Here’s a little sanity, strength, and self-compassion to get you through the season.

Ever been biking up a steep hill, felt your legs start to give out, and thought,
“I’ll just rest for a second…”? We’ve all done it. And what happens next?

The bike stops. You lose momentum. And suddenly you’re walking it up the hill, f-bombing yourself, wondering why you ever started biking in the first place.

That’s exactly what happens with workouts. Skip one day, then another, and suddenly your routine feels like pedaling through peanut butter. (And if you’re one of those rare fitness unicorns who never lose motivation — congrats. You can skip this part. The rest of us are just trying to keep our bikes upright.)

Now I’m talking to you — yes, you — the one wondering:

• Why am I not motivated?
• Why am I exhausted?
• Why can’t I overcook the turkey, dodge an obnoxious relative, find a Black Friday deal before it sells out, and still look like one of those “happy, fit influencers”?

Spoiler alert:
Even they ask themselves those same questions.

Especially this time of year. And if you’re a woman navigating midlife — changing energy, shifting hormones, real responsibilities, and very real fatigue — this season can hit even harder.

Since moving back to Ohio from California four years ago, I’ve learned something important: When the sun goes into hiding here in Northeast Ohio, so does our motivation.

The days get shorter. Moods dip. And holiday stress doesn’t exactly scream LEG DAY! And trust me — this isn’t just an Ohio thing. From East Coast to West Coast, we all feel it. So let’s toss guilt out the window, shall we? Guilt is joy’s evil twin — and frankly, we don’t have time for it right now.

Consider this your official fitness pardon. You are absolved. I’m not going to tell you to “push through” or chase impossible goals this season. That’s nonsense. You’re human — not a robot. Life is meant to be lived. A lifetime of fitness (and peace of mind) requires flexibility, consistency…and sometimes, even a nap.

Yes, strength training boosts mood, metabolism, and muscle — especially during perimenopause and menopause. But for this season, let’s focus on a different kind of strength training: The mental and emotional kind. Because if we’re being honest, the holidays test our mental strength far more than any dumbbell ever could.

So here it is — my unofficial holiday survival guide to getting through the season with your sanity (and sense of humor) intact.

The Holiday Survival Guide (Guilt Not Included)

When you feel guilty for skipping a workout — STOP.

When you feel guilty for eating pie instead of protein — STOP.

When someone asks, “Aren’t you going to the gym today?” — Tell them to stop.

Then do the following “workout”:

• Sing your favorite song for at least 5–10 minutes
  • Bonus points if done while walking up a hill.

• Repeat this mantra for 10 reps while squatting up and down from the dinner table:
  • “Guilt, pack your bags — your holiday stay has been canceled.”

• Flex your biceps while holding your holiday beverage of choice and recite the mantra again.
  • Yes, curling whatever’s in your cup counts.
  • This isn’t the Olympics.

And remember: You’re doing great. Keep your head up, your heart open, and your dumbbells nearby. This season, give yourself permission to ease up without giving up.

Move when it feels good. Rest when it’s needed. And remember — one skipped workout doesn’t erase your strength. You’ve got this. And I’ve got you🙂

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This post was originally written as a seasonal note for my clients. I keep it here because the message matters every year.

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P.S. A quick note on winter mood support

Winter can sneak up on your mood just like those leftover holiday cookies.

SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) thrives on low sunlight — especially here in the Northeast — so it’s smart to be proactive. I’m trying out the Verilux Happy Light this season — anything to help keep the winter blues at bay.

If you’ve been feeling a little off lately, you’re not imagining it.
Here’s the science behind it:

• Light Therapy & Exercise for SAD
  
• A helpful conversation on light and circadian rhythms with Dr. Andrew Huberman

Sometimes supporting your strength starts with supporting your light.