
โThe holidays are always a busy time, and itโs easy to fall out of your fitness routine or say, โIโll wait until Januaryโ,โ fitness instructor Ally Love tells ESSENCE. Well, January is here, as is the most in demand New Yearโs resolution: working out.
Research says, 79% of people say their resolutions concern health, however as many as 80% of people fail to keep their resolutions by February. While a workout routine may seem difficultโfrom early mornings to cardio, weight lifting, and membership feesโโcontrary to popular belief, you donโt need to leave your house to create an effective fitness routine,โ Love says.
In 2025, โno pain, no gainโ workouts are not the only mode of wellness. Although celebrity-approved reformer Pilatesโa controlled-movement workout known for body sculptingโis on the rise, โa workout doesnโt have to be crazy long or super intense,โ she says. โMany workouts can be done right at home and donโt require any equipment.โ
Just like โ80s aerobic workout videos or using your steps as a stairmaster, โall you need is some open space where you can perform some simple but effective bodyweight moves, like push-ups, crunches, and squats.โ Skipping the gym for a walk around the neighborhood (preferably after a meal) or stretching before bed are small, effective habits to add to your winter wellness routine.
At the peak of depression and anxiety season, on top of inclement weather, staying at home is easily preferred. However, โmovement is one of the easiest ways to boost your mood,โ she says, avoiding doom scrolling and bed rot which can further decline your mental health. โWhen you incorporate movement into your routine, youโre able to release some of those emotions and get clarity, mentally, spiritually, and physically.โ
From pilates classes to tuning into your heart beat, using movement as your medicine has a number of psychological benefits, including finding joy in your body, community, and New Yearโs resolution. As a partner of the Ulta Beauty Joy Council, Ally Loveโs accessible tips can guide you through your winter wellness. โItโs important to make time for wellness and self-care every dayโyou canโt pour from an empty cup.โ