How to Start Getting Fit in December (Instead of Waiting for January)

Why easing in now sets you up for real success in the new year.

Every year, the same cycle repeats. December rolls around, we feel tired, stretched, full of festive plans, and we tell ourselves, “I’ll start in January.” January becomes this magical doorway where everything will somehow be easier, more organised, more disciplined… and we’ll finally become the person who sticks to our fitness goals.

But here’s the truth: waiting for January often makes it harder, not easier. Starting small in December—right now, today—can be one of the most powerful things you do for your long-term health and fitness. You don’t need a full plan, a gym membership, or loads of motivation. You just need gentle consistency and a willingness to begin before everything feels “perfect”.

If you'd like a bit of inspiration as you start, you might find my 15 Fitness Quotes to Get You Off the Couch and Into Action a lovely place to browse when you need a lift.

Let’s break down why starting in December gives you a genuine head start.

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Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional. The information provided on www.JoLinsdell.com does not, and is not intended to, constitute medical advice; instead, all information, content, and materials available on this site are for general informational purposes only.

1. Small Steps Now Build Momentum for January

Most people try to overhaul their entire life on 1st January. New diet, new routine, new goals… and it’s overwhelming. That’s why so many New Year’s resolutions fade by February.

By the time January arrives, you’re not starting—you’re continuing. And that feels completely different.

2. December Is the Perfect Time to Practise Consistency

The festive season is busy, emotional, and often chaotic—which makes it a brilliant testing ground for building small, realistic habits.

If you can fit in a little movement during December, with all the extra demands on your time, you’ll find it so much easier to stay consistent once life settles back into its normal rhythm in January.

For gentle ideas, have a look at How to Get More Daily Movement Without “Working Out” or Easy Walking Workouts: A Simple and Effective Way to Stay Fit.

3. You Don’t Need Big Changes—Just Gentle Routine

There’s no need for dramatic goals. In fact, the gentler the start, the more likely you are to stick with it.

Try:

• 10–15 minutes of walking

• Light stretching before bed

• A short body-weight routine

• A few movement breaks during the day

• Choosing stairs over lifts

• A quick yoga video

Or, if you want a softer, well-being-focused start, have a read of Self-Care Tips for Beginners on a Health Journey.

These tiny actions reduce the mental barrier to working out. And once the habit is there, you can build on it slowly and sustainably.

4. It Stops the “All-or-Nothing” Trap

Waiting for January gives the illusion that you’ll magically wake up more disciplined, more motivated, and more ready. But motivation doesn’t appear out of nowhere—it grows from action.

Starting in December shifts your mindset from:

• “I’ll be perfect in January”
  to

• “I’m already doing this; January is just the next step.”

It removes the pressure and replaces it with steady confidence.

5. You’ll Feel Better Now, Not Later

Movement doesn’t take months to make a difference—it often takes days.

Starting now means you’ll enjoy:

• More energy during busy holiday days

• Better sleep

• Lower stress

• Improved mood

• Less tightness and tension from festive busyness

If you want a gentle mental well-being boost at the same time, have a look at Mindfulness and Meditation: How to Incorporate It into Your Busy Life or Coping with Anxiety in Today’s World.

Why postpone feeling better when a bit of movement today can already help?

6. You’re More Likely to Keep Your New Year’s Resolutions

This is the big one. Most resolutions fail because people try to jump into full routines overnight. 

As so many experts explain, most resolutions fail simply because they’re too big and too vague—Harvard Health notes that drastic January overhauls often collapse within weeks because they’re not grounded in small, sustainable habits.

But when you begin in December:

• You already have a foundation

• You already feel more capable

• You know what works for you (and what doesn’t)

• You trust yourself more

• The habit already exists

If planning ahead motivates you, you might enjoy Monthly Goal Ideas for Better Health or Setting Realistic Health Goals for Beginners, which offers a friendly and practical guide to choosing goals you’ll actually stick with.

Your New Year’s resolutions actually stand a chance of surviving into spring—and beyond.

7. Starting Now Doesn’t Have to Be Complicated

This isn’t about perfection; it’s about building a gentle rhythm.

Try this simple December starter plan:

That’s it. Small, achievable, and not overwhelming.

Final Thoughts: Your Future Self Will Thank You

It’s so easy to keep putting things off, especially during such a busy month. But easing into movement now—no pressure, no harsh expectations—makes it so much easier to stick to the routine in the new year. You might even find yourself keeping those New Year’s resolutions for once.

And December is the perfect time to take that first step.

And if you enjoy tracking your progress, a simple fitness journal or habit tracker can be a lovely, encouraging way to celebrate the small wins throughout December.

I’d love to hear how you’re getting on—pop a comment below and share the small steps you’re starting with this December.