We’ve come to the end of the fourth and final quarter of 2025. I’ve been doing quarterly recaps for several years by giving you a glimpse into my planner. That’s the place where I keep track of everything. This is my first year designing my own daily planner with the help of Plum Paper. This planner has a To Do List, Schedule, and Notes area. I also have space for daily gratitude, meals, and my workout. 

So, let’s get on with a recap of October, November, and December.

The Highlights

We moved…finally! You’ll recall that we purchased a house at the end of July, but we wanted to do some work on it before we moved in. Well, the move finally happened. As of the first week of November, we were sleeping in our new home. And there we celebrated the holidays and our 25th wedding anniversary.

I finished my continuing education units to maintain my mental health counselor license. 

My annual Planksgiving Challenge happened in November. This seems to be the most popular challenge that I do during the year. 

Ethan and I ran the Brew Ho Ho 5K. I always like to do a holiday race, and it’s even more fun when I can take someone along with me. This was a new one for us, and we really enjoyed it. It was quite cold that morning, but we both survived and brought home age group awards. 

In December, I did a Transformation email series rather than a 5-day challenge. I think I’ll be doing more of these email series in 2026 instead of short challenges. If you have ideas for a series or thoughts about challenges (like them or not), please let me know!

Found on my gratitude list

• Good sleep
• Football
• Scone and latte
• Progress on the house and the move
• Time with family
• Sunshine
• Grocery delivery
• Craft fair
• New freezer
• New running routes
• After-dinner walk
• Anniversary flowers
• Coffee with mom
• Wing night
• ChatGPT
• Yak Trax

Meals

Third quarter and fourth quarter as well, I found myself only using this section for evening meal plans. This helps with my grocery list and making sure that I get protein out of my freezer and into the refrigerator to thaw by the time we need it. Sometimes I use it as a food journal, but I just haven’t felt the need to do it of late. My eating has been fairly automated and mindful, and I haven’t needed to pause and evaluate it.

Workouts

Yoga every day. I do 10-30 minutes each day. It’s such a part of my routine that I don’t mention it often, but the benefits for my spirit, mind, and body are huge. If you haven’t tried yoga, I strongly encourage you to do so. 

Weights 3-4 times a week. Recently, I’ve left my weighted vest at home for short walks but have started wearing it when I lift weights to add a little more intensity to my planks and standing lifts.

I ran a 5K in December. It was cold with a couple of slippery patches on the path, but I had a good race. Ethan joined me which made it even better. He placed first in his age group, and I got second in mine. A holiday race is a must for me every year. 

Cardio – I’m still running every day, even when we got a bunch of snow dumped on us the first week of December. Praise the Lord for my Yak Trax (see gratitude list!). The last time I went for a bike ride was the middle of October. Between the weather and moving, going for a bike ride wasn’t as accessible as an early morning run.

Faith

I follow the Love God Greatly Bible studies. During the fourth quarter, I did From Beginning to Forever and The Savior Who Comes Near.

This year, the Bible App has been a key component of my Faith and Fitness Support and Accountability Community. I find Bible plans in the app that go along with our fitness focus, and we do the plans together. It helps us stay connected to one another and stay in God’s Word. In October, we covered Fear. In November, we did Life Principles to Live By by Charles Stanley. During December, we focused on the Gifts of Advent as well as ending the year by focusing on God’s faithfulness.

What’s next?

Word for the Year – Simple. I considered simplicity and simplify, but in the end it’s just simple. Those versions will play into it because what I’m feeling about the year is to keep things uncomplicated. I started drifting towards this intention as we went through our move that forced us to downsize. While we’ve done it with our physical space, I feel the need to do that with my messaging and my work as well. (More about that below.) Even things like workouts and nutrition will be simplified. As with every word of the year, it will evolve as the weeks and months roll along. But this word is there to keep me on track. When I have a decision to make or an action to take, I can ask myself what the simplest way is to do it. Or, am I keeping it simple or am I complicating something that doesn’t need to be so complicated? The verse that goes with this is 1 Corinthians 16:14: Do everything in love. That might not always be easy, but it’s the simple approach. Am I acting in love? The answer will likely be quite clear.

A new book – I had intended to start work on a new devotional in the fall of 2025, but we moved instead. I believe that I can get it done this year. I’ve already shared the devotions with the women in my Faith and Fitness Support and Accountability Community. They gave me some great feedback, so I’m ready to get serious about making it into a book. The focus is living fit and free. Stay tuned!

A more refined focus – To go along with my 2026 intention of keeping things simple, I’m refining my messaging and how I help women in the coming year. Overall, our goal is always to build a healthy life on a foundation of faith. I believe the surest way to do that is to get a daily dose of Jesus, fresh air, and movement. Doing these things will help you start living consistently, confidently, and free. Keep following along for this type of support on your faith and fitness journey.

Cheers to 2026!

 

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