2025 has been such a turning point for me in terms of health and fitness. From cancer scares, to hiring a personal trainer and completing my first 10k run, this year has looked VERY different health-wise than any other year previously. Like for a lot of people, getting married was the catalyst for this change. I just wanted to look and feel better for my wedding. But it’s gone far beyond that.
My fitness definitely took a nose dive in my 20’s when I was suffering with my anxiety disorder. But from 2019, when I turned my life back around, health has definitely become a more focal point of my life.
It took a while to get there though. There were years where I was lucky if I hit 3,000 steps in one day and we were eating far too many takeaways each week. And I think hitting my 30’s and getting into a much happier and healthier place in my life mentally and emotionally also helped get the ball rolling for me to put that much effort and time into my physical health as well.
I didn’t quite get to where I wanted by the time my wedding rolled around for various reasons. But I had lost weight, toned up a little and felt the fittest and healthiest I’ve felt – probably in forever.
And seeing that progress, however small, has kept me motivated to continue this journey throughout the remainder of 2025 and into 2026. And for me, it’s not just about pounding away in the gym for hours, it’s much more nuanced and personal in some ways I didn’t expect.
Here are 6 ways I’ve prioritized my health and fitness in 2025:
I’ve started using a personal trainer
This has probably been the biggest change I’ve experienced this year and before this, I honestly never thought I’d want to hire a personal trainer. Turns out, it’s brilliant. I’ve pushed myself SO MUCH more than I ever thought I could because I have my trainer next to me gearing me up and motivating me. He knows what I’m capable of far better than I do!
I’ve learned a lot from him about the body, fitness, exercise and food which I’ve been able to take away and incorporate into my own life without him there. We get on really well, so it’s kinda like training with a mate now, which obviously is another great positive this year.
I’ve changed up my diet a lot
This year I’ve really put a lot of focus on changing up what we eat. Far less frozen and processed foods, more whole foods and more meals that I’m making from scratch (or half from scratch) instead of going for the easy option of a frozen pizza or breaded chicken. I’ve become far more aware of unnecessary ingredients in my food and choosing a healthier option.
Another way I’ve changed up my diet is weighing out my food and looking into my portion sizes. No doubt our portion sizes prior to this were far too big and unnecessary and it really opened my eyes to what my body actually needs. I weigh myself out 40g of rice now for any rice-based dish, which is more than enough. When I didn’t weigh my food, that was probably more like 60-70g. Who needs that much rice!
I’ve started incorporating protein powder into my diet and routine
Everyone knows how important protein is for muscle growth, integrity and repair these days because it’s all we see people talk about on Instagram but prior to this, I never really paid much attention and sort of dismissed it. But turns out, it is actually really important!
Adding more protein into my diet has definitely changed the way I eat (I could not LIVE without my Greek yoghurt in the morning now!) and helped ensure I can limit the muscle aches and fatigue after a good workout.
Protein powder is an excellent resource I’ve found to get that bit extra every day without loads of calories on top. I’m currently using this Naked NutritionWhey Protein and I tend to stick to a more neutral flavour like vanilla, which I went for here, as it gives me more scope of how to use it.
The 3 main ways I use my protein powder daily is:
- In a glass of milk: I use skimmed as it’s always been my favourite and I add one scoop into there and give it a good mix and have this straight after my workout. It doesn’t tend to fill me up which is good, so I’m still hungry for lunch but it just ensures I get that post-workout protein boost.
- A protein smoothie: These are without a doubt my favourite way to get my protein powder in and I have a recipe I always use that I know I’m never going to go wrong with. They’re filling, satisfying and very yummy! You’ll need: 200ml milk, 1 banana, 1 scoop of Whey Protein powder, handful of blueberries and 1tbsp of peanut butter. Occasionally I’ll throw in an apple or some spinach too.
- Yoghurt bowl: This is my go-to option if I haven’t eaten before I workout as they can be quite filling but always yummy and a protein PACKED meal if you use Greek Yoghurt as well as your protein powder. I love added walnut or almonds as well as all the berries I can find and a drizzle of good quality honey.
The size of this protein is going to last me a really long time, which is great as it’s just one less thing to think about and I don’t have to repurchase it on a regular basis.
The Naked Whey Protein power also has no GMO’s, artificial sweeteners or colouring and they don’t use growth hormones on their cows so you can rest assured that you’re not consuming any harsh chemicals either. Which, if you’re invested in your health, should be a priority as well.
I started my 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training
Yoga has been in my life for around 10 years. I started it when I was in the midst of my anxiety disorder and it’s the one thing I’ve kept coming back to over and over again. I quickly realised it was a way to move my body that didn’t trigger my anxiety and actually helped calm me and become more in tune with my body as a whole.
I’ve beenpracticing Yoga at home all these years and over the last couple of years, YTT has been something that’s been in the back of my mind but only really in 2025 was in something I felt like I was finally ready to commit to. So I did! And now I’m in the process of becoming a certified Yoga teacher and I think achieving that goal will mean the world to me.
I’m paying more attention to my body
Exercise has definitely helped me become more in tune with my body. Niggles,aches and pains actually get tended to, rather than ignored. I had an awful sciatica flare-up a month or so ago and instead of pushing through like I usually do, I actually took the time to rest and recover and healed myself a lot quicker.
The beginning of 2025 also started with a bowel cancer scare for me, which made me all too aware of how important it is to NOTICE and come to learn how you feel when you’re functioning well and definitely when something doesn’t feel quite right – like it didn’t with me late last year into January. Luckily everything was okay but it really made me appreciate my own intuition as well as the NHS services we’re so lucky to have.
I’m trying different exercises, sports and classes
And finally, sometimes the easy part is throwing yourself into a new lifestyle or routine like this. The hard part is sticking to it. And what’s made me stick to it is variety and enjoyment. I’m doing exercises I love and I’m trying new things as well. I do a class every Monday night at my gym after work which is 30 minutes, a super good sweat and also a lot of fun.
I’ve started dipping my toe into some Pilates classes which I’m finding a lot of love for and I also tried padel for the first time last month which was brilliant and definitely something I want to try again. That combined with Yoga, running, walking and weight training doesn’t give me time to get bored!
The main thing for me is actually doing these things that I enjoy and find value and joy in. I’m enjoying trying new recipes and throwing together new healthier meals from scratch. I’m enjoying pushing myself in the gym and using weights I never thought I would. I actually go to bed excited to wake up and move my body – which is the most beautiful thing of all!