The Reason for the Season

And how this mentality relates to our health.

December is here and another year has passed. Most of us in the US are celebrating Christmas or something similar. This brings out the decorations, the party, the special seasonal drinks and all the indulgent behavior for shopping. Hello BLACK FRIDAY.

The holiday season as gotten away from its original meaning. Whether it is the birth of Jesus Christ, the rededication of the Second Temple, or the closing of the harvest season. Much of the celebrations are no longer centered around anything spiritual or restful. But a go, go, go season filled with artificial holiday cheer.

The reason for bringing this up isn’t to remind us all to slow down and be grateful Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus in December so we can have Santa bring us all the goodies…. But to relate this to health and fitness.

We have gotten so far away from the reasons to be healthy. We used to want to be healthy so we can continue to live vibrantly, engage with our families and work our land. NOW the reason for fitness is to be in a size 6 dress at the holidays, a summer six pack and to manufacture our youth any way we can. We have gotten away from the “reason for the season” (reason to be healthy).

In a world marketed to be young, beautiful and successful how can we bring the reasons to be healthy back to the forefront of our daily living and goal sheet? Quite honestly, it’s not easy. Everywhere we look we are bombarded with images of movie stars and their latest secret to a youthful appearance; I’m not sure we know what aging HEALTHFULLY looks like.

TRUTH: Aging doesn’t have to look like wrinkles, rolls and thin hair.

When we have good muscle tone, are hydrated, filled with fiber and all the nutrients needed from REAL food… guess what? We look younger! We look healthy. We ARE healthy. Our body needs to be fed real healthy foods (not diet foods) to have what it needs to hold on to the collagen for our skin, to make the proteins for our muscles. Aging doesn’t have to mean you’re weak. More muscles = more strength = more freedom to live and thrive.

So, to combat the ploys to be younger, start with a list of WHY you want to be healthy. What are your physical goals you want to achieve? Leave off the size 6 and let’s list the dream and daily achievements we want.

1. Hiking in the National Parks
2. Play with grandkids
3. Weekly pickleball
4. Daily walk with neighbors/friends
5. European River Cruise
6. Snorkeling in Belize
7. Growing your own garden
8. Living on our own at 80+

Will a six pack make or break these goals? Well, maybe the snorkeling if it scares away the sharks. But no. It won’t. Will proper muscle strength, clean eating to help loose body fat, full hydration to support cellular function help? YES, absolutely!

To go chasing after the superficial standards for youth will not make you healthy. Actually, you’ll most likely burn out before you reach your goal, reverting to old bad habits. Modern, quick fixes for health are not sustainable. How long can we really live off hot sauce and honey? They are quick to come and quick to go; not producing the long term results you hoped for.

The successful way to be healthy is to remember the “reason for the season” and get back to believing the WHY behind your health. Nothing is as motivating as a true wholesome goal that leads directly to a life where you thrive.

Make your “Christmas List” and have a happy holiday season.

December 2025 ©BeSTRONGERFitness