There’s something about November that makes us want to slow down.
The days are shorter, the mornings are darker, and heading out to an exercise class on a cold evening can suddenly feel much less appealing than staying home in the warm!
But while it’s perfectly natural to change our routines during the winter months, maintaining regular movement is one of the best things we can do for our physical and mental wellbeing.
As a Pilates and Callanetics teacher in Auchterarder, I see first-hand how much difference regular exercise can make, particularly as we move through midlife and beyond.
And the good news? Exercise doesn’t have to be high impact or exhausting to be worthwhile.
Why movement becomes more important as we age
As we get older, our bodies naturally undergo changes.
Muscle mass and strength can gradually decline, joints may feel stiffer, and activities we once took for granted can sometimes become more challenging.
For women, the hormonal changes associated with menopause can also affect muscle strength, bone health and general wellbeing.
This is why maintaining an active lifestyle is so important.
Regular exercise can help us maintain muscle strength, improve balance and mobility, and support our ability to carry out everyday activities confidently.
It’s not necessarily about becoming fitter than we were twenty years ago.
For many of us, it’s about staying strong, mobile and independent for as long as possible.
The winter exercise trap
It’s surprisingly easy to become less active during the colder months.
Perhaps we stop going for our usual walks because it’s raining, spend more time sitting indoors or simply find it harder to motivate ourselves when it’s dark outside.
And before we know it, our regular exercise routine has slipped.
The problem is that the less we move, the more difficult movement can begin to feel.
Muscles can become weaker through inactivity, and we may notice increased stiffness or reduced confidence in our physical abilities.
That’s why maintaining a regular routine, even if it’s just once or twice a week, can be so beneficial.
Why I continue to love Callanetics
I’ve been teaching exercise for many years, and Callanetics remains one of my favourite methods.
Unlike high-impact workouts, Callanetics focuses on small, controlled movements that challenge the muscles while encouraging good posture, alignment and body awareness.
And don’t be fooled by those tiny movements!
Anyone who has attended one of my classes will know that Callanetics can be surprisingly challenging.
What I particularly love is that it encourages us to concentrate on how we’re moving rather than how quickly we can complete an exercise.
It’s not about keeping up with everyone else.
It’s about learning to use our bodies effectively and developing strength and control over time.
Exercise is good for more than our muscles
One of the lovely things about attending a regular exercise class is the social side.
For many people, especially during the winter months, getting out of the house and meeting others can be just as valuable as the exercise itself.
There’s something to be said for having a regular appointment in your diary that’s entirely about looking after yourself.
You arrive, enjoy a bit of company, concentrate on your exercises and leave knowing you’ve done something positive.
Physical activity can also support mental wellbeing, improve mood and help reduce feelings of stress.
And during the darker winter months, those benefits are particularly welcome.
You don’t have to wait until January
Every year, January arrives with the usual promises of new fitness routines and healthier lifestyles.
But why wait?
Keeping active throughout November and December can help maintain the habits we’ve worked hard to establish during the year.
And if you’ve fallen out of your usual routine, there’s no reason you can’t begin again now.
You don’t need to make dramatic changes.
A little regular movement, whether that’s walking, Pilates, Callanetics or another activity you enjoy, is a great place to start.
Finishing the year with Callanetics in Auchterarder
My Wednesday evening Callanetics classes are approaching the end of their 2026 programme, with just three sessions remaining:
- Wednesday 11th November 6pm – 6.50pm
- Wednesday 18th November 6pm – 6.50pm
- Wednesday 25th November 6pm – 6.50pm
It’s been lovely welcoming everyone along throughout the year.
I deliberately keep my classes small and friendly, giving everyone the opportunity to concentrate on their technique and work at an appropriate level.
We’ll then be taking a break over Christmas and New Year, with classes returning on Wednesday 27th January 2027 at 6pm at Auchterarder Parish Church.
And while we’ll soon be taking a well-earned Christmas break, I hope everyone will continue finding little ways to stay active over the festive period.
Because looking after our strength, mobility and wellbeing isn’t just something we should think about in January.
It’s something worth doing all year round.
Interested in joining Callanetics in January?
If you’d like to find out more about my Callanetics classes in Auchterarder, Perthshire, please get in touch.
You can also read my earlier article, What Is Callanetics?, which explains the exercise method and what to expect from a class.