Give Yourself Grace Over the Holidays
Why Rest, Joy, and Cookies Belong in Your Fitness Journey this Season
Dear Reader,
I hope you had a great weekend, and thanks for being here. To support this newsletter and future topic development, please consider subscribing if you haven’t already.
Introduction
Last week, I shared a simple, yet effective, weight training routine that you can start without any equipment at all—you just need your body. This is a fantastic workout for all you holiday travelers, particularly if you want to get in a quick pump before the eggnog and Christmas cookies.
Yes, the holidays are here, and with them come tables full of treats, glasses full of cheer, and maybe a little less time for workouts. But if you find yourself staring down a cookie platter or skipping the gym for a holiday movie marathon, you might start feeling that familiar pang of guilt. Shouldn’t I be more disciplined? Will this set me back?
Pause. Breathe. Let’s reframe.
Fitness isn’t just about today—it’s about the long game
One workout missed or an extra slice of pie isn’t going to undo all your hard work. Fitness and health are about consistency over years, not perfection over days. Think of your progress like a mosaic—each piece matters, but one missing tile won’t ruin the whole design.
When you treat fitness like a long-term relationship, you realize it has room for life’s celebrations. A holiday dinner doesn’t mean you’re “off track”—it means you’re fully present in a special moment. That’s what it’s all about.
Why self-compassion matters more than willpower
Let’s talk about guilt for a second. Many of us think guilt is what keeps us in line: I need to feel bad about this now so I can do better later. But research says otherwise.
Guilt and shame can actually lower your motivation. When you beat yourself up for skipping a workout or indulging in something sweet, you trigger a stress response. Stress leads to more emotional decisions, not better ones. It can turn a small stumble into an all-out spiral.
Self-compassion, on the other hand, helps you pause, reset, and move forward without judgment. It’s like looking at yourself the way you would a friend: Hey, it’s okay. You’re doing your best, and tomorrow is a new day.
Studies show people who practice self-compassion are more likely to stick with healthy habits over time because they feel encouraged—not defeated.
Permission to Enjoy
If you’re used to strict routines or pushing yourself hard in fitness, giving yourself permission to enjoy the holidays can feel uncomfortable. But think about it this way:
Fitness is a tool that helps you live a fuller, richer life. It makes you stronger, healthier, and more present. If that same tool starts making you dread family meals or feel unworthy after a day of rest, it’s time to step back.
Food is connection. Rest is recovery. Laughter is therapy.
These things are just as important for your well-being as a perfect workout schedule.
A gentle plan (if you want it)
If movement makes you feel good during the holidays, lean into it. But let it be gentle and flexible. Take a family walk. Do 10 minutes of stretching between gatherings. Dance around the kitchen while the cookies bake. Movement doesn’t have to be punishment for eating—it can be celebration.
But if you want to hit pause completely? That’s okay, too. Your strength, your stamina, and your goals will still be there when you’re ready.
Give yourself grace
You are not defined by what you eat or how you train during a few weeks in December. What matters most is the love you share, the memories you make, and the kindness you give—including to yourself.
So here’s your permission slip:
Enjoy the cookies
Laugh with your family
Rest when you need it
Let go of the guilt
You’re doing great. And when you come back to your routine—whenever that is—you’ll be rested, happy, and ready to keep going.
Fitness isn’t about perfection. It’s about balance, joy, and showing up for yourself in ways that matter. Sometimes that looks like a 5AM workout, and sometimes it looks like eating peppermint bark in pajamas.
Both are good. Both are you.
You’ve got this.