November 30 – December 20, 2025
The holidays are coming, and with them come extra parties, late nights, comfort foods, drinks, and schedules that feel anything but normal. It’s fun, it’s festive, and we love it! But it’s also the easiest time of year to drift away from the healthy habits we’ve worked so hard to build all year long.
That’s exactly why we’re jumping into our Healthy Holiday Challenge. We’re not waiting until January. We’re not letting the holidays derail our progress. We’re going to stay intentional, stay consistent, and roll right into 2026 feeling proud, not frustrated.
And the best part is we’ll be doing it together.
How It Works
This is a 3-week challenge focused on 4 core habits that form the foundation of long-term health. These simple habits are the ones that pay off the most, and they’re the ones most people let slip during the busiest season of the year.
You’ll join a team of four, and every day you’ll track whether you hit each habit (plus you’ll have a bonus entry daily).
These habits will help you:
- Keep your energy high
- Maintain your normal routine
- Feel strong and confident
- Avoid the “holiday regret” cycle
- Start 2026 ahead instead of behind
Your 4 Daily Habits
1. Eat Enough Protein
Protein is essential for building and maintaining lean muscle mass, especially if you’re lifting weights or doing high-intensity workouts. It also helps keep hunger under control by stabilizing your blood sugar and keeping you fuller for longer, which means fewer cravings and less mindless snacking. On top of that, protein supports tissue repair and recovery after tough training sessions, so you feel stronger, less sore, and ready to perform again the next day. When you consistently hit your protein goals, you’ll notice increased strength, better body composition, and improved energy. All of these will help you stay on track through the holidays.
The goal: 3 servings of at least 30 grams each day
Top tips:
- Keep 2–3 ready-to-eat options stocked at home
- Pre-cook meat early in the week
- Easy protein ideas:
- Chicken breast or tenderloins
- Ground turkey or beef
- Eggs
- Tuna packets
- Cheese sticks
- Beef jerky
- Fairlife protein shakes
2. Drink Enough Water
Hydration is one of the simplest and most effective ways to improve your overall health, yet it’s often overlooked especially during busy seasons. When you’re well-hydrated, your body can regulate temperature, deliver nutrients to muscles, and flush out waste more efficiently, which means better performance and faster recovery after workouts. Proper hydration also supports healthy digestion, reduces headaches, and helps maintain stable energy levels throughout the day. Even mild dehydration can lead to fatigue, brain fog, and poor concentration. Drinking enough water can improve the quality of your sleep by supporting your body’s natural rhythms and reducing nighttime muscle cramps. Staying consistent with your water intake will help you feel more alert, recover more quickly, and stay energized through the holidays.
The Goal: Half Your Body Weight in Ounces Per Day
Top tips:
- Keep a water bottle with you throughout the day
- Aim to refill it a set number of times each day
- Add electrolytes if needed (we love LMNT for this!)
3. Prioritize Sleep
Good sleep keeps your hormones balanced, which is crucial for regulating appetite, stress, and metabolism. When you’re consistently rested, your body produces the right amount of hormones like leptin and ghrelin, the ones that control hunger and fullness, making it easier to maintain a healthy body weight and avoid cravings. Quality sleep also supports muscle recovery and growth, giving your body time to repair tissues and build strength from your training. On the flip side, lack of sleep spikes cortisol, increases stress, and can slow down fat loss. Beyond the physical benefits, adequate rest improves focus, mood, and mental clarity, making everything you do during the day feel easier. When you prioritize sleep, you’ll notice better workouts, more stable energy, and a more positive outlook even during the holiday hustle.
The Goal: 7-8 Hours of Sleep Per 24-Hours
Top tips:
- Start your bedtime routine at the same time every night
- Turn off screens (and notifications!) early
- Try magnesium lotion or powder to help relax
4. Daily Movement
Movement is the habit that truly affects everything: your energy, mood, metabolism, mobility, and even your confidence. When you move daily, you increase blood flow, strengthen your muscles and joints, and support a healthy cardiovascular system. Regular movement also boosts endorphins, helping reduce stress and improve your overall outlook. It doesn’t have to be complicated or long; even a short walk, stretching session, or quick workout can make a noticeable impact on how you feel.
Most importantly, movement doesn’t happen by accident. If you wait for “pockets of time,” they will get filled with something else. Instead, schedule your movement intentionally, just like you would an appointment or meeting. Choose your time at the beginning of the week or the night before, commit to it, and protect it. Consistent, planned movement builds discipline, keeps your health momentum strong, and reminds you that you are a priority even during the holiday rush.
The Goal: 1-Hour of Intentional Movement Each Day (Class, Travel Workout, Walking, Rowing, Running, Stretching, Etc)
Top tips:
- Schedule your movement like an appointment
- Decide when you’ll move the day before
- Set your week’s plan on Sunday so your schedule doesn’t take over
- Walk, stretch, take class, or train solo. Just move!
Daily Bonus: Practice Gratitude
Every day you’ll earn a bonus point by writing down three things you’re grateful for.
Why gratitude?
Because during the holiday rush, stress can creep in fast. Gratitude helps you:
✅ boost your mood
✅ reduce stress and overwhelm
✅ improve sleep quality
✅ build stronger relationships
✅ shift focus toward the positive
✅ become more resilient through challenges
Studies consistently show that gratitude literally rewires the brain toward happiness and contentment. It’s a small practice with a huge impact.
The Goal: Write Down 3 Gratitude Entries Per Day
How to Track Your Progress
Every participant will receive a printed copy of our tracking spreadsheet. Log your habits each day. It takes less than 2 minutes!
How to Win
To be eligible for a prize, each of your teammates will need to:
✅ Log daily wins!
✅ Total up final scores.
✅ Submit tracking sheet to Natalie or Lauren
We’ll celebrate the strongest teams and most consistent participants at the end with a prize!
Why These Habits?
Because these are the basics.
You don’t need complicated rules, crazy restrictions, or a massive time commitment. The people who stay healthy long-term don’t rely on motivation. They rely on habits.
If you can stay steady with these through December, imagine how amazing you will feel in January.
These are habits you can keep forever.
Support During the Challenge
You won’t be doing this alone. You’ll get:
- Daily tips inside our private Facebook group
- Accountability from your 4-person team
- Coaching support from Lauren and Natalie
- A community that actually wants to see you win
Questions during the challenge?
📲 Message us through the gym number
👥 Post inside the Facebook group
💬 Private questions can be sent directly to Lauren or Natalie
The When, Where, and How
Dates: Sunday, November 30 – Saturday, December 20
Teams: Groups of 4
Cost: $25 per person
Sign-Up: Healthy Holidays Challenge Registration Form
Results You Can Expect
- Better energy during the busiest month of the year
- Stronger connection to your teammates
- Confidence going into 2026
- A clearer understanding of what helps (and what hurts) your progress
- Zero guilt when the holidays wrap up
You’ll finish feeling proud and not like you’re starting from scratch.
Ready to Join?
Register today, then invite 3 friends to join your team, or we’ll help you find one!
Don’t wait until January to care about your health.
Don’t let December steal your momentum.
Stay steady. Stay strong. Stay healthy.
Let’s do this, Team.