What more dangerous animal do you want to be?

February 4, 2026February 4, 2026 catherine wLeave a comment

My favorite training coach of all-time is Steve Weller. We met in 2007 (I checked through emails to confirm) when he did some coaching for my cycling team, North East Bicycling Club. I was (and remained) a beginner back-of-the-pack racer, but I loved the feelings of speed and effort amidst the sounds of my breath and the spinning of the wheels on pavement. Steve and I worked together for several years during and after my days of racing.

I’ve had a lot of coaches and training and instruction in a lot of sports, but Steve stands out as the best. Why? He combines keen analytical intelligence with deep empathy, humor and a sense of perspective about training and competition. And he genuinely loves both the sports of cycling (road, cross, MTB) and the people who participate in them.

In case you’re wondering, I’m writing this because I’m still on his email list and he sent something today that I just loved and had to share with all of you.

Steve wrote in this post about a how he came across the phrase “a more dangerous animal”. And then he said this:

As you push through hard workouts and suffer to hang with the fast group, remember – you are doing this work to become a more dangerous animal.

I cannot tell you how much this tickles and pleases and motivates me. Some thoughts:

Do I want to become a more dangerous animal? Can I?

What keener capacities, what kinds of prowess do I want to cultivate?

In my new proposed powerful state, to whom/what do I want to present a danger?

The social status quo?
Our current national power structure?
The patriarchy?
Oppressive institutions?
Maybe my own complacency and timidity about change?

And, of course, there’s deciding which animal to embody/channel/aim for. Here are some suggestions, but please feel free to add your own ideas in the comments.

I know it’s midweek, but give yourself a moment to think about this. Rowr! Grrrr! Hissssss! Buzzzzz!

A gallery of six dangerous animals: tiger, crocodile, bee, shark, jellyfish and meerkat. — A gallery of dangerous animals: meerkat (apparently they get very put out if you approach them), jellyfish, bee, tiger, crocodile and shark.

fitness

I Am NOT Sick … Except I Am

February 4, 2026February 3, 2026 Mina1 Comment

I have not been flattened-out-sick since sometime before the pandemic. I’ve had covid twice and both times I was extremely lucky that the symptoms were so mild that I didn’t even stop working out. Then came this past Sunday. Flattened. Making it from the couch to the bathroom was a project. Retrieving my computer to watch a movie. A massive effort. My phone recorded zero steps. I thought I might have a sunburn, from spending so much time outdoors the day before on a sunny, frigid day (-15C), though I was careful with sunscreen. Then I realized that my face was fever-red. My head bursting. Coughing like my smoker grandparents. All plans (which I was so looking forward to) canceled.

At first, despite my level 9 discomfort, I didn’t want to believe I was sick. That’s why the sunburn theory, which lasted a red-hot minute (literally).

Even though I have an auto immune condition, I still want to believe that I don’t get sick. Oh, and I also don’t want to call my auto immune condition by its name, which contains the word disease. Addison’s Disease. As if, if I don’t say that word, then the condition will be less than it is. Which is medication three times a day for my life. Not to improve my quality of life. But to ensure that I live.

I especially didn’t want to be sick because on Saturday I ran a broken up 21k, which involved an outdoor run, followed by a treadmill workout, followed by two more blocks of running outdoors to get home. So, the run included all sorts of transitions from cold to indoors to subways to indoors to outdoors etc. I even finished the run with a pair of boots under each arm, that I’d picked up at the shoe repair 6 blocks from home.

One of my challenges to myself for this year is to run one 21k per month. Saturday (though the 31^st) was my February 21k. Check. And then because that wasn’t enough, for good measure, I did a 2-hour walk with a friend in the afternoon. By the end of which, I was well and truly done with the cold.

I did NOT want to admit that my maximalist Saturday had turned out to be too much.

It was too much.

Can I allow that to be what it is? Penguin awkward! And not use it as something to criticize myself and my lack of fortitude?

A work in progress.

p.s this post is short and not polished as I would have liked, because … sick (I am, sigh) and out of energy.

ADHD · goals · habits · health · self care

Christine’s Two Experiments For February

February 3, 2026February 3, 2026 Christine HenneburyLeave a comment

After last week’s post about January’s experiments, my plan was to just explore the questions I was asking myself and then carry on with the same activities throughout February.

