Are you new to exercise? Don’t exercise but are considering it? Not really considering it seriously, but know you should make a change? Some people (not you, of course) might think that December is the worst month for starting a get-fit regimen. But those people are wrongity-wrong. It’s quite possibly the best month, for these reasons:
1. No-one else is at the gym. People are all out shopping and eating on the run, which means you can run on the treadmills and ellipticals without having to wait. And the gym trainers will be more available to help you figure out how those totally confusing computer programs work on the machines. Yeah, I’ve been teaching for over 25 years, but still do not know how to program the cursed treadmills. Damn things buck me off every time – video to prove it! * * (Stay posted for that video in a future post)
Eenie Meenie Miney Mo - December is the Way to Go
2. It’s cold in December. Exercise makes you warm. Just ask our friend Scott over at Your Inner Skinny. He lives in the part of Canada that no-one goes to on purpose, and it’s currently -42C, which is something like -3,956 in Fahrenheit. So get moving, you’ll warm up. Hug sweaty Canadians! Then steal their down parkas.
It's Hug a Canadian Day at the North Pole
3. It’s the gifting season, and what better gift is there than making yourself healthier, which means you’ll probably live longer, and your kids will have you around for a long time, and you’ll be able to do stuff with them without getting exhausted, and your insurance will cost less, and you’ll feel and look better and you’ll get so strong and energetic that you’ll have the strength to read this very long, “make your high school English teacher crazy” run-on sentence.
4. Your stress levels will go down. Yup, exercise reduces stress. Even if you’re “downright out of shape,” as this Mayo Clinic article states. Holiday Season = Stress Hits the Up Elevator. Exercise = Stress Hits the Down Elevator. So basically, if you are a fan of higher math like I am, that means December will be just as relaxing as the beach in July once you start exercising.
Climbing That Tree Counts as Exercise
5. You can get a good spot in the group exercise classes before the New Year’s crowd gets in the room. And everyone is in a festive mood, so they’ll be even more welcoming than usual. Instructor ad right here – professional group fitness instructors are always welcoming, and they set a good example for “their” students, so in truth you’ll be welcomed year-round. But they’ll share their eggnog and smile when they ask your name in December.
6. You will avoid the somewhat unrealistic (cough, cough) expectation that you can get fit on the morning of December 31st in time for the evening’s party. Much more realistic (as in “not really”) is to start a wee bit sooner. Since you can safely sustain a weight loss of 1 ½ to 2 pounds per week, if you start today you will be about 6 or 7 pounds lighter by New Year’s. If you’re thinking, “Hey, my goal is 35 pounds. What good is 6 or 7,” my answer is this – you’ll be 1/6th (oh, crap, math again. Yes, I estimated) of the way there. But, your outlook and how you feel will be 75% of the way there, because research (our BFF) says that you will start to view yourself as an exerciser, which means your habits will change to meet that self-image. In straight-talk, that means you’ll feel like a total hottie at the party. That is way cool!
Just Lift the Word "After" Over Your Head 10 Times A Day to Look Like This
7. You will save money. You will have more energy. You will look better. You will feel better. You will meet a lot of cool people. Your math skills will improve. You’ll get an end of year tax deduction…One of these may be false. Hint: Exercise makes you smarter, so it’s actually quite possible your math skills will improve. For example, I was going to write 10 Reasons, but got bogged down when I carried the 1, multiplied the 0, subtracted the junk food, added the Lycra and Voila!!!, ended up with 7 Reasons!
Remember December as the month you did the Zoom Zoom for your Boom Boom! If you come to Santa Barbara, we’ll even let you into our classes for free!
Dear Reader: What reason to start exercising now would you add to this list?
Photo credits:Creative Commons: IRRI Images, 1987porsche944, Ben McLeod
Wow, an empty gym! That looks perfect for sure (note that I hate smelling the sweaty/smelly guys around me when I fight for some air during my exercises)! Sorry, but I have no more reasons I can add here, you were making the list quite complete
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Oh, Emilia, we so agree with you about the smell. I like the smell of “my” man, but that’s about it. I don’t want to smell myself! I’m sometimes tempted to bring along a spritzer, but am afraid they’d notice me pointing it right at them!
