My biggest focus in 2023 was taking back my health, and I’m proud of the slow progress I made – and want to share my timeline!
TW: some discussion of weight & eating stuff
First, some history – I’ve been a runner since 2006, and even taught small group fitness classes from 2013-2020, but have always had binge eating problems. It’s gotten better this year but I haven’t mastered it yet. And that’s okay, progress isn’t linear. I’ll keep at it.
All that to say, while I’ve been active for many years, since I’ve never had the diet portion of my life figured out, my weight has fluctuated during all that time. At the beginning of 2023 I was at my heaviest weight ever and felt like garbage – because I was eating mostly garbage. I also wasn’t running (I hadn’t since 10/26/22), because running didn’t feel good or bring me joy anymore.
I didn’t feel like myself. I missed feeling healthy, eating nourishing foods, and running. My 2023 goal started out with a focus on wanting to lose weight so it would feel better to run again, but it evolved into a physical and mental health journey.
Note: this timeline is just the highlights and doesn’t include everything in those categories
January – December
Physical: I tried to eat reasonable portions and not binge eat but also not have anything off limits (except when I took a break from sweets). I very much have an “everything in moderation” mindset.
Mental: I continued to read, paint, and take baths for relaxation. I went on some friend dates in the beginning of the year and that trailed off when my summer got nutso busy.
January & February
Physical: I walked every day and did a half assed strength workout at home every few days.
Mental: I took time off work and went to Tucson to spend time with Tiff and Val. I stopped tracking my workouts as intensely as before or being concerned about ending workouts in “.00.”
March
Physical – I started running again – I had lost some weight and had more energy and was excited to try again (after four months off!). I walked on days I didn’t run (and sometimes did those half assed strength workouts at home).
Mental – I took time off (full time) work in LA with Steven (although it was partially a work trip for Fake Meats).
April
Physical – I continued running and got my bike tuned up. I walked on days I didn’t run (and sometimes did those half assed strength workouts at home).
May
Physical – I started riding my bike again, and continued running (Steven and I did a deliberately slow and cautious buildup to a 5K in June). I walked on days I didn’t run (and sometimes did those half assed strength workouts at home).
Mental – I started therapy for burnout (I started working for Steven parttime in January and started teaching some rock painting classes but didn’t reprioritize my time and hobbies and was struggling).
June
Physical – Steven and I ran our 5K, I started half marathon training, and I started massage again. I walked on days I didn’t run (and sometimes did those half assed strength workouts at home).
Mental – I continued therapy.
July
Physical – Steven and I ran another 5K, I did lots of long runs and long rides and LOVED THEM, and I did RAGBRAI (56 mile bike ride) with my Dad and snister. I got a standing height desk for home. I continued massage. I walked on days I didn’t run (and sometimes did those half assed strength workouts at home).
Mental – I took time off work for trips to Iowa (trip 2 with Tiff and Val and family, trip 3 with Steven and family), I continued therapy.
August
Physical – I completed half marathon training but didn’t run a half. I started doing group fitness at WWM. I continued massage. I kept up with cycling outside. I walked on days I didn’t run.
Mental – I took some time off work in Denver and hung out with Val and Carrie. I continued therapy. I flew with Steven for the first time and realized it makes me extremely happy and giddy.
September
Physical – I tried acupuncture and liked it! Unfortunately they would not work with my insurance so I haven’t been back. I did a 10K with Rachel. I kept up with group fitness. I continued massage. I kept up with cycling outside. I walked on days I didn’t run.
Mental – I started journaling and stopped sharing my weekend recaps here (which lifted a self-imposed “must document everything!” weight, and helped with some uneasy feelings of all that being public). I took this month off therapy, which was a bad idea.
October
Physical – I got balayage. I ran a half marathon and made two new friends. I kept doing long runs after the half. I kept up with group fitness. I continued massage. I kept up with cycling outside. I walked on days I didn’t run.
Mental – I took time off work for a trip to Maine with Steven, Val and Steve. I dabbled in meditation. I started therapy back up. I set boundaries.
November & December
Physical – I kept up with long runs and group fitness. I continued massage. I kept up with cycling outside. I walked on days I didn’t run.
