead of hitting the ground running in January, you're crawling to the starting line.

And it’s not just physical.

January is already one of the hardest times of the year to build new habits. The weather is cold, the days are short, money is tight, and motivation at the start is low. Your environment isn’t supporting change, it’s making it harder.

The Case for Starting in November

Now, consider an alternative.

What if you used November and December to build momentum - not lose it?

Even modest progress now can completely shift how you feel going into the new year. It’s not about being perfect. It’s about being consistent.

• You don’t need to overhaul your life, just stay in motion

• You can enjoy Christmas and feel good about yourself

• You’ll avoid the mental crash that comes with starting from scratch

Most importantly, you give yourself the gift of confidence. That sense of, “I’m already doing it.”

And that’s powerful.

Real Change Doesn’t Start with a Date

We like the idea of “starting fresh” on January 1st because it gives us a clean slate. But real change doesn’t wait for a date. It begins when you decide you’re no longer willing to keep repeating the same cycle.

You’ve seen it before:

• November turns into a write-off

• December is full of excess and excuses

• January becomes a mountain you dread climbing

And by February, motivation drops off and you feel like you’ve failed.....again!

This Year, Try a Different Approach

You don’t need to go all-in. You just need to avoid going all out.

Maybe that means walking more, training twice a week, eating mindfully 80% of the time, or simply not giving up entirely.

Because when January hits, you won’t be trying to start a routine, you’ll already have one.

That changes everything.

So if you’ve been thinking, “I’ll start in January” ask yourself honestly:

How well has that worked in the past?

This year, break the pattern.

Start now.