AlexandraFunFit recently posted..Fit to Be Holiday Gifts
Another reason for starting now is that you’ll beat all the New Year’s resolutioners that pack the gyms at the beginning of the year. You can get a head start and get familiar with your gym so that you won’t feel so overwhelmed come January 1st.
Coach Calorie recently posted..Six Pack Abs – How To Get Them
I really like the view of the beach its nice and looks very clean..I think a lot of people will like to go in this resort its very relaxing..Thanks you for sharing the photo..
Love the humor in this – but #1 is so true! The gym is DEAD!!
Emily faliLV recently posted..Toddler Talk Thursdays {We Are Taking A Holiday Break…}
What? You found humor? Did it come with some delicious ice cream? As an instructor, I dislike the quietness in December, but as an exerciser, I love having easy access to the machines and equipment.
AlexandraFunFit recently posted..3 Things That Do NOT Help You To Get Flat Abs
Thanks for this, I definitely need to start getting fit! I like that the gym is empty!
Melissa recently posted..Review & Giveaway: My Baby Clothes!
I have a feeling gyms like that quiet month too. If the members are all paid up, it means money is still coming in, yet the cleaning crew gets a chance to really spritz things up.
AlexandraFunFit recently posted..Holiday Food: Mind Over Platter
….I need to get my butt back to the gym….especially now that Thanksgiving is gone and Christmas is on its way!!
Cori’s Big Mouth recently posted..*Giveaway*
hahah Cori. I just want my butt back; I don’t care where or when!
AlexandraFunFit recently posted..4 More Useless Exercises
I want to come to your classes in Santa Barbara! I don’t even care if it’s free. Alas, it is awfully far away from the beautiful (tho cool & damp) Pacific Northwest.
Amy recently posted..Time to Get Walking!
Oh, Amy, we would never charge you to come to our classes. But you’re right – it is a bit of a drive from our lovely northern neighboring states.
AlexandraFunFit recently posted..Posture Assessment from the Side
Well done!
I’m a group fitness instructor and can vouch for the smaller class sizes right now! I’m always happy to welcome new peeps, but have even more time to get them feeling comfortable this time of the year!
Thanks, Tamara. Today I had a new person in my fairly crowded older adult class. I actually didn’t see her, as she was hiding in the back, but when I asked if anyone new was there (expecting a NO), a few students pointed to her. I think the size will decrease by next week.
AlexandraFunFit recently posted..7 Reasons to Start Getting Fit Now
I have wanted to work-out in the gym but the membership fees are getting my way. Working out at home seems suitable for me. That’s why I am planning to buy a stationary bicycle in the near future. For the meantime, I like playing sports in WII games to keep me active most of the time. Thanks for giving reasons to start getting fit on December.
Hey Stephan, my kids have the Wii games and they actually move around when playing them. But I think they still prefer to go outside. And gym fees can be tough, depending on the club. Most clubs offer discounts in December because they know it’s a slow time. So check around and see.
AlexandraFunFit recently posted..Fit to Be Holiday Gifts
Hmmmm for me I’d say that I would need to get a head start ahead of the mammoth holiday feast my mother prepares each year. I swear that one meal alone can knock a girl out for days, weeks — so that’s my reason for starting my exercise plan now.
Mena recently posted..Fitbit Review
Ah Mena, you are making me want to come to your mom’s for the holiday meal. But you’re right – those meals can do you in. Depending on the time of day and how much sun is left, you might just have to drag your mom on a walk with you either before or after you eat! Good luck!
AlexandraFunFit recently posted..Holiday Food: Mind Over Platter
I love being at the gym this time of year! No one is there!
P.S. Love your writing style!
Well, come to our gym, because WE are there and would love to have you in class. And thank you for the nice compliment! Our mom forced us to start using a dictionary when we were three. True story.
AlexandraFunFit recently posted..4 More Useless Exercises
These are all great reason to get fit now but I already had my reasons to get fit. My reason was I like being in good shape and do everything to keep my body fit and I love to exercise. Thanks for sharing!
En dank u well, Demi. We appreciate the comment. And it’s so true – once you start exercising, your body adapts to it and does “love” it.
AlexandraFunFit recently posted..Are Skechers Sketchy, Steppy, or Peppy?