Another year gone. What have you accomplished that you’re proud of this year? It’s time to look back so that we can set our goals for 2026.
As I look back on my calendar, I remember that as my book Age With Grace And Strength came out at the end of last year and into January, it did very well. Since it took me two years to write, I was very proud of it becoming another bestseller! Sales have been fairly steady since then as well. My author events also did well. I met a lot of lovely people, sold more books, and got to spread the joy that came along with those events. We all ate fun anti-inflammatory food, shared laughs, did push-ups together, and learned how all the “old age” symptoms and diseases are connected.
I also gave up alcohol. I am someone who practices what I preach and I could not continue to drink wine with dinner if I was sharing how damaging alcohol is to our brains in my book. Even 1 glass a day is too much, so I gave up mine. That’s something to be proud of as well.
I set a goal to post a new video each week all year long and I did that until the holidays began. Yay for me. That’s been a goal for many years and I actually did it this past year.
I began hybrid classes for the summer so that more Otis people could attend in person and that also worked out. I admit, there was a few weeks learning curve, but we managed to get it done, and one person is continuing the class via Zoom for the winter!
I joined a dance class that my friend Niti was teaching and had a blast until it ended. I hope she does it again sometime! It’s fun to remember how much I loved to dance until I started my own business and ran out of time for it. I also went out to listen to a live band a couple of times and danced more there!
I joined a book club. I’d wanted to do one for years, so it felt good. Even though I didn’t care for the first two books, the discussions we had each month were lively and fun! And, if there was food in the book we were reading, one of the gals made the recipe given so that we could all taste it. I loved it so much, I invited my friend Jana Laiz who is another local author to come and discuss her book after we read it. Not only did she discuss the book, but she actually face timed so that we all could meet one of the people who were in her story! A good time was had by all!
Made some changes to my garden this year and it produced more veggies – Yay!
Visited my friend on her boat in Martha’s Vineyard for 5 days. That was so special! I missed a year or two of going out to see her, so it felt great to make that connection again!
The one thing I’m the most proud of is that I took a course on how to use AI as a tool for my business. It was a 4-month course and I learned SO MUCH! I now have a marketing assistant who does editing, pretties up my blog and social posts, in seconds, and it only costs me $20/month! This saves me many hours each week that I can use to see more clients. I had been afraid to use AI. Not sure why, now. I guess I figured it was beyond my capabilities, but I attended every session, did all the homework, and feel so much better using this tool now. It was taught by someone I’ve followed for many years, Lisa Larter, and she did not disappoint!
Take a look at your calendar and make sure to give yourself a pat on the back for all that you’ve accomplished this past year. Afterwards, you’ll be clearer on the goals that you want to achieve in 2026.
And, if weight loss or more muscle is one of those goals, come to my mastermind and I’ll help you figure out how to do that!
A 10-Minute Year-End Reflection You Will Actually Do
Keep it simple. Ten minutes. A cup of tea. Your calendar and a pen.
- Scan your calendar month by month. Circle moments that felt good. Put a star by anything you learned.
- List three things you’re proud of. Big or small. “I walked three mornings most weeks” counts.
- Note one habit that helped. Keep it.
- Note one habit that hurt. Replace it with a new one.
- Write a one-sentence theme for the year. Example: “I showed up even when tired.”
Put that page on your fridge. Now you are ready to set 2026 goals that fit your real life.
Make Goals That Stick in 2026
Use small steps. Short sentences work for goals too.
- One personal focus per month.
- One fitness target per month.
- One food upgrade per week.
Examples:
- Walk 15 minutes after lunch, five days a week.
- Add 20 g of protein at breakfast.
- Strength train twice a week. Two sets. Slow and steady.
- In bed by 10. Lights out at 10:30.
- Five minutes of box breathing before bed.
Free 90-Minute Mastermind: Why Your Post-Menopausal Weight Won’t Budge (and What To Do Instead)
If you’re over 50 and feel like your body changed overnight, you’re not imagining it.
The weight around your middle, the low energy, the joints that complain every time you get up, and the old “eat less, move more” advice just isn’t cutting it anymore.
On Thursday, January 22 at 3:00 pm ET, I’m hosting a free 90-minute Zoom mastermind just for women 50+ where we’ll talk about:
• Why post-menopausal weight gain is not about willpower
• Why belly fat shows up (and hangs on) after menopause
• How hormones, muscle loss, inflammation, sleep, and stress are all connected
• Where to focus first so you can stop guessing and start making real progress
This is a teaching and Q&A session, not a sales pitch. I’ll be sharing what I see working for my clients every day, and at the end I’ll briefly tell you about my upcoming Real Food and Strength Reset For Women 50+ group program that starts in February, in case you’d like more help.
Click HERE for more information and to save your seat
FAQ
How do I reflect when the year felt “meh”?
Start small. Write three lines: one thing you did, one thing you learned, one person you helped. Odds are, you made more progress than you remember.
What if I didn’t hit my goals?
You learned what did not fit your life. That is useful. Choose one small goal for January. Make it so easy you can do it on your worst day. Then build from there.
What does “sober curious” mean, and should I try it?
“Sober curious” means you start paying attention to when and why you drink in a culture that treats imbibing as a given. Notice your patterns without judgment. Ask yourself what you want from that drink. Relaxation. Connection. Reward. Then test other ways to meet that need. Try two alcohol-free nights a week to start. Many women sleep better and feel brighter in the morning. Awareness leads to better choices.
I’m over 50 and my knees or hips complain. Where do I even start?
Follow this order: relax, stretch, strengthen. First, relax all the muscles surrounding your spine with my relaxation exercise. Next, gentle stretches for hips, hamstrings, and calves. Lastly, add strengthening. Think sit-to-stand from a chair, wall push-ups, and supported balance work. Always stop if you feel pain.
I never have time. What can I do that actually fits?
Check out my YouTube channel for an entire series of 5-minute “exercise breaks.” Do one while the tea kettle boils, or stack two for a quick 10-minute win. Hips, legs, and balance get stronger fast with short, steady practice.
How much protein should I aim for?
A simple rule that helps many women 50+ is to include 20 g of protein at every meal. Eggs, Greek yogurt, cottage cheese, beans, lentils, fish, and chicken are easy options. Bring this to the mastermind Q&A and we can set a plan that fits you.
What should I track first in 2026?
Track sleep for two weeks. Write down bedtime, wake time, and how you feel in the morning. Good sleep helps hormones, hunger, and mood. Sleep is important for healing.
What happens after the mastermind?
You will have clear next steps. If you want more help, I’ll share details about my Real Food and Strength Reset For Women 50+ group that starts in February. No pressure. Just support.
How do I keep my momentum past January?
Choose one anchor habit. For many women, it is a standing date with a friend to walk, a class on the calendar, or my short strength videos. Stack your new habit onto something you already do. For example, “after coffee, I do five minutes of balance and leg work.”
You did more than you think this year. Celebrate it. Then take one small step. Become the CEO of your own health and Age With Grace and Strength.
Meanwhile, enjoy this ten minute fun work-out with me!
Best of Health,
Kathi
