Healthy Habits and Goals

This year is nearly done, and where has the time gone? It felt right to sit down and reflect on health, on habits and on choices. The choices that shape our day-to-day. Not to be dramatic, but goodness, what a journey it has been.

Looking Back
At the start of the year, nothing went as planned. I fell off my routine, and it makes me a bit nervous about the new year. But I feel excited to give it a go. At the end of the day, I made my way back, and it’s been slow and steady, but it has me winning the race against myself. I am also in a different place now, I’ve been at this for longer than I did last year, and I feel keen to flourish.

Progress
For me, plateaus as frequent and long, but I try to keep at it, and it does work. It’s a bit disheartening sometimes, but that is no reason to give up. All the rules others have about plateaus don’t work for me, and I think that knowing your body and doing what’s best is well. the best. Besides, I have tried giving up before, and that did not make me happy either.

Working out weekly has helped me mentally. I have been building up my fitness a lot, and sometimes it is going so very well, and other times it’s not as great. But that too is normal, as long as you keep going

How we see ourselves
An unexpected part of life in general is the difference between how people see me. Especially when we have met. If they have known me for years, they see me as a more sporty or health-focused person than if they have not known me before.

Somewhere between those two versions is where I currently stand. I am not who I used to be, not yet who I want to be, but still someone trying, and I do know what I am doing, and sometimes it feels a bit silly. As if who I think I am is not who I actually am.

I try not to think much about how others view me. I present myself as who I am, as there is nothing more for us to do in that aspect.

The small things that matter
Some things helped me, which I want to share with you

Walking every evening after dinner
I’ve been doing it for years, and it’s not only fun but also something that helps you work out if you can’t or have never done it
Drinking more water
My best tip is adding a bit of squash, which is perfect. No, but if it helps you not drink sugary drinks, that is a win.
Planning weekly meals
I think planning out meals can be so helpful. Some days we eat more calorie-dense meals, but if we can plan the rest of the day, we can still keep ourselves within our calorie intake if we take a full week.
Tracking
I think it’s good to track, but I don’t do it obsessively. I don’t think it’s needed to micromanage every gram or calorie. To burn yourself out, consistency is more important than perfection. Let’s keep those things for that final road.

The next chapter
For the year ahead, I want to continue building on this foundation: eating well, moving my body, and making choices that feel sustainable. Not with pressure, but with patience. I am looking for a rhythm.
Small choices. Tiny victories. Because those changes will carry us over the finish line.

Eating good food, working out, and enjoying nature are all so very good, not only physically but mentally. In the new year, I wish more of that. For you and for me.