something funny happened.
Last week I walked into one of the gyms and it was busier than January.
Middle of November.
Rain bouncing off the windows.
Normally this is when people start vanishing like socks in the washing.
But this year… different story.
We’ve just kicked off our 40 Days & 40 Nights programme.
6 weeks to keep members accountable up to the new year.
342 of our members on it.
That number still makes me laugh.
That’s hundreds of people all deciding, at the same time, “You know what? I’m not binning off the next six weeks.”
And the best part?
I’ve seen this before.
Last year the 40/40 lot were losing seven or eight pounds in December while still eating junk and drinking when they fancied it.
They didn’t become saints.
They just stopped throwing whole weeks away.
That’s the real trick.
Not perfection.
Not clean eating.
Not locking yourself in the house with a detox herbal tea.
Just not giving up when it’s cold and dark.
The November 6-Week Meltdown group are already flying.
Clothes loosening.
Steps up.
Energy up.
They’ll stroll into Christmas feeling good instead of Googling “how to undo six weeks of damage” like everyone else.
We’ve got December Meltdown intake starting soon too.
That one goes straight through Christmas and still gets results.
Every year they lose weight and still get Christmas week off.
I don’t know why people act shocked by that.
If you do the basics consistently, the mince pies aren’t your downfall.
It’s the all inclusive attitude that kills you.
Then there’s the 12 week shoot crew.
They finish right before Christmas and honestly look unrecognisable.
Lean.
Sharp.
Confident.
They’re the ones who get the classic family line:
“Are you eating enough?”
Yes, Sheila.
They’re eating fine.
They’ve just stopped snacking like toddlers.
The big thing these groups all have in common is accountability.
This time of year tests everyone.
Dark nights.
Parties.
Comfort food.
Stress.
That little voice saying, “Look, mate… just start fresh in January.”
But here’s the bit you actually need to hear.
You’re maybe not on any of our programmes this time round, but you can still avoid the usual Christmas blowout by sticking to the basics.
You just need to stop pretending December doesn’t count.
Because it does.
It counts a lot.
It’s the month where most people gain the weight they spend the next four months trying to lose.
Our members aren’t doing anything fancy.
No secret plans.
No hidden tricks.
Just the basics.
Hammered daily.
The stuff you can start today.
Drink water. Half the time you’re “hungry” you’re actually parched.
Walk every day. Ten to twenty minutes a couple of times a day.
Three workouts a week. Doesn’t matter if they’re perfect.
Eat single ingredient foods most of the time.
Sleep like an adult, not a student doing an all-nighter.
That’s what works.
Every time.
The only hard part is sticking to it when you cannot be bothered.
And if you’ve already fallen off?
Relax.
You’re normal.
Half of the UK goes missing every November.
I could put money on it.
What’s also predictable is how fast people turn things around when they stop going into “sod it” mode.
People think they need motivation.
They don’t.
They need a routine and a couple of small wins.
Drink a bit more water today.
Walking for 10 – 20 minutes after meals is a great time.
Eat at least 2 decent, high-protein meals.
Book your next training session.
That’s how you get back on track.
Not by declaring “war on carbs” on a Monday morning.
Intensity is overrated.
Consistency is the actual cheat code.
Every group we’ve got running now, the 40/40, November Meltdown, December Meltdown, the Shoot … they’re all proving the same thing.
You don’t need to overhaul your life.
You don’t need to live like a monk.
You just need to not disappear.
Do the basics.
Do them when it’s dull.
Do them when it’s cold.
Do them when it’s easier not to.
That’s how you walk into Christmas feeling in control instead of defeated.
That’s the whole point of this message.
To give you the reminder that matters most right now.
You’re not stuck.
You’re not behind.
You’re not too late.
You just need to get back to the small stuff that works every single time.
-Ryan
P.S
If you do want a bit more structure, December Meltdown is nearly full.
A lot of the people joining stay on into January, so once those spaces are taken, we don’t have many left for new starters next year.
If you want to actually lose weight over Christmas instead of after it, grab one of the spots before they go.