Although some days it feels like 2026 has just begun, the reality is that we have entered the last quarter of this year. Knowing that less than 12 weeks remain before a new year begins can make us hyper-focus on the wellness goals we set 10 months ago, particularly those on which little to no progress has been made in a while.
But healthy living is never about perfection. Rather than dwelling on the areas in which you have perhaps fallen short, it is much more beneficial from a holistic health perspective to start drafting a win list of what you have accomplished from January to the present day. If you need some inspiration on what to include, use these suggestions as a starting point:
- Extra movement time. Even squeezing in a second or third short walk of the day or doing 5 to 10 minutes of stretching in the morning can have a positive impact on your mood and energy levels.
- New hobbies. Consider starting a volunteer gig, attending a crafting class (in person or online) or organizing a weekly meetup to play chess, euchre or other multiplayer games.
- Holistic self-care. Have your emotional and mental health received as much attention as your physical wellness goals? Seeing a therapist, journaling and meditating are examples of actions that can help minimize stress and mood swings.
- Less screen time. Decrease the amount of time spent watching TV, surfing the internet or scrolling through social media.
- Better sleep. If you feel consistently fatigued, consider an earlier bedtime or upgrading your bedding to improve sleep quality.
- Meal planning. Drafting weekly menus is definitely worth trying if you are still working on reaching a target weight. Also be sure to stay adequately hydrated each day! It’s not uncommon to misinterpret thirst as hunger.
- Member mojo. Get the most out of your membership by regularly showing up for chapter meetings; reading TOPS News and monthly blogs; or resharing content from the main TOPS Facebook or YouTube channel.
An additional side note: I think brainstorming win lists could be an engaging activity for chapter members to complete together during a future meeting between now and the end of December. Encourage each other to finish the year on a positive note by celebrating what we have accomplished as individuals and a community. And let’s kick off by sharing in the comments below what we’re feeling optimistic about this month so far!
Personally, I am falling in love with fall all over again thanks to the beauty of the leaves changing all around me. Remember: October can be outstanding when fully rooted in the present!
~Rachel
