If you have even the tiniest inkling that you might want to get in shape in the new year-or anytime really-don't wait until January. The best time to start a gym habit is right now, when you'll have the place to yourself.

如果你有一丁点儿要在新年里塑造好身材的想法--或任何其它想法--可千万别等到1月份才开始行动。开始锻炼身体的最佳时机就是现在，当你仍然能在健身房找到一席之地的时候。

Technically¹ "right now" is always the best time to start, but December is special. If you wait until January, gyms will be packed. The first two weeks of the year, everybody thinks they're at the start of an amazing new fitness² habit... and then by February, most of them have forgotten all about it. Don't make life harder for yourself by starting during the big rush. Classes will fill up, you'll have to fight people for the squat³ rack, and it will be hard to have any real fun. So start now.

从技术层面而言，"现在"总是开始某一件事的最佳时机，但12月是特殊的。如果你一直等到明年1月份才开始，健身房会爆满的。每年最开始的那两周，人们都认为是培养惊人变化的健身习惯的开始，之后到了2月份，大多数人就会忘了这回事。趁赶这股热潮会让你的健身之途变得更为困难。健身课堂挤满了人，你需要和别人抢深蹲架，真的毫无乐趣可言。所以，趁现在开始吧。

In December, fair-weather gymgoers will be off shopping for gifts after work and attending holiday parties on the weekends. They won't feel like getting out of their warm beds in the morning, either. When you arrive, the squat rack will be free. You'll have your choice of treadmills⁴. The gym will be your oyster⁵.

12月，享乐的健身爱好者会在下班后购物、会在周末参加聚会。这些人也不愿在早晨离开温暖的被窝。所以，当你到达健身房时，深蹲架任你挑选。你也可以选择跑步机，健身房"为你独尊。"

You'll have one month, give or take, before the rush. And that month is a perfect little timeframe to set a small goal and keep it. Vow⁶ to hit the gym three times a week, and you'll have at least 12 workouts in before the new year. Start a couch-to-5k running plan, and you'll be halfway⁷ done before January.

在大部队到来之前，你大约还有一个月的时间。而12月是设定并实现一个小目标的完美时间框架。向自己发誓每周去健身房3次，那么在新年到来前，你至少可以锻炼12次。开始"从0到5公里"（couch-to-5k）的跑步计划，1月来临前，你就可以跑到2.5公里了。

Yes, December can be busy and stressful, but remember that working out tends to help our brains manage stress. Mark workouts on your calendar, and keep those appointments with yourself. Don't worry about missing out on deals: any gym or studio that offers a January special will be running sales all December too. If they don't offer, just ask.

是的，12月可能是忙碌而又紧张的月份，但请记住：锻炼往往可以帮助我们的大脑管控压力。在日历上标注锻炼计划并自我遵守。不要担心错过任何优惠价：任何提供1月优惠价的健康房或健身室都会在12月份开始促销活动。如果他们没有这种活动，问一下就行了。