Is it 2025 already? Can you believe it? 2024 flew by in the blink of an eye. I hope you're all enjoying the festivities. Just lounging on the sofa with a bucket of popcorn on your lap watching Netflix counts. Being tormented in a family dinner with a fake smile plastered on your face still counts, too. It's also the most challenging time of the year for your digestive system, isn't it? I'm definitely indulging a bit, and that's totally okay, too.

I haven't been active on Journaly this year, but those who have known me for a while are aware of my fitness journey this year, and it has been tremendously successful. Did you know that losing 10 pounds (4.5kg) of body weight can relieve your poor knees from 40 pounds (18kg) of pressure? In 2024, my knees have been freed from nearly 100 pounds (45 kg) of pressure, and I can almost hear them singing a "Thank you, Lariza, for doing this for us, la la la la la, even though you’re the one who put us through so much in the first place, la la la la la" song with such joyous energy. You're very welcome.

I'm currently on a workout break. I usually take a week off every three months, and there are practical reasons for this. However, this time, I decided to extend my rest week to two weeks. I sincerely want to avoid burning out from keeping up with my workout routine during the chaotic Christmas and New Year weeks. Also, I’m curious to see how my body responds to a longer break with a higher-than-usual food intake (like eating a whole chocolate Panettone in three days😋). That said, I’m still maintaining 5,000 steps a day and doing occasional stretch sessions during the break.

2025 won’t be as easy from a fitness perspective. The last few pounds (of fat, mind you) I want to shed will be a much harder endeavor, as my body will resist more and fight tooth and nail to hold onto what's left. But I'm confident I can do this in the long run. My goal next year is to keep doing what I've been doing and enjoy the journey.

Happy New Year, everyone!

Thanks for reading✨