The start of 2024 was a busy one. The first half was full of socializing—lots of laughs, drinks, and food. My immune system was a bit wonky, but overall, things were going well. Then, unexpectedly, life threw some changes my way. Looking back, they were probably for the best, but that didn’t make them any less difficult to handle.

With my already shaky immune system, I started struggling to shrug off even the smallest sniffles. And then, I got swine flu! Yep, like a Covid flashback but worse. I’d never been that sick before—suddenly, antibiotics became my daily vitamins.

Through all of this, my exercise routine completely disappeared, and while I tried to eat healthily, I had no consistent structure.

Despite everything, we had a great social life. Between beers at the golf club and evenings with friends, life was good. But in hindsight, I doubt this helped my immune system or my fitness goals.

The funny thing about weight is how sneaky it can be. One minute you’re fine, then suddenly you step on the scale, have a mini heart attack, and wonder how it all spiraled so quickly. Even though I knew how I got there, I was still shocked by how fast things had escalated.

In August, I set myself the challenge of losing 10kg by the end of September. The first week went well, but then I fell off the wagon (thanks to beers at the golf club, nights out with friends, and unhealthy eating). I tried again in September, only to fall off again. And again. And again.

This is when the toxic self-talk really started. Every Monday morning, I’d be so angry with myself—thinking about what I’d eaten, how I looked, and my lack of self-discipline. But I couldn’t seem to change; it was a rinse-and-repeat cycle.

One morning, I sat down and thought, How am I going to do this? (I even asked ChatGPT!). I realized I couldn’t do it alone, and finding an accountability buddy at the same stage as me was tough. That’s when the idea for this blog hit me: why not get everyone to hold me accountable and work towards the very attainable goal of being Fit by Forty?

So, despite my mini heart attacks on the scale, 2024 wasn’t such a bad year. It was a year of learning, adapting, and starting over. And the good news? It only takes 21 days to form a habit, and I have three months left to turn things around.

So, what’s the plan?

This isn’t just about health and fitness; it’s about making small, sustainable changes that actually stick. I’m all about finding balance—yes, even if that means a few beers now and then. But I want to be consistent, and I’m going to need you to help keep me on track!

As women, we know things get tougher as we approach forty. It’s way too easy to gain weight and way harder to lose it. Changing routines? Forget about it. And don’t even get me started on hot flashes (is this normal at 39?). We’re all dealing with it, but nobody seems to talk about it. We’ve been convinced we’re alone, but we’re so clearly not.

That’s where this blog comes in. Let’s use it as a space to open up, share our wins, our struggles, and laugh at the hilarious failures that come with trying to figure it all out. I’m here to cheer you on, and I hope you’ll do the same for me.

So, tell me—what’s been your biggest challenge as you get closer to 40? What are you doing to feel your best? Let’s keep each other motivated and make this road to forty fun and fit!