December 2025
Stay Active, Stay Strong, and Start NOW—Not January
A Personal Note from Dr. Scott:
Hey ,
Every December, I notice the same thing happen.
People start quietly saying the three most dangerous words in fitness:
“In January, I’ll…”
In January, I’ll start working out.
In January, I’ll get my mobility back.
In January, I’ll fix this pain once and for all.
In January, I’ll finally prioritize myself.
But here’s the truth no one tells you:
January doesn’t magically give you motivation. It gives you pressure.
And pressure — especially after a long, exhausting holiday season — rarely leads to real change. If anything, it makes people quit even faster.
But December…
December gives you momentum.
You don’t have to overhaul your life.
You don’t need to be perfect.
You just need small wins that stack.
That’s it.
A few consistent workouts.
A few smart decisions.
A little accountability.
A little movement each day.
A little energy coming back to your body.
Most people wait until January to start feeling better — but you can start feeling better in 48 hours.
The holidays don’t have to be a setback. They can actually be the start of your comeback… if you let them.
Dedicated to Your Success,
Scott
P.S. I always tell people this: If you don’t want your January to feel like a rescue mission, give your body a little bit of attention now. Even small steps make a big difference.
Article of the Month
Why December — Not January — Is the Best Time to Start Getting Active Again
Every year, millions of adults wait for the clock to strike midnight before making a commitment to healthier habits. But what most people don’t realize is this:
January is the hardest month of the year to start a fitness routine.
Between cold weather, post-holiday fatigue, busy schedules, and overwhelming “new year, new me” pressure… people burn out before they even get going.
That’s why the smartest, most successful adults start in December — when small, sustainable habits create momentum that carries into the new year.
Here’s why starting now works better:
1. You avoid the January rush.
Gyms are overcrowded, trainers are booked solid, and motivation disappears fast. December gives you space to ease in.
2. You build habits during the hardest month — which makes the rest of the year easier.
If you can stay active in December, you can stay active anytime.
3. You feel better during the holidays.
More energy. Better sleep. Less joint stiffness. Better mood. Fewer cravings.
4. You get ahead of everyone else.
Instead of starting from zero in January, you enter the new year already moving, already stronger, and already confident.
5. Your body will thank you.
A little bit of movement now protects your joints, metabolism, strength, and mobility — preventing the “holiday slide” most people fall into.
If you want January to feel different than past years, you must do something different right now.
Staff Spotlight
Dr. Fernanda Paulsen — Pelvic Health Specialist
This month, we’re celebrating Dr. Fernanda Paulsen, our Pelvic Health Physical Therapist and one of the most compassionate, knowledgeable clinicians on our team.
Dr. Fernanda specializes in helping women overcome issues like urinary leakage, pelvic pain, prolapse symptoms, and postpartum recovery — without medications, surgery, or embarrassment.
She brings a rare combination of clinical expertise, warmth, and deep empathy. Her patients describe her as:
- Calm
- Supportive
- Nonjudgmental
- Thorough
- Life-changing
Dr. Fernanda has played a significant role in expanding our women’s health program, empowering women of every age to regain confidence, strength, and control of their bodies.
Fitness Corner
Holiday Survival Guide: 5 Simple Ways to Stay Active Without Overhauling Your Life
The holiday season doesn’t have to derail your energy, strength, or consistency. These small, simple habits can keep you feeling great — without needing an hour in the gym:
1. Move for 10 minutes every morning.
Walk, stretch, or perform a light mobility routine. It sets the tone for the entire day.
2. Strength train twice per week.
It keeps your metabolism up, your joints protected, and your muscles firing — even when schedules get tight.
3. Keep protein high at meals.
It stabilizes energy and decreases cravings.
4. Drink water before every meal.
A simple, proven trick to control portions and boost digestion.
5. Don’t aim for perfect — aim for better.
If you can stay 60–70% consistent during the holidays, you’ll feel incredible by January 1st.
Fitness Client Of The Month
How Mark Stevens Is Training for Longevity — Not a Six-Pack
Mark Stevens came to us with a simple but powerful goal:
“I want to stay strong, mobile, and independent for the next 30 years — not just the next 30 days.”
