The February Burnout Is Coming — Here's How To Avoid It This Year

You've made it through an entire month of early morning gym sessions. Congrats—you're part of the small percentage who didn't abandon their New Year's resolutions by mid-January. 

But…

Keeping that momentum going through the remaining eleven months is a completely different game.

Forget everything you think you know about New Year fitness resets. "A realistic reset is not about changing everything at once," Austin explains. "It is about choosing habits that fit into your real life."

January often becomes a pressure cooker of perfection—daily workouts, strict food rules, zero flexibility. Sure, it works for a few weeks, but it's not how most of us live when work gets busy, and life refuses to cooperate with perfectly planned gym schedules.

Austin’s approach centers on what she calls "messy consistency," probably the exact opposite of what you're seeing on Instagram right now.

"Messy consistency removes pressure," she explains. "When people believe fitness is all or nothing, one missed workout can lead to guilt and quitting entirely." 

We've all been there—skip Tuesday's workout, feel like a failure, decide the week is ruined, and suddenly it's Sunday, and you haven't moved in five days.

Sustainable consistency doesn't rely on motivation; it relies on rhythm. Austin aims for a mix of strength training, Pilates, and cardio (whether walking or low-impact videos). "I plan movement into my schedule the same way I plan meetings, but I allow flexibility based on how my body feels."

The key phrase? "Allow flexibility." 

Let's address rest days. In January, they can feel like admitting defeat. Austin's response? "What!! Never!!! Rest is part of the plan, not a break from it."

Your body gets stronger during recovery, not during the workout itself. "Recovery supports muscle growth, hormone balance, mental clarity, and long-term motivation," Austin explains.

Here's what's probably going to happen: you'll try to maintain January-level intensity indefinitely. It won't work. As real life returns (hello work deadlines, social obligations, and travel), people either try to force the same routine or abandon it completely.

Motivation is fickle. It shows up for New Year's and maybe that one random Tuesday in July. Austin doesn't count on it. "I focus on identity and routine. I move because it is part of how I take care of myself, not because I feel motivated every day."

When movement becomes something you simply do rather than constantly debate, consistency gets easier. It shifts from decision to habit.

"I won't lie, it's definitely harder without a 'goal' in mind. Of course its easier when I know I have a Sports Illustrated Swimsuit shoot coming up," Austin explains honestly. 

So what do you do when there's no big event on the horizon? Austin creates her own mini goals, and they're refreshingly achievable. "Sometimes I set 1 to 2 week 'goals' for myself when I feel off track. That can be as simple as telling myself. Ok, let's work out 4 days a week these two weeks."

If you could only focus on one thing after January ends, Austin’s recommendation is refreshingly simple: daily movement in any form. Not perfect workouts. Not extreme training plans. Just movement.

"Try to focus on 20 minutes, because it sounds so doable," she suggests. "Then once you're in it, you'll want to keep going and progress from there."

Once movement becomes non-negotiable, everything else becomes easier. "Let's fall in love with moving our bodies and not dread it," Austin says.