What prompts individuals to consistently postpone their fitness goals until January?

The beginning of January is commonly associated with making lifestyle changes and setting new year's resolutions. Many people believe that starting fresh at the beginning of the year will motivate them to achieve their goals, especially when it comes to fitness. However, research suggests that this approach doesn't always work, particularly for fitness-related resolutions. Here are a few reasons why people should consider starting their fitness resolutions a few weeks earlier in 2024. The first month of the year is seen as a time of transition and new beginnings. Psychology professor Dr. John Norcross has conducted extensive research on new year's resolutions for over 40 years. His findings indicate that the most popular resolution is to improve physical health, with over a third of the thousands of participants surveyed stating this as their main goal. The second most common resolution is weight loss, followed by changing eating habits. However, Dr. Norcross discovered that after a month, one-third of those who made these resolutions had already given up, and the majority had given up after six months. Health and diet expert Dr. Duane Mellor explains that winter can make it harder to start exercising, and setting resolutions at the start of the year may not align with our natural tendencies during this time. After indulging in excess food and alcohol over the Christmas period and experiencing less movement due to colder weather, some people may feel sluggish and in need of a change. Dr. Mellor suggests that it would be more sensible to start exercising earlier in winter or later in autumn since our environment and way of living tend to slow down during this period. He advises finding a routine that works during late autumn and early winter while also maintaining a healthy eating habit. This way, healthier habits will already be established by the time the new year arrives. Many people choose running, going to the gym, or participating in group exercise classes to kickstart their health journey. According to Sport England, 12.5 million people engaged in these activities last year. However, gyms are typically much busier in January compared to December due to new year's resolutions. Pure Gym, a popular fitness chain in the UK, reported that January is their busiest month, while November and December are the quietest. Parkrun, which organizes free outdoor running events, also experiences a surge in participation in January. Personal trainer Morgan Brazier warns that setting fitness goals in January can put excessive pressure on individuals. If they fail to achieve their goals for any reason, they may feel guilty and consider the year off to a bad start. Brazier suggests that new starters may prefer to exercise during the quieter Christmas period to feel more comfortable and have the time and space to build their confidence and develop their exercise techniques. In conclusion, while the start of January is often associated with making lifestyle changes, research indicates that starting fitness resolutions earlier in the year or during the late autumn/early winter period may be more effective. People should focus on establishing healthy habits and finding a routine that works for them before the new year begins. This approach may reduce the pressure to achieve goals immediately and provide a better chance of long-term success in maintaining an active lifestyle.