I started my 40 before 40 list with less than a year to complete it; this time I’ve got about 9 and a half years!  The last list spurred me  to do things I likely wouldn't have completed. Writing it down is key. I will be pulling from this list to spice up my annual goals each year now through 2029.    

Some are serious, some are silly – all are good! 

The expectations don’t always match reality.  The typical timeline given after a minimally invasive hysterectomy is to return to a sedentary job at around 4 weeks and resume normal activities/return to non-sedentary job at 6 to 8 weeks. It’s natural to assume that healing is complete at the six to eight-week mark and that life will resume as before surgery. However, six (or eight) isn’t a magic number. It’s simply the amount of time that it takes for the incisions to be mostly healed. Tissues are still healing for months afterwards and they are not as strong and resilient as they once were.  Any complications during early recovery can also prolong healing. 

This timeframe after surgery can be nearly as challenging as early recovery. Some women take on normal life activities at this point without ill effects while others cannot.  It is difficult if you fall into the latter category. Then, once restrictions are lifted, suddenly, you are bearing the weight of partner and family expectations, work obligations and the pressure to “get back to normal”. How do you navigate these expectations and continue to care for your still-healing body?   

As January 1st approaches, many of us are thinking about goals for the new year and new decade.  And if you’ve let your workouts fall to the wayside during the holiday season (or maybe longer), you may be thinking about getting back to it. But should you go back to what you’ve always done? Should you try something new? With so many options, how do you know if you are doing the “right” workout or program? 

For the majority of us who desire general fitness, many paths can take us there.  Each of our bodies, goals, and preferences are unique so my “right workout” is likely a bit different from yours. However, here are six questions to ask to help you determine if yours is a good fit:

It’s natural for us to reflect on the previous months as the year draws to a close.  I’m sharing some of my own and my clients’ thoughts on what was learned or shared this year that would be beneficial to keep in mind as we enter a new year and decade!

On Body Acceptance

I didn't actually appreciate my body and how it was functioning until it wasn’t. I was focused on the wrong things. I worked out to “fix” body parts I didn’t like rather than to make my body stronger and more resilient; those are the things that really matter.

Bigger, smaller, muscled or not - healthy bodies come in various shapes and sizes. The ideal body type changes through the years and it doesn’t necessarily indicate greater health and longevity.  How does your body feel and what can it do? Strive for improvement if you aren’t where you want to be and know that your healthy may look different than someone else’s.

The more I catch negative self-talk and re-frame it, the easier it becomes. The negative self-talk may never go away completely but it's much more quiet!  

My favorite quote from the book Secrets from the Eating Lab,
“You were not put on this earth to mold yourself into a perfect physical specimen. As writer Glennon Melton says, ‘Your body is not your masterpiece, your life is.’"