Life Doesn't Start on January 1

Last Monday a friend and I took time out of our holiday schedules to have lunch at our favorite Italian restaurant. We both ended up passing on the pasta and ordering a big salad (topped with salmon for me.) The meal was not about the food, it was a chance to catch up and enjoy the time we spent together. It was refreshing to have a meal with someone who has the same philosophy about diet and fitness during the holiday season. None of this, "I'll start January 1st" business for us. Taking a holiday from healthy habits makes no sense to me.

Every time I hear someone say that they're going to "be good" starting on New Year's day I feel compelled to add another reason to my list of why there is no good excuse, not even the holidays, to give up a healthy lifestyle for 4-6 weeks.


Here are a few of my personal reasons for continuing my every day routine:


I don't want to have to buy a new pair of jeans for the wrong reasons.

Adding several pounds and/or decreasing my level of fitness means more work after the "break."

I want to be a good role model to my children

I'm a mediocre cook; it takes no skill to make a salad to bring to a holiday party.

I get out of baking a half dozen varieties of cookies.

Because restaurants, even fast food restaurants, serve salads and chicken breast during the month of December.

It's possible to wake up a little earlier than usual to workout before your day begins

Because there is no law that says you have to accept every holiday invitation you receive.


Skipping a single workout or not accepting an occasional Christmas cookie won't set you back. It is the attitude that the holidays are an excuse to basically neglect yourself that will cause you to have to walk uphill later. Choose what's worth it, forget the rest and you can start the New Year feeling good about your choices.

What motivates you to stay on track during the holidays?