A quiet few months of reflection and finding my way forward

A Quiet Few Months

I haven’t posted an article since October 19th. It’s fair to say that Move More Outdoors went on the back burner for a while, as did focusing on my fitness and wellness journey, at least from a physical point of view.

Over the past few months I was interviewing for a new job with a company I’d been in conversations with for almost a year. That quickly became my main focus outside of my normal working day. In many ways, I was putting my energy into my mental wellbeing. It was a role I really wanted, with a company whose values and vision I genuinely aligned with.

I got the job and started in December, after a short trip back to the UK to meet my new nephew, which was really lovely. December then became about settling into a new role, meeting the team, the usual festive chaos, and then nine days of overindulgence with family visiting over the holidays.

*Enjoying outdoor fire time with family over the holidays, Haliburton, Ontario, December 2025*

Giving Myself Some Grace

I’m not being hard on myself for this quieter period. The past few months have been an important part of my own journey of self discovery.

I’d been increasingly frustrated in my previous job. I knew it wasn’t the right long term fit, but it was an important bridge that I am very grateful for after losing my job at the end of last year. I truly believe you can learn something from every experience, and sometimes that lesson is simply learning more about yourself and what you need from your work and your environment.

Rather than complaining about being unhappy, I did something about it. I reconnected with a company I respected, went through the interview process, and landed a role that feels like a much better fit. For the first time in a while, I’m not dreading going back to work after the holidays, and that feels like a big shift.

*The start of wintery walks with Tess, Toronto, December 2025*

Why This Feels Harder Than Career Changes

When I look at how I’ve progressed through my career, it hasn’t happened by chance. It’s come from planning, focus, and being willing to make changes. When something hasn’t felt right, I’ve acted on it. When I’ve needed to move forward, I’ve invested in my skills or education. I’ve taken risks and pushed myself outside my comfort zone.

So why have I struggled to apply those same principles to my fitness and wellness journey?

The honest answer is I’m still trying to figure it out.

Why I Started Move More Outdoors

When I started Move More Outdoors back in August, it was something I’d been thinking about for a while. There were two main reasons. The first was to hold myself accountable to getting fitter and moving more in ways I actually enjoy. The second was to share my journey, in the hope it might help someone else who is struggling with similar things.

At the time, I just wanted to move more. I’d become really frustrated with the cycle I’d been stuck in the past couple of years. Train for an event, get fitter and stronger, then drop off once the event was over. It clearly wasn’t working for me.

But after reflecting over the past few months, I don’t think having something to work towards was ever the problem. When I compare it to my work life, I like having goals. I like having a plan. When I don’t, I really struggle to stay motivated.

*Enjoying a training ride in Mont Tremblant prepping for my half ironman, Quebec, July 2024*

Losing Momentum and Losing Trust

At the start of last year, I signed up for the Olympic distance triathlon in Montreal. I’d done a half Ironman the year before and decided endurance wasn’t where I wanted to focus my energy. I wanted to get faster and stronger over shorter distances.

That plan never really got going. Last winter I dealt with recurring sinus issues and chronic laryngitis, and exercise took a back seat. Then we decided to move back to Toronto, so I cancelled the race and told myself I’d try getting fitter without an event, and just enjoy being outside.

The intention was good, but as time went on I really struggled. I found it hard to stay consistent with the kind of training that would actually make me stronger and change my body composition. Somewhere along the way, I lost trust in the process.

*A determined face coming out of the swim during the Triathlon du Quebec, Quebec City, June 2023*

What I’ve Been Learning About My Body

Since moving to Canada in 2020, I have put on quite a bit of weight. I was one of the people who ate and drank their way through Covid and just haven’t been able to shift it since. When I started triathlons in 2023, I trained hard and did a lot of cardio. I got fitter and felt better, but my weight and body composition didn’t really change.

Recently, I’ve been reading and listening to a lot about women’s health as we age, and a few things really stood out when I looked back at how I’d been training.

I focused almost entirely on endurance based cardio, building time and distance rather than intensity. I avoided HIIT, even though it’s something that’s worked well for me in the past.

I barely did any strength training, which I’m now learning is incredibly important for women as we get older.

And I didn’t pay close enough attention to how I was fuelling my body. My metabolism has definitely changed over the past few years.

Coming Back to My Why

Over the past few months, one thing has become really clear. I do need a goal to work towards. I just need to approach it differently.

My WHY hasn’t changed. I want to be fitter and stronger so I can live a more active outdoor life and go on more adventures, like backcountry canoe trips, hiking holidays, cycling trips. These are the things I love, and I know I’ll enjoy them more if I’m stronger, fitter, and feeling better in my body. I also want to be able to keep doing these things as I get older.

*Part of my why is to enjoy more trips like this hiking holiday in the Swiss Alps, Grindelwald, September 2023*

A Chance Conversation

At the end of November, a few days before starting my new job, I went out for a mood boosting cycle in minus five degrees. At my half way mark 20 km in, I stopped in a coffee shop to warm up and defrost my toes.

That’s where I met a lovely lady named Paula.

Paula came over to chat and started telling me about her journey with triathlon. She had the most incredible story (I can’t wait to read her book when it comes out next month) and listening to her reminded me why I’d loved the sport in the first place. More than that, she reminded me how important community is, something I’ve really been missing.

This morning I signed up for the Toronto Triathlon Olympic distance this July and joined the Toronto Triathlon Club. Thanks Paula! I’m looking forward to getting out for a cycle with you in the spring once the snow melts!

*The cycle back and warming up my toes after chatting with Paula, Toronto, November 2025*

Moving Forward

My WHY hasn’t changed. I still want to move more outdoors and feel better in myself. What’s changing is how I approach the journey.

Having the support of a community feels like an important missing piece, and I’m hopeful it will help me stay consistent beyond race day, and not just give up once the event is over.

I’m committing to sharing more here again, with a minimum of two Move More Outdoors blog posts per month. In my next article, I’ll share how I’m structuring my weeks and building a plan that balances strength training with triathlon training.

As always, I’ll be sharing the highs and lows, the lessons along the way, and the adventures that remind me why moving more outdoors matters so much to me.

Reconnecting With My Fitness Journey