But then, on Sunday morning, I woke up with the idea that I wanted to add two things to my plans for February.*

a small drawing of the number 2 — Sure, this 2 is a little wonky but it’s grand that way. Same could be said for many of us, hey? 😉 image description: the number two drawn in red with gold trim against a background of red dots. The card the drawing is on is also trimmed in gold and it is resting on my black computer keyboard. I borrowed this drawing from my Dec 2 post.

My first instinct was to talk myself out of it – I’m already working on several things and I don’t want to overload myself – but then I realized that these two small things fit in quite nicely with the ways I am trying to establish practices and processes overall for myself in 2026.

So, that’s why I am going ahead with adding at least a 1 minute wall-sit and adding 1 more serving of veggies to my lunch this month.

These practices both feel like a good way to work on trying something imperfectly (which was the topic of one of my questions in last week’s post!) and they will be beneficial to me even if I don’t get to them every single day.

Both of these things can be helpful for my blood pressure (I’m on BP meds already and just keeping an eye on my numbers.)

I really want to eat more veggies anyway so the structure of ‘1 more at lunch’ is a straightforward way to start.

The wall-sits will take very little time, they feel doable and they are good for my glutes and my knees – both of which need some attention.

So, even though these things are ‘extra’ they will help me with my big picture goals., they have lots of potential benefits with minimal effort, and if they don’t work out?

No big deal!

These are experiments – if they don’t work, I can try something else.

But if they do work I will have practiced more practices, strengthened my legs, eaten more veggies, had more satisfying lunches, taken good care of myself, and maybe even done something good for my blood pressure.

Let’s see how it goes!

*Convenient, hey? 2 things for the second month? Sometimes my brain is so TIDY!)

fitness

Ms FIT at U of T

February 2, 2026February 1, 2026 Sam BLeave a comment

Here on the blog we’ve long been complaining that most fitness research focuses on young, able-bodied men.

But look! Here’s a research team looking at women, post-menopausal women even.

If we weren’t already physically active, we’d be giving them a call. Since you’re reading this blog, likely you’re also one of us, but if you’re not, or you know someone who isn’t, please consider giving the Ms FIT Team a call, and then let us know how it goes.

Find out more here.

Infographic promoting a physical activity study for postmenopausal women at the University of Toronto, highlighting a 6-month program with free group exercise, flexible scheduling, and support for participation.

fitness

Sam is doing no-spend February

February 2, 2026February 1, 2026 Sam B2 Comments

December was Christmas shopping. January was sales. And for February, I’m joining Gretchen Rubin for a month of no spending.

Here is how her last no-spend February went.

What are my rules?

Wait, I should also explain that I am starting no-spend February today, February 2nd.

What happened to February 1st? I was caught off guard on a stop by Winners to get a birthday present for my eldest child. They’d just texted me a picture of something they’d found at their Winners, but not in their size. Middle child and I got the message while at the grocery store, and we stopped by Winners on our way home. No luck on the present for the eldest, but while there, we browsed the sale rack–because of course you do. I got a couple of things for them, but I also found a blue and green plaid sweater for me. Cute but also not exactly necessary. I shopped on the very first day of no-spend February.

a grayscale of letter cutouts — Photo by Ann H on Pexels.com

But rather than throw the whole month away because of one mistake, I decided to start Monday.

After all, I’ve long been an advocate for the view that new year’s resolutions start the first Monday in January. I’m going to bring that Monday energy to my month of no spending.

Back to the rules. Gretchen Rubin’s worksheet is here.

I’m focusing on online spending–no clothes, books, or sporting equipment. (Books that I can charge to my research account don’t count.) I’m also not going to shop in person but that’s easier to avoid since I don’t do so much of that. Food is essential-even food I buy outside the home. If there are things I really want I’m going to keep a list and re-evaluate when the month is over. I will make an exception for gifts for other people.

Join me for a month of no spending?

A bright red piggy bank on a green background.

fitness · skate · skiing · snow · snowshoe · winter

Playing in the Snow Over the Years (and Recent Weekends)

February 2, 2026February 2, 2026 Sam BLeave a comment

Two women posing with mountain bikes in snow, February 2020.

Last year Sarah and I missed winter. See here.

This year we’re celebrating it, the sunny snowy days anyway. For three weekends in a row, we played in the snow between work things.

