My 2026 Strength Goal: A Spring Check-In on Progress, Energy & Real Life
My little dude pretending to be a dead possum after a spring game of sharks and minows
The days are getting longer, and the weather is staying true to its erratic spring nature—insisting I never fully put away my seasonal wardrobe because, apparently, I need all the clothes, all the time. Oh, you’re hot? Don’t worry, next week it will be cold again.
This winter and spring, I’ve been leaning into my stay-at-home mom era. I’m shifting my mindset from one of fear about this phase to one of expansion, intuition, and light creative and intellectual threads. And it feels really good.
My strength goal of getting 26% stronger in 2026 is off to a great start. In fact, I’m starting to wonder what I was doing in previous strength routines, because I’m meeting my goals faster than I anticipated. And that feels really good, too.
What’s Been Working
My leg press weight is already at 155 pounds (from 130 at start of year)! Only ten pounds to goal!
My schedule feels solid—structured, yet flexible and doable. I plan for two full body strength workouts per week, based on what my schedule allows. I alternate those days with hiking, yoga, and barre and when the kids have a full week of school, I often get a bonus long hike in.
Weekends are for family movement games, hikes, or a barre class.
Lately, I’ve been working out at home, at Kennedy Fitness Center SLO, hiking South Hills and Bishop Peak, and taking the Barre + Stretch class at Core Dance.
I’m hesitant to say this out loud, lest I jinx it, but it’s felt easier to increase my weights than I expected. Even when I take time off for spring break or family needs, I come back feeling stronger every time.
One thing that’s different this year: I’m not trying to intermittent fast. I’m better fueled—and I think that’s making a real difference.
What’s Been Hard
The hardest part of my strength goal so far has been letting go of:
Letting go is easier said than done, am I right?
Using body weight and belly size as my main indicators of health
Trying to control my schedule and priorities
Navigating bad moods and fatigue
Even though I can see that I’m getting stronger—despite sick kids, schedule changes, and general life chaos—these thoughts still linger. They still frustrate me sometimes.
What Strength Means Right Now
While I like having numbers to anchor my goals, I’m realizing that I feel most confident when my body simply feels strong and refreshed from regular movement.
I’m proud of myself for showing up—and for allowing ease when I cannot.
I’m getting stronger even with missed days and imperfect weeks. My Type A brain truly didn’t think that was possible. I used to believe this scatterbrained, full-life season meant I couldn’t really make progress.
But I can. I am. And “enough” is actually enough.
Another day, another hike
Last week, I didn’t feel great for several days—part perimenopause, part sleep dysregulation. Most days I just showed up and did the minimum. One day, I avoided working out all day long, until finally I put on my favorite music and started at the very last possible minute.
Of course, I felt better after.
Small Shifts Moving Forward
Light weights and fun music light me up at barre fitness classes
I’m adding some barre-inspired movement back into my strength workouts—I miss it.
And I’m increasing my weights at the start of each month, just a small, steady progression.
Gentle Closing Reflection
I’m not just chasing strength this year. I’m committed to finding new ways to feel healthy and confident in this one body I get in this lifetime.
I’m also letting go of some of the quieter, less helpful messages I absorbed from (wellness) culture—the idea that healthy has to look a certain way. That it has to be controlled, trimmed, or extreme. That my looks shouldn’t change as I age, grow, and evolve.
My grandma Iris was one of the most beautiful women I’ve ever known. She was a safe place for me as a kid and taught me the gift of true presence and love. She was soft and round—and I’m lucky to carry some of that with me.
This picture of my mom and dads wedding circa 1976 makes me so happy. My grandmothers were both such gems and they live on in my heart forever. Iris is in peach and Dolly in mint.
This post is part of my 2026 goal to get 26% stronger—physically, mentally, and in the way I show up for my life.