2026 Becoming A Healthier Me
A Wake-Up Call: Choosing Health, Hope and a New Chapter
By Debbie Crouch
January 2026
Episode 1: Choosing Health at 60+: My Wake-Up Call
As 2025 drew to a close, I experienced what I can only describe as a real wake-up call.
Over time, several things had been quietly building up — until I could no longer ignore them. A diagnosis of type 2 diabetes. Navigating menopause and its many stages. Weight that simply would not shift, no matter what I tried. Clothes no longer fitting comfortably, my size creeping into a place I didn’t like and felt restricted by — not just physically, but emotionally too.
I had to face a difficult truth: I comfort eat. Food had slowly become emotional support during times of stress, grief and overwhelm.
For a long time, I was juggling too much all at once — building a business, managing mental health challenges, supporting family, and grieving the loss of elderly loved ones while watching dementia gradually take parts of them away. Alongside this were other family life issues that required emotional energy I didn’t always have.
Somewhere in the middle of all of that, I paused.
For the first time in a long while, I felt in a place where I could begin to make changes — not driven by guilt, shame or pressure, but from a place of care.
Turning 60+ has made me reflect deeply on the future.
How many healthy, active years do I have left?
And how do I want to live them?
The answer felt very clear: as well as I possibly can.
I live with rheumatoid arthritis, which affects my back and hips and has led to muscular issues in my arms. My mobility had declined more than I wanted to admit. Stairs became difficult — I often relied on lifts. Getting off the toilet or into the car was painful. Everyday movements that many people take for granted had become small but exhausting battles.
Even the things I love most were becoming restricted.
Walking in nature. Spending time outdoors. Being active in simple, joyful ways.
I could still walk on flat ground and manage decent step counts, but I found myself constantly assessing routes — How far is it? Are there inclines? Are there steps? How long will I cope before the pain starts? Gradually, the walks became shorter, slower, harder. What once felt freeing was starting to feel limiting.
And that’s when I realised I had a choice.
I could do nothing — and slowly watch myself fade away.
Or I could focus on losing weight and see how that change might improve my health, mobility and overall wellbeing.
This blog is me choosing the second option.
2025 – An Honest Snapshot
I’m sharing this journey partly as a record for myself — something I can look back on with pride, to remind myself where I started and how far I’ve come. I want this to be honest and open, without shame or perfection. It’s also a way for me to stay accountable.
But if my story helps or encourages even one other person, then sharing it will be worth it.
Looking back, I think often about 2018. After getting married, I was looking my best and feeling fantastic — confident, comfortable in my clothes, more mobile, more at ease in myself. That version of me matters, not because of how she looked, but because of how she felt. That’s what I want again.
I’ll be sharing a small gallery from that time — moments where I felt strong, happy and well — not as pressure, but as inspiration.
Life can be incredibly challenging as we age, especially as women. Menopause and its side effects — brain fog, hot sweats, low libido, aches, fatigue and so much more — aren’t always talked about openly. Many things you simply don’t understand until you’re living through them yourself.
This isn’t about chasing youth or unrealistic expectations.
It’s about quality of life.
It’s about being able to walk outdoors without fear of pain.
To move with more ease.
To feel confident in my body again.
To enjoy the years ahead with more comfort, freedom and self-respect.
So here’s to a new year.
A new start.
And a commitment to my health, my wellbeing — and myself. 💛
To follow my journey: 2026, becoming a healthier me
January 2026
By January, I was one stone lighter and down a dress size. More importantly, I felt optimistic, revived, and hopeful about what lies ahead.
February 2026
By the end of February, I am now 1 stone 7lbs lighter and down two dress sizes — from a 22 to an 18. My clothes are starting to feel big, my pain levels are becoming more manageable, and for the first time in a long while, I’m beginning to feel healthier too. It’s definitely time to clear out my wardrobe and buy smaller sizes — and the thrill of that feels amazing.
March 2026
On a recent trip to Wales, I visited one of my favourite little shops in the wonderfully named village of Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch. While browsing, I found a beautiful winter coat and, to my absolute delight, it was a size 18. I can’t quite explain the joy I felt in that moment. The last time I bought a new coat, I had to visit an outdoor wear shop and the only one that fitted was a men’s XXL. So this moment felt like a real milestone and a quiet celebration of progress. Sometimes it’s the small, everyday victories that remind us how far we’ve come, and this was definitely one of those moments worth celebrating. 💛
A Healthier Me: It’s the Little Things 💛
Sometimes, the biggest milestones on a health journey aren’t the loud, dramatic ones — they’re the quiet, unexpected moments that catch you by surprise.
This Mother’s Day, my daughter gave me a lovely gift: a set of beautifully designed socks — bright, cheerful, full of personality. The kind of gift that makes you smile before you’ve even put them on.
For years, I’d worn soft-top socks designed for people with diabetes. They were what I needed at the time — comfortable, gentle, and practical. I never really questioned it; they were just part of everyday life.
But something has changed.
After losing 1 stone 9lbs, I noticed a small but powerful difference. When I put on my new socks, they fit perfectly. No tightness, no discomfort — just a simple, comfortable fit. In fact, when I went back to my usual soft-top socks, they suddenly felt loose and roomy.
And in that moment, it hit me.
This is progress.
Not just the number on the scales, but a real, physical reminder that things are shifting. That my body is changing. That the effort, the small steps, the consistency — it’s all adding up.
It might seem like a tiny thing… a pair of socks.
But to me, it felt like a quiet celebration.
A reminder that transformation doesn’t always shout — sometimes it whispers.
And those whispers matter.
Because a healthier me isn’t just about big goals. It’s about noticing the little wins, embracing them, and allowing yourself to feel proud.
Today, it’s socks.
Tomorrow, who knows?
But I’ll take this moment — bright, cheerful, and full of hope — and keep moving forward. ✨
April 2026
This moment captures more than just a photo—it celebrates a powerful personal achievement. Losing 2 stone is not just about numbers on a scale, but about commitment, resilience, and choosing yourself every single day.
Seeing that amount of weight represented visually really brings home the dedication it takes, and I feel proud of how far I’ve come.
It’s been a journey of small, consistent steps, learning to care for my body with kindness, and recognising my own strength.
Standing here, surrounded by colour and life, feels like the perfect reflection of this transformation—brighter, lighter, and full of possibility.
May 2026
For the first time in five years, I can finally wear my engagement ring again — and I feel just as happy as the day I received it. Over the years, weight gain meant my ring no longer fitted, but I was determined not to have it altered. Instead, I made a promise to myself that one day I would wear it again when I reached a healthier place in my journey. Today, I slipped it onto my finger, and seeing it sparkling there once more filled my heart with pure joy and pride. It reminded me that small personal goals can hold such deep meaning, and that determination, patience, and self-belief really do pay off.
