Staying Consistent: 5 Tips For Balancing Faith And Training Through The Holidays

The holiday season is a time of celebration, connection, and reflection—but it can also be a time of disruption when it comes to your routine. For endurance athletes, schedules fill up with family gatherings, work events, and travel, while tempting treats and late nights challenge routines. For believers, it’s equally easy to let spiritual practices take a back seat to the busyness of the season.

Staying consistent with both your training and your faith might feel challenging during the holidays, but with the right mindset and strategies, it’s entirely possible.

Here’s how you can grow your faith, keep your training on track, and make the most of this season.

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1. Shift Your Mindset: Consistency Over Perfection
The first step to staying consistent is to let go of perfection. You might not hit every training session or find time for extended quiet moments with God— and that’s okay. Focus on consistency, not perfection.

Instead of stressing about what you can’t do, focus on what you can do. For training, this might mean shorter, high-intensity sessions when time is tight. For your faith, it might mean praying during a morning run, listening to a sermon while driving, or reading Scripture for a few minutes before bed.

It’s not about doing everything perfectly but about staying connected to your goals and your faith.

2. Plan Around Your Commitments
Holiday commitments can feel overwhelming as you juggle all of your normal responsibilities with the expectations of family and friends, but with intentional planning, you can make room for what matters most. Look at your schedule and identify when you’ll train.

Here are some practical tips:

Morning Workouts and Devotions: Start your day early with a workout and a few minutes of prayer or Bible reading before the busyness begins.

Short and Focused Sessions: Opt for high-impact training like intervals or tempo rides when time is limited. Consider a challenge like the AIM proverbs and pushups challenge- 1 proverb and 100 pushups a day for each day in December.

Combine Family and Fitness/Faith: Turn family gatherings into opportunities for activity, like a turkey trot or a post-meal walk. Maybe take time to share gratitude and reflect on what God has done in your lives this year with your loved ones.

3. Stay Flexible and Prioritize Key Goals
During the holidays, flexibility is crucial. If life gets hectic, focus on prioritizing key workouts and spiritual practices. For example, if you’re in marathon prep, aim to complete your tempo and/or long runs. Missing a low-priority session isn’t the end of the world if you’re staying consistent with the big ones. One missed workout won’t derail your progress, just as completing one won’t make you a champion. Similarly, prioritize moments of prayer, gratitude, and worship, even if they’re brief.

 4. Create Accountability 
Accountability can help you stay consistent in both your fitness and spiritual journey. Here’s how to stay on track:

Communicate Your Goals: Share your training goals with your spouse, friends, or family. When they know what you’re working toward, they’re more likely to support your efforts even if it cuts into family time.

Partner Up: Train with a friend or join a training community like Kingdom Endurance where you will be held accountable in your training and faith.

5. Give Yourself Grace
Lastly, extend grace to yourself. The holidays are a special time, and it’s okay if your routine isn’t perfect. What matters most is staying connected to your mission—both as an endurance athlete and as a follower of Christ.

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The holiday season doesn’t have to derail your training or your faith. By staying flexible, planning ahead, and keeping your priorities clear, you can stay consistent in both areas.

This holiday season, let your commitment to your goals and faith inspire those around you. Keep moving forward—one mile, one prayer, and one day at a time.

PS - Here is a link to the "AIM Mens Proverbs and Pushups Challenge" if anyone wants to join!  AIM Missions is a non profit that seeks to Activate leaders to know Jesus intimately and make Him known accurately.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfn4ziUaGiWzGaxhnVLLtVoSSHAwcvk05aPDw6kmXGLEg-kAQ/viewform