Mark isn’t here to chase a six-pack.
He’s here for longevity.
He’s here for strength.
He’s here for balance, mobility, and the confidence that his body will keep up with the life he wants to live.
Since training with our team, Mark has:
- Increased his total-body strength
- Improved balance and stability
- Gained mobility in his hips and shoulders
- Reduced tightness and nagging stiffness
- Boosted his energy
- Built confidence in movements he once avoided
Most importantly — Mark feels like he’s “aging in reverse.”
That’s exactly what smart, intentional strength training does for adults 50+… especially when it’s guided, safe, and built for longevity.
Patient Case Study of the Month
How Tom Overcame Shoulder Pain with The Gray Method™
Tom came to us with chronic shoulder impingement and lingering biceps tendon irritation. Any time he lifted his arm — reaching overhead, grabbing something from a cabinet, or working out — he felt a sharp, catching pain in the front of the shoulder.
When we assessed him using The Gray Method™, we found several root causes:
- His shoulder joint was sitting too far forward (anterior)
- His subscapularis was weak, which allowed the humeral head to glide forward
- His posterior capsule was tight, pushing the joint even more anterior
- His scapula wasn’t upwardly rotating, causing compression every time he reached overhead
- His forearm was stuck in pronation, stopping his arm from naturally externally rotating — a necessary motion to avoid impingement
In simple terms, Tom’s shoulder was in the worst possible mechanical position every time he raised his arm.
Once we addressed these underlying issues — restoring posterior capsule mobility, strengthening the subscapularis, improving scapular upward rotation, and correcting forearm mechanics — everything changed.
His pain reduced.
His movement improved.
His strength returned.
His bicep tendon finally calmed down.
And he could lift overhead again without pain.
Today, Tom is back to working out consistently and moving with confidence — all because we treated the cause, not just the symptoms.
Offer Of The Month
The 14-Day Holiday Health Reset
A perfect way to stay active, stay accountable, and start feeling better before the new year.
Most people wait until January.
The people who succeed start now.
Our 14-Day Holiday Reset includes:
- Guided workouts
- Coaching accountability
- Easy-to-follow nutrition support
- Mobility and flexibility work
- Personalized guidance
- A simple, structured plan to help you feel better now — not later
If you want more energy, less stiffness, better strength, and a good head start on January… this is for you.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Holiday Schedule:
We will maintain normal hours with slight adjustments Christmas week. Please check your email for updates.
Holiday Workout Week:
Join us for fun, energizing holiday-themed workouts all month long.
THANKSGIVING FOOD DRIVE
The Results of Our Thanksgiving Food Drive
This Thanksgiving, our Back In Motion community showed up in a big way—and we couldn’t be more grateful.
Thanks to your generosity, we delivered nearly 200 pounds of food to the Gladiolus Food Pantry, including 7 frozen turkeys, roughly 60 canned items, 30 boxes of food, and much more. When we arrived, the staff was ecstatic. Sawyer and I had the chance to tour the facility and watch as your donations were unpacked and placed directly onto the shelves—knowing these items would be in the hands of local families within hours.
Moments like this remind us that strength isn’t just physical… it’s community.
And you helped make the holiday season brighter for countless families in Southwest Florida.
Thank you again for your kindness and generosity.
Oliver’s Healthy Recipe
Oliver’s Corner Recipe
Cinnamon Protein Oat Bake
A warm, satisfying holiday breakfast that keeps you full and energized.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup oats
- 1 scoop vanilla protein
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 egg
- 1 cup almond milk
- 1 tbsp maple syrup
- Optional: berries or walnuts
Ingredients
Mix, pour into a baking dish, bake at 350° for 25 minutes.
Simple, healthy, delicious.
QUIZ OF THE MONTH
Holiday Health Self-Check: Are You Staying Ahead or Falling Behind?
Answer yes or no:
- Are you moving at least 3 days per week?
- Are you drinking 60+ oz of water daily?
- Are you strength training at least once per week?
- Are you getting 7+ hours of sleep most nights?
- Are you keeping protein high at meals?
If you answered “no” to 2 or more, December is the perfect time to reset — not January.
Call (239) 223-0484
