2026 Fitness Goals: Updates & Discussion

(Content note: If things like macro tracking or any weight-related discussion is triggering or annoying to you please feel skip this post! I want to share what’s on my mind but I know this content is not everyone’s cup of tea.)

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One of my 2026 goals was something like “Get in great shape.” That is pretty vague, but in my mind it basically translates to “care for my body in an intentional way to improve my body composition.” WITHIN REASON, to be clear — I am not really willing to go to extreme measures, so I’m not expecting to reach any extreme levels of outcome here!

I just wanted to aim to feel as good as I can in my body (from a superficial perspective, from a health perspective, AND from an actual ‘how I feel’ perspective) as I can at age 45 while also maintaining a lifestyle I still enjoy.

This does also somewhat relate to my heart stuff. I know I can’t do intense cardio anymore, and that’s never going to change. I continue to be so grateful to have had my 2020 adventures in Beachbody (and zero running) because it proved to me that going from 50+ miles per week to 0 did not have to mean a) weight gain b) worsening body composition c) the end of the world (well that last part is not really fitness related, but it’s true, as we have now seen). Meaning: it’s REALLY FORTUNATE for me that I previously spent time NOT running and still feeling pretty great, at least physically (I mean, it was 2020).

After I was initially diagnosed I didn’t do much of anything for a couple of months, but with the okay of the cardiologist I eventually added back yoga, walking, and then strength training. I started with Peloton strength (using the HCOTF calendar and trying some of the splits) but towards the end of 2025 I got more into Caroline Girvan. I restarted her Iron Series (in order to track my weights/reps consistently!) in January and am now on round 2.

I’ve also been around the block enough to know that I needed to be intentional about my nutrition since my overall energy expenditure/need is significantly lower than it used to be (if I had to guess based on Apple Watch data, by something like 20-25%). At first, this was not a problem because I think my body was in total shock and I truly did not have any normal hunger for about 2 months. During that time, I lost close to 10 lb which for me was definitely too much. Slowly though, I got back into normal life, started strength training and walking more consistently, was eating normally again, and ended up a tiny bit (let’s just say like, 2-3 lb, nothing crazy — but I didn’t love how my clothes were fitting) above what I would consider my comfortable range. This wasn’t terribly distressing in and of itself, but I really didn’t really want that trend to continue.

SO. As I was setting my 2026 goals I included the aforementioned “get in great shape” goal, and decided to try tracking my intake with some degree of quantification. I had previously been in the habit of just writing what I ate (qualitatively only) in my planner but never really paid attention to numbers or specifics. I decided I would start by looking at protein and aiming for 20-30g per meal (I was listening to some helpful podcasts that helped me come up with this and generally have been great info: Empowered Radio + UnF*ck Your Fitness). And then in January I decided to give CalAI a try — it’s a calorie/macro-tracking app kind of like MFP, but in addition to entering foods the traditional way you can also take a picture and it will give you (imperfect but reasonable) estimates.

I had seen this app at work – our dietician showed it to me as a potential tool for patients (counting carbohydrates for accurate insulin dosing is a total pain and most of our T1D patients do it every day). So I decided to try it out. I kind of worried it might make me too obsessive or crazy but honestly I’ve found it really helpful. It has helped me be more intentional both with really healthy protein-focused meals (I actually really DO love cottage cheese!) AND with splurges (DQ Blizzards and Haagen Dazs, I will not quit you). It has been a gentle reminder that one CAN significantly increase your average weekly intake with one blowout restaurant meal (and sometimes it’s worth it, but also sometimes not). I have not found it to be emotional or crazy-making but instead it’s just . . .data, like my reading tracking or media tracking or screen time or anything else.

(Given how much I like data and tracking all kinds of things from media to habits to screen time, it kind of makes sense that I would enjoy/feel benefit from this, but I KNOW it is not for everyone!).

Anyway, I have been using this for the past ~2.5 months and I’ve found it really helpful. I actually DO think it encourages me to make better choices at times, and I’ve just gotten an insight into my nutrition I didn’t have before (I mean I KNEW oatmeal wasn’t exactly a protein powerhouse on its own but like . . seeing the hard numbers is helpful).

As it stands, I do not feel like I would say I am in perfect shape or anything like that (2026 goal still in progress!), but I am back in the ‘comfortable’ part of my weight range and I feel like my body composition HAS improved for the better a bit! I have no actual data to back this up but I feel like I look a little fitter and stronger, and have been able to increase my weights in the Iron Series workouts I am now repeating. AND this has had fun functional benefits – after recently leveling up to 2.0 in Pilates the classes are more challenging BUT I find it doable, and I am getting close-ish to doing a chin-up.

(I can do one, but I have to jump the tiniest bit which means it doesn’t count.)

(Also A can do like multiple actual perfect pull ups and I am just like WOW. Inspiring!)

I have no affiliation with any of the things I mentioned (CalAI, Caroline Girvan, etc!) but happy to answer questions. I feel like there was a time when it was really looked down upon to talk about (or care about) this stuff, but I also think that pendulum has kind of swung back to a more reasonable place. I personally think it’s okay to spend some time and effort (if desired) to look and feel your best, and this is currently working for me in this stage of life.

So, there you have it! Maybe a pull-up video to come someday (or at least a chin-up one). Wish me luck! (Pull-up tips welcome!)