Why Do We Wait Until January to Get Fit?
The start of January has become synonymous with lifestyle changes. It is widely associated with people making significant changes to their eating habits and routines, often as part of a New Year’s Resolution. Starting a new diet, exercising more, or adopting healthier lifestyle practices are just a few of the promises that we make to ourselves at the start of a new year. 
New Year’s resolutions are directly related to a psychological phenomenon called the “fresh start effect,” as the concept of a new year is often seen as a natural opportunity for a clean slate and a chance to make positive changes. This is often triggered by “temporal landmarks” which act as mental cues for a new chapter in life essentially making us feel like we have a clean slate to start fresh and achieve our aspirations. The effect can vary by the size of the fresh-start moment. For example, the New Year’s effect is much bigger and lasts longer than the Monday effect.
Here are a few key points about the fresh start effect:
Temporal Landmarks
These are significant points in time like birthdays, holidays, or the start of a new season that signal a fresh start and motivate people to set new goals.
Psychological Disassociation
The fresh start effect allows people to mentally distance themselves from past failures, creating a sense of optimism and renewed self-efficacy to pursue new goals. 
Increased Motivation
When people feel like they have a new beginning, they are more likely to be motivated to pursue personal improvements and commit to positive changes.
Here’s the down side. The “fresh start effect” might not always work for fitness because it often relies on a burst of initial motivation that can quickly fade, leaving people without a sustainable plan to maintain their new habits. Furthermore, a lot of us have unrealistic expectations and so when we don’t see immediate results, we throw in the towel. Essentially, the “fresh start” feeling can be a temporary psychological boost that doesn’t address the long-term commitment needed for consistent exercise.
There are many reasons why you shouldn’t wait for a new year to start working on your fitness goals. Here are just a few.
Cold Weather Makes It Harder to Get Out and Exercise
The first month of a new year is seen as a transition point and has been adopted as a time that marks a new beginning. However, it’s more sensible to start your exercise regimen earlier in the year, as our natural habitats, our environment and our way of living, tends to slow down during the winter months.
People feel sluggish during the cold months of winter for a number of reasons. There’s less sunlight, some of us may suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), and we’re bombarded with our favorite seasonal comfort foods. To be honest, most of us are still trying to recover from the “excess food and alcohol” consumed over the holiday season.
Less Stress, More Success
Waiting until January adds pressure to succeed quickly. While these resolutions may seem achievable at the start of the year, they can quickly become a source of stress and anxiety. We often set unrealistic goals that are difficult to achieve, which can lead to feelings of failure and disappointment. When we have such high expectations for ourselves, the pressure to make changes can lead to anxiety or depression, especially for those who are already struggling with mental health issues.
Avoid the January Rush
Gyms are packed in January. By starting early, you can familiarize yourself with equipment, establish a routine, and develop proper training techniques. “Feeling more comfortable” is key to your success because it will help build confidence both inside and outside of the gym. If you do join in January, be sure to have a club representative show you around. Remember, they are there to help!
Get a Head Start
According to research, depression scores are significantly reduced after exercise. If you begin working out before the winter blues hit, you’re more likely to be encouraged by the feel-good chemicals released by exercise to continue your fitness regimen.
Don’t make it bigger or more dramatic than it has to be. Nothing magical happens when the calendar turns to January of a new year. Whether it’s a new season, mid-month, or even just a random day, you can gently ease your way into exercise and slowly increase the intensity and duration of your workouts over time.
Maintain Consistency
Success toward your goals is more about skills, abilities, and habits than motivation or discipline. The holidays are busy, so starting early helps build consistent habits. You’ll learn to fit fitness and healthy eating into your life – even during hectic times.
Think about it. If you wait until things calm down, what happens when life inevitably gets busy again? When you get a head start and stay consistent, you build the skills to maintain your healthy lifestyle, no matter how crazy life gets.
Small Wins Build Momentum
Achievements, no matter how small, generate positive energy. Seeing small improvements throughout the year builds confidence and motivates you to keep going into the new year. Non-scale victories like more energy, feeling stronger, better-fitting clothes, and improved sleep are all signs of progress.
Research shows that many people start strong with New Year’s resolutions, but a significant percentage quit early. Here are some key statistics:
- 80% Fail by February – Around 80% of New Year’s resolutions fail by the second week of February.
- 23% Quit in the First Few Weeks – Studies have shown that the second Friday in January (known as “Quitter’s Day”), is when people are most likely to throw in the towel on their resolutions.
- Less than 10% Succeed – Only about 9% of people who set resolutions feel successful by the end of the year.
In Conclusion:
You don’t need a new year for a fresh start! Any time of year is a good time to get into a regular exercise routine and make healthier food choices.
Think of health and fitness as a dial instead of an on/off switch. You can dial it up or down depending on what’s going on in your life. If you flip the fitness switch off whenever life gets busy, you’ll never make lasting progress. Good luck to you and Happy New Year!
Close-up Of A Person’s Hand Writing Workout Plan In Checkered Pattern Notebook
