Habits Don’t Take Holidays Off (But Apparently We Think They Do)

Everyone suddenly becomes a philosopher around the holidays.

"I’ll get back on track in January." "It’s just a busy season." "My body just… responds differently to winter."

Right. And Santa does his own macros.

Look — November hits and half of us turn into bargain-bin negotiators with our own goals. Like we’re selling used furniture on Facebook Marketplace:

“Okay but what if I only work out on the days I feel like it and also eat cookies for breakfast?”

Bold strategy. Let’s see how that pans out.

Here’s the thing: December doesn’t destroy habits — it exposes them.

If your routine crumbles every time there’s a cookie tray within six feet of your face, the holiday isn’t the problem. The habit muscle is just… fragile. Like “one unexpected email and I’m horizontal” fragile.

We don’t judge.We identify.And then we fix it.

This Isn’t About Perfection (Nobody Wants Your Sad Salad at Christmas)

Let’s be clear: No one here is asking you to bring protein powder in a cute holiday mason jar to Grandma’s dinner.

This isn’t about punishment or sad-girl dieting vibes.

It’s about not spending January googling:

“How long does it take to reverse one month of chaos?”

If you already know the answer from experience, that’s between you and your past-self who thought “future me can handle it.”

We are not doing that again.

Micro-Rules for Not Becoming a Holiday Marshmallow

Because habits win — even the trash ones.

Never miss twiceOne workout? Life happens.Two? That’s a pattern.Three? That’s a personality trait.

Micro-moves > dramatic regretWalk. Lift something. Touch a dumbbell.Pretend to stretch if you must. It counts.

Protein like you mean itNot “chicken breast at a party” unhinged — just… not six holiday cocktails and vibes.

Schedule your workouts like meetingsIf someone tries to book over it, tell them you have a critical appointment with your longevity and mental health.If they judge you, remove them from your life. (Kidding. Maybe.)

Quit ghosting yourselfConsistent people aren’t special — they just don’t disappear on themselves when life gets loud. Holiday loudness included.

You Don’t Need Motivation — You Need Memory

Every year someone says: “I always fall off around the holidays.”

Then keeps doing the same routine like a character who refuses to grow in a Netflix drama.

We don’t do filler seasons here.

Remember how annoying it is to “start over”?Yeah. Use that.

January shouldn’t be rehab. It should be a handoff — like “wow look at me, entering the year already moving.”

Imagine walking into the gym in January not apologizing for your life choices. Iconic.

Future You Has Notes

Future You does not want:

• To dig out of a festive food coma

• To re-learn how to squat without knees sounding like bubble wrap

• To pretend cardio isn’t personal

Future You wants peace. And quads. And to not feel like the holiday goblins rolled her down a hill.

So do now what Future You would Venmo you for later.

She’s watching like: “Hey girl, maybe don’t hand me six weeks of damage and a peppermint mocha debt to work off.”

Ready for the Real Secret?

The holidays don’t test your willpower.They test your identity.

You can still:

• Enjoy the season

• Eat the cookie

• Hit your workouts

• Not turn into the “I’ll fix my life in January” character

Habits don’t take holidays off.

And neither do we — at least not the parts that matter.

Show up messy. Show up imperfect. Show up fueled by caffeine and stubbornness if needed.

Just show up.

Because starting over in January is cute until you realize you didn’t have to.