Why Winter Doesn’t Have to Mean “Starting Over in January” - Countdown to Christmas instead!

As the clocks change and the nights draw in, it’s completely normal to feel your motivation start to dip. The early darkness, the cold mornings, the constant drizzle… suddenly the sofa and a blanket sound far more appealing than burpees in the living room.

Add in the chaos of Christmas planning, school events, and work deadlines, and it’s no wonder many of us quietly put fitness on pause “until the new year.”

But here’s the truth: You don’t need to do it all. You just need to do something.

Even small bursts of movement - a brisk walk before work, ten minutes of stretching, or a quick bodyweight workout at home - can do wonders for your mood, sleep, and energy levels during these darker months.

Why Exercise Feels Harder in Winter (And Why That’s Okay)

When daylight drops, our bodies naturally produce more melatonin (the sleep hormone) and less serotonin (the mood booster). That’s why it’s harder to get out of bed, harder to stay upbeat, and definitely harder to convince yourself to exercise. But that’s exactly why it matters more than ever.

Regular movement in winter helps:

✨ Boost your energy – Exercise increases oxygen flow, helping fight that sluggish, foggy feeling. 

✨ Regulate your mood – Physical activity releases endorphins, which counter winter blues. 

✨ Support your immune system – Staying active helps you stay well through cold and flu season. 

✨ Stabilise your hormones – Especially in perimenopause and menopause, movement helps balance stress and sleep hormones that go haywire this time of year.

And it doesn’t have to be complicated.

You don’t need a gym membership or fancy kit - just consistency, a little creativity, and maybe a nudge to get started.

Making Fitness Fit Around Real Life

This time of year, the biggest challenge isn’t discipline - it’s time. Between school concerts, shopping, and the million little things that fill November & December days, carving out 30 minutes can feel impossible.

That’s why short, flexible workouts can make such a difference. It’s not about perfection; it’s about momentum. At home, a few squats and lunges while the kettle boils count. A walk at lunchtime counts. A 20-minute strength session in your living room counts. Every little bit you do keeps your body ticking over and your mind balanced - so you don’t face January feeling like you’re starting from scratch again.

A Little Something to Help You Keep Going

If you’re someone who thrives with a bit of structure and support (and maybe some company), I’ve created something just for this time of year: The Countdown to Christmas Online Workout Plan.

It’s a simple, flexible six-week plan designed to help you keep moving - guilt-free - right up to Christmas.

Here’s what’s inside: 

✨ Three 20–30 minute workouts a week (at home or outside, no equipment needed). 

✨ Weekly check-ins and gentle accountability, with me

✨ Personalised nutrition guidance that’s realistic (and festive-friendly). 

✨ All levels welcome - perfect if you’ve lost your rhythm or want to stay on track before January.

It’s not a challenge or a detox. It’s simply a supportive space to remind yourself that you deserve to feel good, even in the busiest season of the year. And at £65 for 6 weeks, it’s less than that large glass of fizz on a Friday night 😉

So Here’s My Challenge to You

This year, don’t write off your fitness until January. Start small. Move when you can.Be kind to yourself when you can’t. And if you need a hand staying consistent, come join me - and a group of like-minded women - as we move, laugh, and lift our way through the season.

Because winter fitness isn’t about punishment or pressure. It’s about feeling good enough to enjoy the celebrations without guilt.

Here’s to strength, balance, and maybe (definitley 😉 ) a little fizz along the way.