How do I keep working out during a busy holiday season?

On Ep. 216, Nikkiey explains that before she even hit record, she opened her calendar. She looked at the next two to three weeks and wrote in the exact days and times she would train. Over Christmas she scheduled the 23rd, 26th, 27th and 28th, and took the 24th and 25th off. If she doesn't feel like training on the 26th, she shifts everything back a day. With four workouts and seven days, it doesn't matter which days you use, as long as all four get done. On Ep. 320 she uses the same approach and plans around New Year's Day, when she expects the gym to be chaos.

Shorter is fine. On Ep. 320 Nikkiey says that if you're short on time, cut the sets and reps and challenge yourself with slightly heavier weight. Twenty minutes, or three days instead of four, still counts. If you know you'll have a window in the morning or right before dinner, lock it in like an appointment. On Ep. 317 she frames it as time management. Block at least an hour, up to two, in the morning to get your steps and workout in and put your meals together for the day.

Be honest about your number. On Ep. 317 Nikkiey says that if you normally do five workouts but you're only getting three, you'll feel like you're failing. Look at your actual weeks and pull back to what you're consistently doing, so you follow through. On Ep. 263, about busy summers, she suggests three or four days. On the other days, a 30-minute strength session, a long walk, a hike or a quick hotel room circuit still keeps you consistent.

The point she keeps coming back to: you don't need a perfect routine, and you don't need to start over in January. You need consistency and intention. If the old plan doesn't fit your December, the plan is the problem, not you.