Don't wait until January- feel energised now!

Instead of diving headfirst into the holiday chaos and then bracing for that awful January reset – Veganuary, dry January, Slimming World – uh, no thanks……how about doing things a little differently? Focusing on small, consistent wins right now can make a big difference. Oh, and focus on how you want to feel in January—energized and healthier, not overwhelmed and disheartened.

Here’s a simple, sustainable game plan to keep things rolling through the what’s left of November and into December:

1. Reframe the Holidays

The mindset shift: Treat the season not as an all-or-nothing feast but as an opportunity to practice balance. If you’re all about the holiday treats, add in a protein packed breakfast or a quick 15min post-meal walk around the block and you’ve just made a small but significant shift.

2. Stay true to a few daily non-negotiables

Practice some tiny habits that stay constant, no matter how wild December gets. Ideas:
Drink a glass of water first thing in the morning.
Put your phone away 1 hour before bed
Write down one "win" from your day (yes, finishing the Celebrations tin could count but adding an extra portion of veg to your dinner plate would be better!)

3. Pre-empt the December Dip

Remember that good old Army phrase – ‘Prior Preparation and Planning Prevents P*** Poor Performance’

Start practicing "pre-holiday" decisions now:

🥑 Plan a few meals ahead and stock up that freezer
🥑 Stock pile healthier snacks like fruit, nuts, cheese, crackers or yoghurt to mix in with the Christmas choccies

Pick one or two holiday events where you fully indulge and a few others where you keep things on a more even keel.

4. Movement Matters

Focus on movement, not exercise. Every little helps (thanks to Tesco)
Blast out those tunes, bust out some moves and most important of all, embarrass the teenagers.
Take the stairs, walk the escalator or wrap up warm, grab a family member and appreciate the seasons.
Download a free exercise app and find a 10min yoga, pilates or stretching session. Plan one session into your weekly diary and stick to it. You never know, you might learn to love it.

5. It isn’t about all or nothing

Keep reminding yourself – if you fall off the wagon, it’s not the end of the world. One indulgent meal, skipped workout or night on the tiles won’t ruin progress. What matters is that you can get back on that wagon and pick up where you left off. It’s the sum of the little things you do that adds up to greater things.

By keeping things small and manageable now, January will arrive and it won’t seem quite so daunting. It’s not about perfection—it’s about showing up for yourself in ways that future-you will appreciate.

What’s one “little thing” you’d like to start focusing on today?