The Holiday Effect: Why We Stop And Why We Shouldn’t

Every year, I notice the same pattern appear. I call it The Holiday Effect.

It arrives in early November, that moment when people feel the year is basically over, routines begin to fade, and goals get pushed to January.

Suddenly everything feels negotiable. Movement, nutrition, consistency, discipline.

And I have never agreed with this.

Motivation Fades. Discipline Stays.

Setting goals with timeframes can help because they add excitement and direction. But motivation is not a long term strategy. It disappears the moment life gets messy or something unexpected happens.

And it always does.

What actually stays is discipline. Discipline is not something you are born with. You build it.Once you build it, it becomes part of who you are.

That is why the idea of pausing your health when November hits makes absolutely no sense to me. Taking care of your body is not a commitment for only ten months of the year. It is a forever commitment.

Not All Goals Should Have Deadlines

Most people set goals like this: Buy a car this year. Perfect. You save, you buy it, it is done.

But then there is the classic one: Become fit this year. And this does not work the same way.

Because being fit is not a finish line.It is not something you check off and walk away from.

What does fit even mean?

A six pack, Strong legs, Endurance , Energy

Even if you do get the six pack, you must keep working for it. Maintaining it is harder than achieving it.

Goals related to health are not short term achievements. They are lifestyle changes that take layers, steps and identity work, not calendar deadlines.

Instead of saying: I want abs by June ... Say:I want long lasting habits that I keep for life

Because when the holidays arrive and you stop your habits, you lose them. This is a fact.

And this is why January feels so heavy for so many people. Recovering habits is always harder than building them.

Choose Goals That Actually Give Something Back

Let’s be honest. A six pack looks nice but it does not change your life or your health trajectory in a deep way.

What does change your life are goals like:

• I want to reach 40, 50, 60 in my prime health

• I want to move pain free

• I want to be strong enough to enjoy my life fully

  
  

Those goals never make you think: It is December, so I will stop now.

Because your body does not get that break. Your future self does not get that break. Your health does not pause just because the calendar hits holiday season.

Enjoy the Holidays But Do Not Abandon Yourself

And I am not saying you should skip the celebrations.Enjoy the dinners, the desserts, the drinks, the family time. The holidays last about a week or two.

What I am saying is this:

• Do not let one week turn into eight weeks.

• Do not let the mentality of “fuck it, it is Christmas” take over your month.

• Do not stop moving your body.

Even thirty minutes makes a difference. Your body feels when you stop. Your mind feels it too.

If you know that during that week you will relax, that is perfectly okay. Just prepare for it. Give yourself extra consistency before and after.

Protect the discipline you worked so hard to build all year.

Your Health Is Not Seasonal

Movement is not something you do only when it is convenient.

It is something you do because future you deserves it.Because your body carries you through every version of your life, holidays included.

This season, do not wait for January.

Do not pause your habits.

Do not start over. Keep going. Even softly. Even slowly. Even imperfectly.

That is how discipline grows.That is how health is protected.That is how long term change happens.

And that is the real antidote to the Holiday Effect.