Reflections on 2024

Looking back over an entire year should take longer than it does but usually we have this recency bias that keeps us looking at just the last few weeks. We use that as the gauge for how the entire year went but when you zoom out, you see the ups and downs, the weeks where nothing seemed to go right and the other weeks where you are top of the world. That’s a much better view because really you can’t just reflect on 365 days easily.

I think for me the main focus of the year would be my health and the health of my parents. Those two subjects are seemingly in my mind over and over again. It started off much differently, just a normal year, just the same sort of things. I started the year in the gym and kept at it. I didn’t really do much else when it comes to things for my health. I walked, I lifted but didn’t think about nutrition. I mean I gave it some thoughts here and there but nothing consistent and my body showed that. I didn’t look like someone who went to the gym daily. So in July I started working with a coach. It wasn’t something I thought much about before it happened but it’s something which has changed my life. I went from someone not thinking about macros and nutrition to someone who still weighs his breakfasts and lunch, someone who brings his packed lunch with weighed food to work and just goes about his business. I still went to the gym but my body responded differently. I lost weight and pant sizes. This is where I’m starting the new year and it’s one I only want to continue and work harder and see where I end up a year from now.

In parallel the health of my parents became more of an issue. My dad had his second knee replacement in July. Staying with them during that time was a catalyst for my changes as well. But the biggest change was later in November when my mom broke her hip. All the possible issues come to a head when there is something like this happening. It’s still a work in progress but it gives me pause, it gives me some anxiety going into this new year but I know there is only so much within my control, those have to be my focus for this new year. The focus on what’s in my control is all that matters. If I do that, this time next year, I’ll be exactly where I need to be.