December is a month of gatherings and celebrations. At the same time, it’s also a transition from the end of one year to the beginning of the next — and that can feel . . . chaotic. The combined result is often a break from the routines that help us thrive and feel our best.

One area where we might feel this profoundly is in our fitness. It’s common for exercise habits to fall by the wayside during this busy season, relegated to the back burner until January, when we hope to jump-start all our best intentions.

But there is nothing particularly extraordinary about the first day of the year, just as there is no need to hit pause on movement in December. When it comes to moving your body (as well as to supporting your mind and spirit), something is always better than nothing.

With this in mind, the team at Experience Life presents this monthlong, fitness-focused countdown to 2024 — an effort inspired by the Advent calendar, which counts down the days to Christmas.

In the Advent tradition, the days leading up to Christmas were recognized by chalk marks on a wall or by lit candles. But as time went on, they were celebrated with printed Advent calendars that contained hidden delights: Open a window each day to reveal a Bible verse or a piece of chocolate. More recently, items like jams, candles, dog treats, and even Pokémon figurines have found their way into the space behind those small, numbered flaps.

Unlike Advent calendars, however, our countdown runs a full 31 days, from the first day of December to the start of the new year. And, rather than candies, beauty products, or hot sauces, the daily delights here are workouts.

Don’t worry, the suggested strength, cardio, mobility, and rest routines are short, sweet, and specifically selected to support your fitness through the transition from 2023 to 2024.

The backbone of the calendar is “Easy Dumbbell Strength,” a five-move strength workout that takes about 20 minutes and can be repeated three to five days a week. The remaining days include the following:

• One day each week of high-intensity moves that take five to 20 minutes.
• Two days each week of restorative, mobility-focused exercises that take 20 minutes or less.
• One day each week of intentional rest, with a suggested meditation and reading on the topics of slowing down, reframing your fitness mindset, and goal-setting.

The most exciting aspect of this calendar is that the only day you need to think about is the one right in front of you. Yes, there is a cumulative benefit to completing each and every workout. But there is no requirement to finish one day’s workout before moving to the next.

Each day is an invitation to move — it’s up to you to accept or decline. If you miss a day (or three, or 20), simply come back when you can and click open the next window on the calendar. There is no falling behind or catching up — the beauty of this calendar is that you show up as you are.

Ready to meet the new year feeling fit and grounded? Let the countdown begin.