December is undoubtedly a period for reflection on the year passed. From past experience it is also a time where a lot of hard work can be undone. Diet goes out of the window, the comfort of an extra hour in bed takes precedence and temptation for a quick drink after work is never stronger! So instead of reflecting in January after the damage is done, I am trying to focus on my achievements now, to keep myself motivated through the festive season.

That is not to say that I won’t be celebrating or indulging in some Christmas Chocs or a whiskey or two, but upon reflection of the year almost gone, my strength has been the consistency that I have brought into my fitness journey. I have shown up for myself and tried to get the most out of every session. I have journeyed too far to let it fall by the wayside.

This year I have seen the culmination of all aspects of my life. I have achieved a better balance of work/life, I have taken control

of my fitness, I have laughed a lot and loved endlessly. I have tried to make myself more of a priority in my own life too! Sounds crazy but at times, over the years it has felt a little bit like being a supporting character in my own life. 

I watched the Holiday the other day and a particular part really struck me:

“I CAN TELL YOU ARE A LEADING LADY BUT FOR SOME REASON YOU ARE BEHAVING LIKE THE BEST FRIEND…

YOU’RE SUPPOSED TO BE THE LEADING LADY OF YOUR OWN LIFE”

To give myself the best chance to thrive I started working with a new trainer. Someone who I could see in person and could build on myself with. Pete has taught me so much, in a relatively short period of time, and not just about exercise or building muscle! He has shown me how to develop as a person, has built my confidence and challenges me, even when I think I can’t do it! I have progressed. 

And yes the results are starting to show, I am pleased with the development that my body has made. I can balance my diet and workouts and trust in myself to push as hard as I need to, independently.

I am changed. 

And then I bought a new car – something that was never a priority for me, but recently had become a step in the next phase of life. I am so proud of it. And god it’s so comfortable, I don’t know why I waited so long! 

I set some arbitrary resolutions in January and I made some good headway – although lost steam when I got promoted. This year I read three books cover to cover. Not what I aimed for, but I did it.  One by one the resolutions fell by the wayside, but one thing did maintain, my commitment to myself.  My weeks have been punctuated with my training sessions and the gym community with whom I am now a part of. I have friends, supporters and competitors. The gym continues to be more than just a place to exercise, it is my mental coping mechanism, my goal setting, and more recently a social hub. 

I look back on 2025 as a tough year. But one where I discovered a bit more about myself. The year I embraced my strengths and my weaknesses and challenged myself to keep pushing through. I will embark on 2026 with a better knowledge of myself, older, a little wiser and motivated to keep moving forwards. 

The gift that 2025 gave me was a better sense of self-value. And I hope to maintain this in the coming year.

TIB