Hey folks! This is, as usual, the thread to discuss how you’re keeping generally healthy or physically active, but I’ll depart from the usual routine this once to focus on plans for the New Year.

Most of my past health-based resolutions have been either addressed or rolled into “standing orders,” especially walking, biking, and at least semi-regular gym attendance (my resolution this time around has been to pivot decisively to swimming for a couple of months in addition to regular–if reduced–exercise bike time). Observation of elderly relatives over the past week has strengthened my resolve to continue my visits to the gym, as well as growing concentration on light weight-training.

Diet and consumption have been on an uptick, too (health-wise, at least). I’ve been eating light breakfasts more or less regularly now for the past couple of months, and though my drinking spiked last week (due less to the usual family stresses than airport temptations and layover ennui), I still saw a 12 % decline from 2024’s total (itself a 24% decline from 2023’s), which was nice (I have no plans to give up drinking, but I’m delighted I’m not doing nearly as much as I did before the pandemic). Soda’s been a recent avenue of improvement; since I started tracking my ounces, I’ve settled on what looks like two and a half 2-liter bottles a week as an average. I’d like to get it down to only two, but this is a good start given my general habits.

Last but not least, at some point this coming year I really ought to go to the doctor, especially since I’m now overdue for a colonoscopy (hard to believe, but what can you do).

Wishing y’all luck in your health-related endeavors!