Should You Start Your New Year’s Resolution in December Instead of January?

Every December, people start talking about their New Year’s resolutions—new routines, new fitness goals, healthier habits, fresh motivation. I am a personal trainer. One of my favorite questions to answer is:
“Should I just wait until January to start?”

My response is always, you can start now. December is honestly often the better month to start a new routine. While January gets all the hype, it also comes with chaos. Gyms are packed. Work picks back up after the holidays, and school schedules become hectic again. When everything around you feel intense, sticking to new habits becomes harder, not easier.

December, on the other hand, has a different energy. For many people, work naturally slows down a bit, making it less mentally exhausting to take on something new. Kids’ sports and activities often wind down too. I completely get that teachers have some of the wildest spirit weeks ever. They have enough homemade desserts to fill an entire table. Yes, the holidays can feel busy, but in a lot of ways, December offers breathing room that January simply doesn’t.

And that brings me to one of the most important parts of goal-setting: You don’t need a massive lifestyle overhaul. You just need to get started. When people launch into their resolutions in January, they often try to change everything at once. They focus on exercise, nutrition, hydration, sleep, and stress management. That all-or-nothing list looks great on paper, but in real life it becomes overwhelming quickly. Instead, starting now in December allows you to choose just one thing to focus on. And honestly? Adding 20–30 minutes of movement into your routine can be one of the easiest wins. You don’t need to spend two hours in the gym. You don’t need every habit perfectly in place. You just need a simple starting point.

Plus, gyms in December are calmer and far less intimidating. You’re not waiting in line for equipment. You aren’t fighting for a treadmill. You are not trying to learn the ropes while surrounded by crowds. Trainer schedules are lighter too. This means you can ask more questions and get more hands-on support. You can ease into your routine without feeling rushed or overwhelmed.

Starting in December also gives you a head start on building consistency before January hits. You won’t need to jump into a brand-new routine on January 1st. Work becomes hectic again at that time. The gym is overflowing then as well. You’ll already have momentum. You’ll feel more confident, more prepared, and less stressed.

And if you do want to expand your goals in January, great. You’ll already have a solid foundation, which makes everything else easier to layer on.

The truth is, there’s nothing magical about January. Motivation doesn’t suddenly appear. Life doesn’t suddenly calm down. Routines don’t suddenly become easier. The best time to start is simply when you’re ready—and for many people, that time is right now.