Millions of people around the world wake up on New Year’s Day with the same intention: to begin working towards their New Year’s resolution. Some people might establish the goal of becoming a nicer person, scoring a job promotion or simply learning something new. However, those who have participated in the “Winter Arc” social media trend will begin their new year with a feeling of confidence, knowing that they have already accomplished something in the past three months.

Starting Oct. 1 and lasting until Jan. 1, the three-month period in which participants begin their Winter Arc is treated as a time of discipline and consistency. A viral trend on social media platforms such as TikTok and Instagram, the Winter Arc is essentially a method to form old-fashioned habits such as sleeping more, eating healthier and becoming more fit. There is no specific regimen participants must adhere to, as individuals choose their own paths to accomplish their goals. Sports medicine teacher Dr. Stacey Kofman emphasizes taking small steps towards completing a larger goal.

“Set a goal that you can accomplish a little bit at a time,” she said. “Move that goal a little bit more down the road each time, so you can stay in your workout. You see the benefits and realize that ‘this is good for me to build these healthy habits.’”

Kofman highlights some of the many physical benefits of waking up early and exercising in the morning when partaking in the Winter Arc trend such as increased oxygen concentration levels. “Getting your exercise first thing in the morning gets more oxygen to your brain,” she said. “You wake up and you’re more refreshed, (so) you’re actually able to concentrate better in school.”

However, the pitfall of this trend is its lack of consistency. Kofman highlights that abrupt changes from this highly active and healthy lifestyle after three months can be damaging to the body.

“If you stop working out, you lose all your gains,” she said. “You fluctuate. You go up and down all the time, and it’s worse for you than if you stayed steady.”

Kofman emphasizes the importance of continuing to engage in healthy activities after the Winter Arc. Although the trend doesn’t last a lifetime, it could be a first step towards a lasting journey of fitness.

“Fitness is lifelong,” Kofman said. “It’s not supposed to be three months out of a year. It’s a lifelong activity.”