The Weigh-In: A Journey to Health in 2025

#28

Courtesy of AI

Dear Readers,

The festive season this past December was a treasure, filled with family gatherings, indulgent meals, and the kind of joy that only comes once a year. But as much as I savored every moment, I couldn’t ignore the extra weight that had crept in, making me feel sluggish.

Before the holidays, I’d been exercising, not to become a “fit bunny” or a buff gym-goer, but to stay healthy, to carry my weight without complaining about physical limits. My goal was practical: to be able to carry my weight, to move without pain, and to enjoy life’s activities without physical constraints, like playing with my nephews or gardening on weekends.

However, in my eagerness to get back into shape, I pushed myself too hard. The excessive exercises I was doing likely triggered a flare-up of pain in my right leg, which has been a problem since an accident I had years ago. That accident, a car crash during my early twenties, left me with an injury to my right leg that still causes me pain, especially in the winter months. This year, my over-exercising seemed to have exacerbated that pain, bringing it back with a vengeance. The cold weather made each step a struggle, and simple tasks like walking to work became painful reminders of my body’s limits. The pain was intense, forcing me to stop running and jogging altogether. I gave up, letting the pain be my excuse to abandon my fitness routine, and I’ll admit, it felt like a defeat.

Each winter, as the temperature drops, the old injury reminds me of its presence with renewed vigor. It’s a struggle I face annually, a quiet battle against the ache that creeps in with the frost. This year, it was particularly tough, and I found myself leaning on it as a crutch, avoiding the effort to push through.

But as the new year dawned, mid-January brought a reckoning. I thought about the unmanaged weight and a deeper wish, to shape a body I’m satisfied with, not for looks, but for life. My grandmother’s words echoed in my mind, a memory from a sunny afternoon years ago when she shared her wisdom, “The best way to enjoy your golden years is to be healthy now. Don’t wait until your body forces you, do it while you can.” So, this year, I’m making health my priority, from the inside out, starting with small steps like stretching daily and consulting a physical therapist to manage my injury.

Family time is precious, and I wouldn’t trade those festive moments for anything, the laughter, the shared meals, the warmth of being together. But let’s not forget who we are outside that circle. As much as I love those gatherings, I’m on my own most of the time, or rather, I’m with myself. We all are, in a way, facing our bodies, our challenges, in the quiet hours between the celebrations. And it’s in those moments that I’ve realized something else that lingers in my mind, a phrase I once heard from a mentor: “You don’t let things be, you must manage them.” Life unfolds at its own will, accidents happen, winters bite, and enjoyment can tip the scales. But we can’t let ourselves go in the name of it all.

My injury isn’t just a setback anymore, it’s motivation. Yes, I could’ve done more to heal it back then, perhaps with regular physiotherapy or gentler exercises, and maybe I leaned on it too long as a crutch. But now, I’m choosing to manage it, to move forward. This isn’t about perfection or drastic change. It’s about steady steps, listening to my body now so it can carry me, pain-free, into the years ahead. .

So, I invite you to join me. Cherish the family moments, but don’t lose sight of yourself. Manage what you can, while you can. Let’s heal, move, and thrive together, yet distinctly our own. Let’s take charge of our health, learn from our setbacks, and move forward with determination. Together, we can make 2025 a year of transformation and well being.

Here’s to a healthier 2025

Khanya

---

Incase You Missed It:

Quick Reminder:

If you’re enjoying the newsletter, please share it with a friend or on social media. Your support means the world!