Monthly Check-In: A Healthier Me
Month: January
Year: 2026
How This Month Went (The Big Picture)
January felt rushed and hurried, yet somehow slow at the very same time. Getting sick right out of the gate didn’t help—especially since I turn into a full-blown carb hoarder when I’m under the weather. I crave pasta, brothy soups loaded with noodles and veggies, and endless slices of toast.
Then came the deep freeze. The kind of extreme cold that brings snow, keeps you indoors, and practically demands comfort food. Heavy meals. Cozy couches. Very little movement.
All of it added up to a start that didn’t exactly align with my health goals. Not because I didn’t care—but because winter, illness, and real life showed up first.
What Went Well
Celebrate the wins, big or small. Nothing is too minor to count.
· Swapping sweets for cappuccinos.
Instead of our usual nightly ice cream, my sister and I started having cappuccinos in the evening. She got a Mambo coffee machine (not a coffee pot—an actual machine), and that small switch felt indulgent without being heavy. Same ritual, different choice.
· Finding better recipes.
I came across several recipes that are high in protein and packed with vegetables. I may not have cooked them all yet, but finding them counts. It means I’m thinking ahead and setting myself up to make better choices soon.
· Choosing to invest in movement.
I decided to get a treadmill—and I stopped caring about the cost. I’d rather invest in my health now than invest in medications later. That mindset shift alone feels like progress.
What Was Hard
This is a judgment-free space. Name the struggles without shame.
· Not overeating.
Being sick, stuck inside, and surrounded by comfort food made it hard to stop when I was already full.
· Not overloading on carbs during the snowstorm weekend.
Cold weather and snow days tend to push me straight toward heavy, carb-loaded meals—and resisting that pull wasn’t easy.
· Not moving nearly enough.
Between illness, extreme cold, and too much couch time, my activity level dropped way more than I wanted it to.
Habits I’m Working On
The habits I’m intentionally building or strengthening.
· More vegetables, less carbs.
Not elimination—just better balance and more intention with what’s on my plate.
· More movement, less excuses.
Even small amounts count. Consistency matters more than perfection.
· More encouragement, less influence in the wrong direction.
I want to cheer others on in healthier choices, not drag them into my own unhealthy habits.
Habits I Need to Let Go Of
The things that aren’t serving my health or peace.
· Guilt.
It took 57 years to get this body to where it is—and that won’t be undone overnight. Guilt isn’t motivation; it’s baggage. I’m done carrying it.
· Excuses.
Yes, some things are out of my control—like bitter cold weather that keeps me indoors. But that doesn’t mean movement isn’t possible. I can still show up for myself at home.
· Procrastination.
It’s time to be a Day One girl and stop being a One Day girl. Waiting hasn’t worked. Starting will.
Food & Nourishment
How I fueled my body this month.
- What worked well with eating? Swapping nightly ice cream for cappuccinos, paying more attention to protein and vegetables, and being more mindful of why I was eating—comfort versus hunger.
- What needs adjustment? Portion awareness, especially with carbs during stress and cold weather. More consistent movement, even on indoor days. And planning meals ahead of time so healthier choices are easier to follow through on.
Accountability Corner
(Sharing with grace, not shame.)
- Change this month: Gained a total of 0.6 lbs. Not ideal and not the direction I hoped for—but also not catastrophic. More information than failure, and something I can respond to moving forward.
Lessons Learned
What this month taught me:
This month reminded me that progress isn’t linear—and it rarely starts perfectly. Getting sick, being snowed in, and moving slower than planned didn’t mean I failed; it meant I was living real life.
I learned that small shifts matter. Swapping ice cream for cappuccinos. Looking for better recipes. Choosing to invest in tools that support my health. None of it was loud or dramatic, but all of it was intentional.
Most of all, this month taught me that grace and discipline can exist together. I don’t have to punish myself to change. I just have to keep choosing “day one” again and again.
Looking Ahead to Next Month
February – God’s Love & Grace
“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail.” — Lamentations 3:22–23
Health goals for the coming month:
• Buy the treadmill and actually use it.
Not perfectly. Not every day. Just consistently enough to build the habit and make movement part of my routine.
• Cook more, cook better, cook cleaner.
More meals at home using whole, simple ingredients—lean protein, vegetables, and foods that support how I want to feel.
Closing Thoughts
And just to say it out loud: getting sick, eating comfort food, and resting during a snowstorm is not moral failure—it’s being a person with a body. Health goals don’t disappear because January was messy. They just wait for you to come back with kindness.
Invitation
If you’re on a similar journey, I’d love to hear from you.
What worked for you this month? What are you struggling with?
Faith Love n Joy 