Looking Back at 2025

2025 threw quite a bit at us: diabetes, the loss of two of our pups, a cross-state move and a lot of other changes.

Got diagnosed with diabetes, reconnected with an old friend who would help me tremendously in that journey, got on some meds, started working out, started eating well, lost some weight, kept working out, started to enjoy working out, lost some more weight, lost a dog, realized we were supposed to move to a new town, lost another dog, climbed Steamboat Mountain, left some good people in Abilene and moved on what must have been the hottest time of the year…..

Became landlords, saw MCR, rode around the Corpus Christi Bay, lost a little more weight, questioned my life choices, realized I like headbands, determined we’re a fully family of neurodivergents, found a new church, made new friends (haven’t forgotten about the old ones), hit a goal weight I’d been chasing for roughly 5 years, got my diabetes into remission (even though I really hate that word), started getting formal strength coaching, realized I think I want to be a strength coach as well, reconnected with another friend through Zwift, virtually climbed a stupidly big mountain (Alpe de Zwift), went to the beach on Christmas Eve and finished out the year realizing I can lift really heavy things.

It’s been a heck of a year, to say the least. I’d like to say “we’re not slowing down!” But I think we will a little bit. A little bit of rest would be nice and welcomed. We created several new systems for ourselves, as it relates to fitness, diet, ADHD and, now, autism. Our focus for this year is leaning into margin and how we can better communicate as a family towards each other, knowing that we each respond a little differently to tone, body language, feelings and touch.

We created SMART goals for ourselves this year. We normally do typical goals, but we wanted to make things a lot more manageable and realistic for ourselves. We hope we can achieve them, but we’re focusing on following through rather than perfection. Perfectionism is a rather unfortunate trait that comes with neurodivergence. All-or-nothing thinking kills the joy we should feel when we make real progress, even when we don’t reach the finish line. We also tried to split them up into halves of the year, rather than trying to accomplish them all in one trip around the sun.

Regardless, I think it’s human nature to want to create goals at the turning point of different events. It’s healthy, and good for the heart, mind and soul. It’s a new chance, a new opportunity, a new motivation.

To those that are getting back into the gym for the first time, and you’re afraid of being part of the “New Year Crowd”. Who cares. Take up space, regardless of your size. If someone at the gym tells you off for not knowing what to do, ask them for help. It’s disarming, and they need to learn to be better than that. Showing up truly is the toughest part. If you don’t feel like doing an hour-long workout, then just tell yourself you have enough in you to do 10 minutes’ worth. And when that’s done, do another 10 minutes’ worth. You just have to do that 4 more times.

To those getting their diet back on track, get it! You got this. Make realistic guardrails for yourself. Find some accountability peeps to help you out. Track your food for a little bit until you get the hang of it all. Start small. And most importantly, give yourself some freaking grace. Change sucks and it’s hard. Your mind and body are going to fight you tooth and nail on it. But that’s okay. Keep going. Both of those things will shut up after a little bit, after they realize that you’re serious about this change.

To those trying to lose weight, give it time. It doesn’t happen overnight. In fact, you may even gain a little weight before you lose it. Again, change is tough. Your body doesn’t like it. It’s going to fight you on that. Just keep going. Stick with it for 3 months before you make another change to your program. I promise you’ll see change.

To those trying to accomplish a big, scary goal, just eat the elephant one bite at a time. Don’t overcomplicate it. Make a plan and stick to it. Adjust if needed but continue to see it through.

I figure someone on here needs to hear it. I did last year, and I had people around me that told me that. So, now I’m passing it on to whoever else needs it.

Anyway, here’s some cool photos for y’all to look at.