Tired of the January Reset? Read This

The holidays are upon us! It’s a season we look forward to all year. The traditions, the parties, the holiday drinks, and of course…the food.

But then comes January 1st.

If you're like most people, part of your holiday tradition is starting the New Year full of regrets. 

Between the treats, the booze, and the scale rudely punching you in the face, you're ready for a full detox. It feels like months of hard work have been undone overnight.

It doesn’t have to be this way.

Imagine instead stepping into January feeling proud, not frustrated. For once, not feeling the need to start over with another crash diet, detox, or dry January. Like January 1st is just another day.

The great news: this is totally doable and does not require avoiding the foods you love. 

It's simply about knowing small shifts that balance celebration and consistency.

Start With a Mindset Shift: Intention over Perfection.

Most people fall into one of two camps this time of year:

• “I’ll just enjoy the holidays and start fresh in January.”

  
  

• Or “I need to be ultra-strict until January.”

  
  

In general, neither works.

Here’s a better approach:

• Instead of all-or-nothing thinking, adopt an “always something” mindset. Even if you can’t eat perfectly, you can always do something that supports your progress — whether that’s adding protein to a meal, drinking water between cocktails, or stopping at one dessert plate instead of three.

  
  

• Decide ahead of time what matters most. If Grandma’s pie is non-negotiable, enjoy it without guilt — but maybe you skip the store-bought cookies you don’t care much about.

  
  

• Shift from rules to choices. You’re not failing if you have holiday treats. You’re choosing when and how they fit, and that’s a huge difference.

Remember: Every choice counts, but no single choice defines you.

When you shift your mindset away from perfection and towards intention, you’ll find it’s much easier to maintain your progress while enjoying the holidays.

4 Strategies to Avoid the January Reset (without missing out)

The goal isn’t to “survive” the holidays — it’s to enjoy them without undoing your hard work. 

Here’s how:

1️⃣ Plan Your Worth-It Moments

Not every holiday event can be a food free-for-all. Decide ahead of time where indulgence is worth it — Grandma’s pie at Thanksgiving? Absolutely. Random candy or store-bought cookies at the office? Probably not.

2️⃣ Balance the Week, Not the Day

One indulgent dinner doesn’t derail progress — several days of overeating in a row does. Instead of punishing yourself after a holiday meal, focus on making your next few meals balanced and nutrient-dense to reset naturally.

3️⃣ Don’t “Save” Calories for Big Meals

Skipping breakfast or lunch before a party usually backfires — you arrive starving and end up overeating. Instead, spend the day making smart protein and fiber-rich choices to stabilize blood sugar and reduce cravings later. If you know the food at an event isn’t going to be worth it, you can even eat beforehand to reduce temptation.

4️⃣ Keep Moving — but Skip the “Earn and Burn” Mentality

Don’t fall into the trap of overexercising to “compensate” for calories. Instead, aim for consistency: brisk walks, quick workouts, or staying active between events. This will help regulate mood, energy levels, and food choices without adding stress.

5️⃣ Don’t be an asshole to yourself.

A couple of planned treats, especially when eaten out of true enjoyment will not derail your progress. But beating yourself up over being “bad”  and then going into “f-it mode” will. Instead of being a flaming asshole to yourself when you make a mistake or eat off-plan, calmly ask “what’s my next best decision here?” (for more, check out my article on how to stop the "I blew it" spiral).

Holidays Should be Enjoyed, Not Feared.

With the right mindset and a few intentional actions, you can skip the January reset this year and start the New Year off ahead of the game.

Want Your Own Personalized Holiday Plan?

👉 Schedule your complimentary consultation to discuss how I can help you create that intentionality and balance this holiday season (with a little accountability of course 😉).