The Magic of the In-Between: A Gentle Health Audit for 2026
We are currently in my favorite week of the year, that liminal space between Christmas and New Year’s. While the wellness world screams 'detox' and 'resolutions,' I believe this is the perfect time for a gentle health audit. Before I start my new job in January, I’m pausing to reflect on metabolic health, energy, and sustainable habits, without the diet culture pressure.
Usually, the world screams "New Year, New You" right now. But standing on the precipice of a new professional chapter, I don’t feel the need to reinvent myself. I feel the need to ground myself. Before the alarm clocks and new routines kick in, I want to honor the year that just passed, not with a spreadsheet of metrics, but with a gentle health audit.
A Gentle Health Audit of 2025
Instead of focusing on numbers or PRs, I asked myself three simple questions about how I lived in my body this year.
1. When did I feel most energized? It wasn’t necessarily during the big milestones. It was the micro-moments.
- The Feeling: A quick dip in the water after a hot summer run.
- The Memory: Riding my bike to daycare with my toddler in tow.
- The Lesson: Energy often comes from play, not just "productivity."
2. How did I speak to my body during stressful weeks? This is still a work in progress. But this year, I started to be gentler. When chaos hit, instead of forcing my body to perform, I tried to appreciate the moment as it was. I’m learning that "health" isn't just what we eat; it's how we talk to ourselves when things get hard.
3. What is one "small win" I stopped celebrating? Hitting 8,000 steps almost every day. In the fitness world, 8k can sound "average." But I work from home. I have a toddler who is fast (but not that fast). On rest days, or sick days, or busy work days, hitting those steps took intention. It was unsexy consistency, and I’m realizing that’s actually the biggest win of all.
The Rose & The Thorn:
I picked up this idea from a dear friend at a dinner party, and I have started to reflect on it almost every week since then. It’s a simple way to honor the duality of life, the beautiful and the prickly.
Vulnerable Moments
Professionally, this year held a moment that stopped me in my tracks. I’ve been coaching a client who has endured 8+ rounds of IVF. Hearing her story, how treatment impacted every routine and corner of her life, was often disheartening. But then she sent me a note: She is pregnant. She’s more than halfway through now. Holding space for her journey reminded me why I do this work. It’s never just about "nutrition"; it’s about supporting life.
On a personal note, I hit 100 subscribers for this newsletter. I’ll be honest: I hate self-promotion. It feels awkward. But seeing that these topics resonate with you makes me so happy. I’m not exactly where I want to be yet, but I’m learning to love the process of growing this community. (If you enjoy these emails, I would it if you'd share them! I have a few new ideas for 2026 lined up. )
My Physical Win: The Hills of San Francisco This year, I ran my second postpartum sub-3:30 marathon. On paper, the time might look similar to my previous races, but this one felt like a much bigger victory. The reason? The hills. While I love hiking and uphill skiing, when I have running shoes on, I usually prefer the fast, downhill sections. Choosing a hilly course in San Francisco added a huge mental and physical challenge on top of the distance. Conquering those climbs, when my body wanted the easy way down, reminded me that I am capable of doing hard things, even the ones I don't naturally gravitate toward.
Looking Ahead: My Theme for 2026 I’m skipping the resolutions. With a new job and a toddler, I don't need more "rules." I need an anchor.
My word for 2026 is PRESENCE. I want to bring presence to the new work hours, my running, and family time, being fully there for each, one at a time."
What is your word? Reply and let me know, I read every note.
And as we step into 2026, remember that you don't have to figure out your health rhythm alone. If you are looking for a partner to help you navigate metabolic health or simply need a gentle nudge in the right direction, I am just an email or text message away.
Whether you are looking for 1:1 coaching support or a space to learn, I’d love to help you build a sustainable routine without the crash diets. You can reply directly to this email to chat about working together.
Here’s to a gentle, energized 2026.
xx Luise