If you’re new here, you may know me from my old blog that I previously had on https://susanne.ie. This is my new blog about fitness and personal topics. If you’re interested in knowing more about the why, feel free to read my “about” page or this post.

In the beginning of this year I came across a lovely new link-up, hosted by some lovely Australian bloggers and one from Canada. It had a fitness/wellness theme, and I felt that it would fit me and my blog perfectly. What could possibly go wrong with that theme?

Well, everything! I made it too difficult for myself, wanting to share something helpful and inspiring every month, I set the bar too high and ended up being unable to write most of those months. I forgot that you can inspire people also by writing a simple monthly recap. I already write a weekly fitness recap where I share my weekly workouts, how they went and other reflections and life happenings during the week. Now and then I get comments from people saying I inspired them to get started with strength training, lift more or lift heavier. That always makes my day and is one of the reasons I still write about my fitness journey. It should also remind me that you can inspire people by just being you and that you don’t need to write big, life-changing educational posts if that’s not your thing.

Now that wellness link-up is ending so why not share something about the year of fitness and wellness and what I learned?

2025 became a hard year, even if in reality I’ve had only minor issues. But there’s been emotional hardships in many areas – age crisis, health issues in the family, various problems of my own that disrupted my strength training, worries about career and more, and during the autumn I’ve felt exhausted. But 2025 also brought a lot of highlights, not the least in the fitness and wellness sphere, so let’s talk about it.

Fitness achievements, health highlights and some lowlights

The year started with some big news – in February I did my second DEXA scan and learned that I had been upgraded to osteopenia, with a bone density improvement of up to 8%.

The same week I started a new program in the gym with heavier weights, and during this time I celebrated my three year anniversary of strength training.

During this cycle of heavier weights I hit the milestone of a 60 kg back squat, and later I managed to squat my own bodyweight of 62,5 kgs.

The early spring was a great time in the gym! I felt strong and confident, but soon some troubles started. This year has given me niggle after niggle and after those squat PBs I’ve been standing still with my strength progress. My left elbow started hurting exactly in the same way the right elbow did the year before, in the summer a muscle in my lower back/hip got upset, and later I got a problem in my right arm and shoulder. During the autumn I’ve been feeling very down about not being able to lift like I used to. I need to keep lifting heavy enough to keep challenging my bones, and if I can’t do that I start worrying about my bone health again. In addition to that, any physical problems trigger the problematic question whether it’s age-related and that everything I want to do is now too late.

My left elbow is a mystery but I have theories for what may have caused the other problems and if I’m right they are all preventable. Sitting less, and optimising sleep and nutrition where possible are part of the solution. I also have a lot of help from my personal trainer and have continued training all the time with modifications in certain exercises, with reduced weight or something else. He’s also given me some exercises to do at home.

Writing this, I’m back to being in good form. I’m currently in a new cycle of heavier weights and I’m making a ton of progress. I’m beginning to feel confident with my body again which is a wonderful way to end the year.

But wellness is about more than strength

Feeling strong makes me feel good, and strength training has helped me massively with improving my self-image and confidence, as well as the obvious physical benefits you get with increased muscle mass. But it’s not everything. Wellness is more holistic and includes all areas of life.

I’ve had periods of feeling good and strong in my body but still anxious and miserable in other areas of life. Especially this autumn I’ve felt very low at times without being able to explain why. Lots of it has to do with career – I haven’t been able to make my new career take off, because of neverending technical problems (now solved) with my projects, but also because of self-doubt, comparison and perfectionism.

During November when I felt exhausted and almost burnt out, I started realising I had to be kinder to myself, that I can’t work or think about business all the time, that it’s ok to take time off and do things just because I enjoy doing them. I also started learning that when it comes to freelancing and business, you just need to put yourself out there, that NO ONE ever feels ready.

Interestingly, I recently was asked to get involved in a very interesting project that if all goes well may lead to a completely new career path opening. I will cover this in my end-of-year recap later but it’s a fun and inspiring project that gives a lot of hope, and makes me realise that I may have more to offer than I thought using certain interests and skills that I’ve mostly seen as personal hobbies.

What I’ve learned and how to move forward

Nutrition is key

Lifting heavier weights means I need to eat more than usual. One of my theories behind some of my niggles has been that I didn’t eat enough during heavier lifting programs. A few weeks ago we discussed it in the gym and in addition to eating more carbs, my trainer suggested I’d add more protein too. I already ate lots of protein, did I need to eat more? Probably yes, since I get pains and aches. And as a woman of a certain age who not only wants to maintain muscle mass but also build more, a high protein diet is essential. So I’ve upped my targets with protein and I’m working on getting more carbs too, at least during periods of heavier lifting.

Emotional self-care and what I’m learning

When I feel strong I feel good, and this also helps the emotional wellness. But there’s a lot more to work on. Even with great ambitions when entering my 50s and the decision to rock the second half of life, I’m still notorious for negative self-talk and getting myself down into bad rabbit holes, and I’m too old for this sh**. Here are some points I’ll work on going forward – much of it has to do with ditching perfectionism and learning that I’m enough.

• The brain needs rest just like the body after a workout – it’s ok to just enjoy life sometimes and I don’t have to be productive all the time
• Creating just for the sake of enjoyment is important
• It’s ok to show up and put my work out there even if it’s not perfect (and being passionate about something and willing to continue learning goes a long way)
• Remember that everyone in the creative sphere has imposter syndrome
• I need to stop trying to fit in (whatever that even means) and again, learn to just enjoy life. This is work in progress.
• It’s ok to just be myself
• I can’t fix all problems and I have to accept that
• Regarding health anxiety – learn that I’m already doing more for my health than most people, and the rest is probably (mostly) out of my control.

Summary

Looking back, 2025 offered a lot of ups and downs. I’ll remember the good things and will take the bad things as something to learn from. Physical fitness IS on track, and I’ll continue the good work. Even with more of a maintenance training program much of this year, it seems like consistency makes a difference!

Before I started strength training, I had different ideas of what wellness meant. Being healthy of course, living a good life, perhaps being able to travel and do fun things, having a social life and so on. Then after I became passionate about fitness, everything changed. My values and perception of what “a good life” means, changed. Now I want to be strong and challenge myself because of the “what ifs”, which in this case means “What happens if I keep pushing myself? How far can I get? How strong can I get? What difference will that make? What will it enable me to do?”

My husband has had a similar transformation during these years, has lost 15+ kgs and got into running and cycling.

This year we started exploring the world of hiking. In the past I wouldn’t see myself ever walking down a steep trail on the side of a mountain, but stronger legs (and mind) can take you to new places. I intend to keep building strength and walking distances, make myself ready for longer hikes, and will get back on the indoor bike soon for some cardio training. My husband recently ran his third marathon and is interested in trying ultra-running. This is what now gives us quality of life, and my own idea of wellness reimagined.

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This post is linked to the (last) Wellness Reimagined link-up, hosted by these lovely ladies:

• Debbie Harris from Deb’s world
• Jennifer Jones from The Retirement Phase
• Joanne Tracey from And Anyways
• Sue Loncaric from Women Over 50 Living Well
• Donna Connolly from Retirement Reflections