I know a lot of people write this part of the year off, give up, go into hibernation, and say to themselves next year will be their year.

-Arnold Schwartzenegger – The Pump Club Newsletter

There is nothing magical about January 1st.

-Arnold Schwartzenegger – The Pump Club Newsletter

I was reading the Pump Club newsletter from Arnold Schwartzenegger and came across the title “Why are you Hibernating”. It inspired me to say something here. I have written about New Year’s resolutions a few times: My thoughts on New Years resolutions… and Happy New Year! Why regular gym-goers despise New Year’s resolution folks at the gym.

The title of this post hopefully caught you off guard. Let me explain first by telling you a story. I was married previously before I met Tony. My ex talked incessantly about becoming an anesthesiologist. Every new person, same story. This wouldn’t be bad if he was working towards that goal. In this case, he wasn’t. Never looked into it. I finally had enough one evening so when we got to the car I said to put up or shut up. Why am I telling you this? Because this time of year a lot of people are all talk no do. 2025 will be the year. No, it won’t. Neither will 2026 or the year after that.

You may be thinking that I am being pretty negative. What if 2025 is the year? Maybe, but it is most likely not. It’s an excuse to put off what you could be doing today.

Consider this your kick in the pants.

Back to the article, one of the things they mention is to stop waiting until January 1st to make a change. Start now. Do something. Imagine the progress you make in the last few weeks of December. By January 1st, you are well on your way. I did not start working on my goals in January. I start them when I am ready. I am currently working on my body composition, but I started that in August, not January.

My challenge to you is to stop making excuses about starting in January and start now. As I said to my ex – put up or shut up. Be happy as you are or start making a change. Talk is cheap. Action is worth its weight in gold. Make today the day. Don’t be the fool that talks about 2025 being the year. You are better than that.