Mental – I traveled to LA to spend time with Tiff and Val. I kept up with therapy and journaling. I said no to co-hosting a rock painting challenge again to protect my mental health (and am so glad I did – December was nuts with work).
Hopefully the very repetitive nature of this timeline demonstrates how I slowly built all of these things up. That is what has made keeping up with them all possible – I didn’t try to do it all at once. And I think slowly building up my fitness has kept me from getting injured, too (*knock on wood).
It wasn’t all sunshine and roses though – my mental health has gone up and down throughout the year. I felt mentally burned out for most of December. I’ve been struggling to come up with creative ideas for months. My eating has been off since October (but I’m determined to get back on track so I feel my best again). I wanted to try fitting yoga in and still haven’t. Etc, etc. There are always improvements to be made!
But! I’m extremely proud of the progress I’ve made this year and am excited to have this foundation going into 2024. I’m curious to see how consistent strength training transforms (or doesn’t?) me, and if my body will feel healthy enough to run a marathon (I plan to see how I feel in late February/or mid March then decide. Or heck, maybe even April. Ha!).
A lot of people started this year with the intention to take back their health. A much smaller number are in your league who actually followed through and did something about it.
Bravo to prioritizing yourself and the good things in life! The crappy stuff will always be there, but it doesn’t have to dominate. Yes it’s always a work in progress but it really helps to have a lot of progress to look back on. I can’t wait to see what you do in 2024!
You always write the kindest things. Thank you so much!
And yes! There will always be crap but I feel like I built such a foundation this year and learned so much about myself. I am excited about the new year!
I am newish to your blog, so haven’t been here for the whole journey, but WHAT A YEAR. You have been working so hard, so diligently on yourself and your mental and physical health! Congratulations. What commendable progress. I look forward to seeing all the good things in store for you in 2024!
Thank you so much Suzanne! And thank you for finding me because I love reading your blog!
When you look at the whole year like this, you made TREMENDOUS progress (from where you started in January till now.). Yes, healing is never linear. I also have eating issues, and I don’t think it’s the type of thing you ever “conquer” forever- it’s just something to constantly manage. Holidays are hard, and my eating has been off this month. My stomach is letting me know it’s not happy!
Anyway- I’m glad you’re proud of the progress you’ve made. It sounds like you’re starting 2024 in a good place.
I was thinking that as I wrote it – like will I ever truly “master” this? Or will I just have smaller set backs and be kinder to myself?! I hope your stomach feels better soon! I am starting to feel like I am getting there with being on my normal diet since Wednesday and getting more sleep!
And thanks so much!
Well done, Kim, on making both your physical and mental health a priority this year, and for making small changes over the long haul. I think changes that are slowly and gradually implemented have the best chance of becoming permanent, and even though things naturally go up and down over time, it sounds like you have really established a foundation that works for you. Woo hoo! 🙂
Thanks so much Amy! I think slow and gradual is totally the way too. And it’s hard to have that mindset in this day in age when we have so much instant gratification, and when so many places sell easy and fast (fake!) fixes. I am excited for 2024!
I think what your timeline format shows is that change really only happens as a result of LOTS of very small decisions eventually starting to add up and make a difference. My nutrition coach and I have talked about this a few times over the past year – she mentioned that a lot of people get frustrated with how slow the process can be and give up because they aren’t seeing drastic results right away. But I think you and I both know better than that – anytime you get a drastic result, it’s typically not sustainable!
I’m so happy that you were able to make so many positive changes for yourself last year! I can’t wait to see where this next year takes you on that journey 🙂
Yes! Thank you for pointing that out! So many people have asked me (irl) what I did to lose weight/etc and I they are disappointed when it’s a bunch of little steps over time.
Thank you!
Wow, Kim. I hope you realize how amazing this is! You transformed your life and your focus over 12 months – that’s fantastic. You were consistent, determined, and figured out what worked for you and what did not. I love reading about how you have such fantastic new friendships with Val and Tiff, and that you were able to prioritize time with them, Steven, and your family. <3 I hope that 2024 is just as amazing for you!
Thank you so much Anne! I really appreciate your support and kind words! Having those new accepting and loving relationships has really helped me – I’m so grateful for them!
As you said, progress is not linear but wow, did you make changes – physically and mentally – in 2023. I am so proud of you.
Thank you!