While I was walking by the lake, I let my voice-to-text roll and just started talking. Here are some of my thoughts from that walk.
I have noticed within the past week or so that I am thinking about healthier choices more in general and seeking opportunities to make healthier choices. For instance, every day last week when I dropped off my youngest off at Preschool, I went for a walk immediately after. Part of this is because it’s winter time, and the weather was finally favorable enough to do it, but at the same time I could’ve chosen not to. I saw the opportunity and seized it, and I’m very proud of myself for that.
There’s something different about this year, 2026, I can feel it. I believe that I will succeed. I believe that I will reach my goals. In years prior it was always more of a wish or hope when I would set weight loss goals, almost knowing that it was only a wish because of my circumstances. I was in the baby-toddler trenches at the time.
My kids are a little older now, ages 5 and 10, and I have a little more energy and opportunity to focus on myself again. I’m seizing that opportunity now; I’m doing it and I will continue to do it.
Life is shifting in ways that are bittersweet for me. My children will both be in full-time school next year and so I will have even more time to focus on me. Of course we never know what God has for us but I do believe that the upcoming shift in our family, while a little heartbreaking for a mother, will produce good fruit because God is faithful.
I am so excited for what this year has for me and I am going to continue working to seize every opportunity to make healthier decisions and give myself grace in times when I don’t.
During this entire journey of trying to lose weight, which has been my entire adult life and even longer if I’m honest — it has all led to this season of success.
I have learned so much over the years I have learned how to fail gracefully and get back up again and that’s good because I’m sure I will do that many times this year, but I also know that life has shifted enough and is continuing to shift in a way that provides opportunity for me to continue to grow and finally reach my goals.
I’m looking forward to this year and the growth that will come!