I’ve spent the past couple of weeks away in Ottawa at academic administrators’ conferences. Week 1 was the Canadian Council for the Advancement of Education (CCAE) Development for Deans meeting. Week 2 was Higher Education Strategy Associate’s Re:University meeting. It’s been a very busy January and so this blog post is more photo essay than anything.

An ode to playing in the snow!

Weekend one was Sarah, Mallory, and me at Arrowhead and Limberlost on skis, skates, and snowshoes. It was snowy and warm, like almost too warm, just below freezing.

A woman in a bright pink jacket smiles while Nordic skiing on a snowy trail surrounded by trees.

A person snowshoeing on a snowy trail surrounded by trees.

Weekend two Sarah and I spent at the farm between Ottawa conferences. Mallory and friends visited and so did Susan and Jeff. It was a bit strange weather-wise. In this part of Canada, we associate snow with lake effect snow, and that usually happens when it’s not that cold. When it gets really cold, people say it’s too cold to snow. Not this winter. As our weather changes, with climate change, we’re having overlap between days when there are record-breaking cold temperatures and record-breaking amounts of snow. What’s that mean? Toronto had -25 (feels like -35) and 60 cm of snow in 24 hours. Ouch!

I’m not sure we got that much at the farm, but we did get a lot. We debated not going out, but in the end we decided we all needed the sun. See Braving the cold, looking on at our neighbours to the south in horror, sadness and fear, and taking comfort in food.

Two women smiling for a selfie in a snowy landscape.

We even did some snow hiking in Ottawa in the middle, along with a day at the Nordik spa in nearby Chelsea, just outside Gatineau.

A sunlit winter forest with bare trees and snow covering the ground.

A snow-covered evergreen tree with sunlight streaming through its branches, surrounded by a winter landscape.

And weekend three saw us back at the farm for some snowshoeing in VERY DEEP snow. Wow.

Two women smiling for a selfie in winter clothing, surrounded by snow and trees.

Now it’s back to work on campus, back to city life, and today it’s back to swimming lessons–Chicken, Moose, Butterfly.

I’ll be looking for places to cross-country ski in Guelph, and also adult learn to skate lessons, so I can skate again.

fitness

Happy St Brigid’s Day!

February 1, 2026February 1, 2026 Sam BLeave a comment

You know what they say, it’s spring somewhere!

(Okay, maybe no one says that really. But they should.)

St. Brigid’s Day (Lá Fhéile Bríde), celebrated on February 1st, marks the beginning of spring in Ireland and symbolizes renewal, fertility, and the return of light. As a national holiday since 2023, it honours one of Ireland’s patron saints and the Celtic goddess Brigid, featuring traditions like weaving rush crosses for protection and welcoming spring.

A vibrant, colorful painting featuring a group of women, children, and infants in a lush garden. The central figure is a blonde woman in a white dress, surrounded by other women in various attire, with flowers and greenery in the foreground. — The Coming of Bride (1917) by John Duncan
Photo Credit: John Duncan (1917) Public Domain

For some ways to celebrate, see here. I like the idea of celebrating by spending time in nature, seeing family and friends, and lighting a candle for spring. Cheddar and I are off to the park this afternoon, and we have family coming for Sunday dinner. All that’s left is the candle.

But if you’re feeling extra keen and crafty, you can make a cross for St. Brigid’s day out of reeds.

Spring seems a long way off right now, though. We’re about halfway through winter. It’s another 5 weeks until the clocks change and we get more evening light.

We’ll see. Tomorrow is Groundhog Day. Here’s how to watch Wiarton Willie’s prediction on Monday.

close up of a groundhog in wabasha minnesota — Photo by Tom Fisk on Pexels.com

challenge · fitness

Catherine hates before/after pictures (with one exception)

February 1, 2026February 1, 2026 catherine w1 Comment

One of the many things I love about this blog and these bloggers is the consistent message that we are okay as we are, and that our lives can and should be happening NOW, not wait around until we’ve achieved some other body size or proportion. Time and time again we’ve called out the fitness industry for promoting body size and proportion changes as if they are the most important aspect of engaging in physical activity.

The before/after photos are especially objectionable to me for this reason. In addition to being misleading and probably photoshopped, they add on the emotional force of equating the before state with being unhappy, unattractive, unfit, unwell, unacceptable for public view. Of course this isn’t accurate.

