Just worked on my goals for 2026 so asked ChatGPT to pull out health goals and produce this blog (sorry AI assisted).
There comes a point where health stops being about events, numbers, or labels – and becomes about who you want to be present for.
For me, 2026 is one of those years.
Two daughters getting married. Big family moments. Adventures planned. Work I still care deeply about. And the realisation that none of it works properly unless I look after myself first – physically and mentally.
So this year, I am simplifying things.
Strength First. Everything Else Hangs Off That.
For years, endurance defined me. Ironman, triathlon, long runs, big rides. I loved it – and I do not regret a second of it. But that chapter has done its job.
Now, strength comes first.
Three full-body strength sessions per week – non-negotiable
Simple, repeatable movements
Progress over perfection
To support that, I have just added four new 1kg plates to my home setup, taking my dumbells up to 12kg each, plus the bar. Nothing fancy – just enough extra load to keep things moving in the right direction.
Small additions. Quiet progress.
Daily Habits That Actually Stick
I am leaning heavily into habits that are almost impossible to miss:
Daily press-ups – 5 to 10 minutes, most days
Ankle raises while brushing my teeth (habit stacking at its finest)
Short mobility work built into my morning routine
Nothing heroic. Just consistent.
Cardio With a Purpose (Not an Identity)
Cardio still matters – but it supports strength now, not the other way around.
Running and cycling stay because I enjoy them and because they keep my VO2 max honest. Garmin has me down for a threshold run this afternoon, and I will happily take the advice.
What has changed is the why:
Running for health, not ego
Cycling for adventure, not metrics
Bikepacking trips in 2026 will be part of the plan – both on the Brompton and on the gravel bike. Training with a story attached always works better.
The Numbers That Matter (and the Ones I Will Track)
If I am serious about this, I need to measure what matters – calmly, not obsessively.
So each month I will track:
Weight
Waist
Chest
Biceps
Not daily. Not emotionally. Just enough to see trends and make sensible adjustments.
The goal is simple:
Leaner
Stronger
More capable
Better energy
Why This Matters:
By May 2026, I want to be standing at my daughter’s wedding feeling:
Fit
Comfortable in my body
Confident in how I look
Proud of the work I have put in
Not perfect. Just well.
Health, for me, is the foundation. When that is right, everything else – work, family, adventure – becomes easier, lighter, and more enjoyable.
This is not about chasing a past version of myself.
It is about building the next one – deliberately.
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