My 365 Day Wellness Experiment

I am beginning to feel a bit like a broken record over here, and I am sure most of you are getting a little over it, but hear me out. We live in a world where we are constantly racing from one thing to the next. Work, kids, significant others, laundry, meals, cleaning, appointments, grocery runs. The endless loop of doing. And somewhere in all of that, especially as women, most of us put ourselves last.

Sit with that for a moment. We put our needs last. What the actual?!

I have written before that it can feel selfish to put your own needs ahead of your children, spouse, friends, or coworkers. But if you are depleted, stretched thin, and full of quiet resentment, how do you think that energy carries into the rest of your life? It does.

When I left my job in Montecito, I made a simple deal with myself. I would give myself the same amount of time I used to spend commuting. Forty five minutes to an hour and a half…every single day…just for me. Scrolling or walking or talking to a friend or reading or online shopping or whatever I wanted.

After about six months of floating through my mornings after school drop off, I sat myself down for a real check in. I asked myself what I genuinely needed, not what sounded good or easy, but what my body and mind were asking for. The answer was clear. I wanted to get stronger. I wanted movement to be a commitment, not a maybe. I love pilates and long walks or hikes. I had been strength training twice a week (and still do..thank you Liz for kicking my ass), but I wanted to feel more long and lean and grounded.

When I signed up with Melissa Wood Health in May of 2024, I only dabbled with a couple classes each week. So I made another deal with myself. One class of MWH every day for the year of 2025!

The year started off rocky because I was completely knocked out by the flu and missed a full week, but once I was on the mend I started right back up. And the beauty of the commitment was in its flexibility. Some days it was a five minute arm or ab series before an early flight. Some days it was a forty minute class when I felt energized. I followed her weekly schedule most of the time but made adjustments if I was sore from strength training, on my cycle, or recovering from long night out. And yes, even after my colonoscopy. TMI, but important to say because my grandma died of colon cancer, and getting screened matters.

I challenged myself to step out of my excuses, to show up, and to stay consistent. And here is what I learned from a year of daily movement. My body loves it. My mind needs it. I got stronger. I feel taller and more toned. I feel proud of myself. And as I approach the tail end of my forties, I deserve that. I am not letting perimenopause be the reason I stop taking care of myself. And another thing…I want to keep wearing a bikini!

Do I still have cellulite? Yes. Could I add more cardio? Yes. But feeling strong has changed the way I relate to myself. I have become more intuitive of what my body needs. After struggling with body image for most of my life, after decades of “if only my tummy were flatter” or “if only my arms were more toned” or “if only my hips looked different,” after the fad diets and the comparison and the shame, something shifted this past year. Movement softened the voice in my head. It helped me see myself with more grace. It helped me redirect my energy toward actual health instead of punishment.

What I know for sure is this. We have the power to shift our habits in ways that support us. You do not need an expensive gym membership. You do not need a personal chef. Walks are free. Sitting with yourself is uncomfortable but doable. Making space for your wellbeing does not have to be dramatic to be life changing.

Take a close look at your relationship with yourself. Notice the excuses. Notice the scrolling. Notice the habits that drain instead of nourish you. Small shifts make big change.

We may be over a month into 2026 but I encourage you to choose one thing this year that you want to commit to. Something honest. Something grounding. Something that makes you feel more alive in your own skin. And then go for it. You deserve that much.

I am here to remind you, it’s never too late to take care of your health and well-being.

If you want to feel good, feel motivated, and make your own changes, use my code EMILY5 when you sign up for Melissa Wood Health. Your first month is just $5, plus a free 7-day trial.