Why Quitting the Gym During The Holidays Is The Worst Time
Your Gym Membership Is Essential To Your Holiday Health
By
December 4, 2024
After 15 years of owning and operating 4 different gyms, I’ve seen firsthand the seasonality of gym memberships. Often busier times of year for people lead to more membership holds and cancellations. No small business owner wants to lose a client, me included, but this post is about why you should keep some semblance of a routine through the Holidays so you come out stronger on the other side.
The holiday season brings joy, but it also comes with its fair share of challenges: indulgent foods, increased stress, and a calendar full of commitments. It's tempting to hit pause on your fitness routine, but skipping the gym now might be the worst decision you can make for your health. Here's why you should keep your gym membership active, even if you can’t make it as often as you’d like.
Between family dinners, work parties, and endless holiday treats, we all tend to eat a little more during the holidays. Unfortunately, this often leads to consuming more calories than we burn, and the pounds can quickly add up. While it's okay to enjoy these indulgences, it's essential to balance them with exercise to maintain your health.
When you reduce your exercise during this time, you stop burning those extra calories, and over time, it adds up. Regular workouts help counterbalance the overeating and maintain a healthy weight. Sticking with your gym routine, even at a reduced level, ensures you’re staying active enough to offset the additional calories, leaving you feeling good both inside and out.
The holidays are notoriously stressful. Between shopping, hosting family events, and managing work deadlines, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. This added stress can also disrupt your sleep, leaving you feeling fatigued and less energized. Exercise, however, is one of the best ways to manage stress, as it releases endorphins that help improve your mood and energy levels.
Skipping the gym during these times can worsen this cycle. Lack of physical activity means fewer endorphins, and more stress can lead to worse sleep patterns, creating a negative feedback loop. Keeping up with a regular exercise routine helps combat stress and improve your sleep, so you can show up at work, with family, and for yourself, feeling your best.
When you cut back on exercise, your metabolism naturally slows down. This means your body starts burning fewer calories throughout the day, which can make it harder to maintain your weight, especially when you’re consuming more food. Regular exercise is key to keeping your metabolism running efficiently, even when life gets busy.
When you reduce your activity, your basal metabolic rate (BMR)—the number of calories your body burns at rest—can decrease. A consistent exercise routine helps maintain or even increase your BMR, ensuring that you burn calories more effectively. Even if you can’t make it to the gym as frequently during the holidays, maintaining some level of exercise will help keep your metabolism in check.
The holidays often bring a sense of chaos, with so many moving parts to juggle. A regular gym routine offers structure and a sense of control amidst the holiday rush. It’s easy to feel like you're losing track of your goals when everything else feels out of order. But continuing to show up for your workouts—even if it's just a couple times a week—gives you a sense of accomplishment and control over your well-being.
Quitting the gym or stopping exercise altogether during this busy time can leave you feeling unproductive and off-track. On the flip side, keeping up with your fitness routine, even if you can’t make it as much as you'd like, helps maintain a sense of normalcy. It reminds you that, despite everything else happening around you, your health is still a priority. This feeling of accomplishment will boost your confidence, helping you face the challenges of the season with a positive attitude.
The holidays are a time for celebration, but they don’t have to be a reason to give up on your fitness. By sticking with your routine—even at a reduced pace—you can maintain your health, manage stress, and keep building healthy habits. This season, don’t quit. Keep showing up for yourself and your goals, and you’ll be that much stronger when the new year arrives.
If you’re looking for a community of people who help hold each other accountable on a daily basis and will support you through this Holiday season, 908 Athletics with locations in Berkeley Heights and Westfield, has got you covered. Reach out to Tim@908Athletics.com to get started today!
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