Then comes the after state, depicted in more colorful or fashionable attire, better lighting, and of course smiles (in addition to body shape and proportion changes that reflect stereotypical views about what the fit or acceptable or attractive body is supposed to look like).

Despite that fact that we know all this, before/after photos are everywhere. The rise in use of GLP-1 weight loss drugs has brought them back with the vengeance on social media and in advertisements for online hawkers selling compounded forms of the drug (a very bad idea, btw).

One new twist on the before/after messaging was a series of ads I saw on Facebook, selling an exercise program. It kept saying, “you’ll be unrecognizable in eight weeks if you do this”.

Ew. No. I don’t want to be unrecognizable. I mean, what would happen at work? People would say, “excuse me, where is Catherine? And why are you in her office?”

Seriously though, you get the idea. In January and February (which is the new January, as we know), we are pummeled with ads selling exercise and diet programs, promising us quick transformation. I’m not opposed to transformation– in fact, I spend a lot of time working on projects that I hope will be transformative. I write, meditate, and do creative tasks in part to find new insights that change the way I see the world.

I do physical activity because I have goals, but also because it makes me feel good. Or great. It does change me, but in more complex ways than a mere photo can capture.

Here’s my one exception to the no before/after pics rule: when I get my hair cut. Here’s what I posted to my book group signal thread.

Me, before haircut. Admittedly well overdue for a trim.

During hair transformation. After washing, all turbaned up. I wish I could manage this look at home.

Now, without further ado, the after-haircut salon-pristine pics.

A woman with short gray hair wearing glasses and a black salon cape smiles for the camera in a hair salon. In the background, another person with gray hair is seated, while various hair products are displayed on shelves. — Full-face view, smiling and sleek.

A woman with short gray hair and glasses smiling in a salon, wearing a black cape, with a sign reading 'VINNDIO' in the background. A seated person in the background is using a phone. — Full-face view, smiling and sleek.

Readers, what do you think of before/after pictures? And more importantly, do you like my new haircut?

fitness · top ten

Go Team 2026: Keep Going (at your own pace)

January 31, 2026 Christine HenneburyLeave a comment

Hey Team,

Here we are at the end of January!

I am so grateful for the opportunity to write to you every day throughout this month.

I love the way that this daily writing practice helps to shape the beginning of my year and I appreciate the time and energy you put into reading my posts.

It’s always hard to figure out what to say in these final posts each January because I want to be profound and encouraging and really sum things up…

And then I realize that in focusing so much on the results that I’m at risk of letting perfection get in the way of actually doing my practice.

So, after reminding myself that done beats perfect I usually just forge ahead and trust (once again) that I can let my routine carry me towards something useful to share. *

Today, my routine brought me to the reminder to keep going.

That doesn’t mean to just keep barreling down the path the initially set – unless that feels right to us.

It means to keep returning to the project of moving towards the life we want, no matter how much the details of our practices or our projects have changed since we first set them.

We don’t have to be in a hurry.

In fact, as long as we manage our expectations, we can go at any pace that works for us.

We don’t have to work by someone else’s rules.

We can change our minds on any and all details of the project.

We can go big or work piece by piece.

We can make it fun (or at least add some fun.)

It’s ok if things are easy, it’s ok if things are hard and it’s ok if that changes from day to day.

We are are all doing the best we can with the resources we have and if we are kind to ourselves, if we get curious about our challenges, if we get the rest we need, if we measure something that matters to us, and if we take the time to celebrate ourselves and our hard work, we will be successful on our own terms.

Note: Yes, I have included A LOT of links rights but I didn’t link all 31 posts from this month so if you want to see them all you can find them under the tag Go Team 2026 (or look under Go Team for all of the Go Team posts from previous years.)

So, Team, today I invite you to celebrate your efforts so far and to consider how you want to keep making things better/easier/kinder for future you.

Your efforts matter.

You matter.

Keep being kind to yourself, pretty please.

May you have ease, may you have fun, and may you find satisfaction in your practices.

Go Team Us!

PS – I will be writing more Go Team 2026 posts this year, usually around once per month.

*Yes, my posts are just as much notes-to-self as they are messages for you. 🙂

FIT IS A FEMINIST ISSUE

What more dangerous animal do you want to be?

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Ms FIT at U of T

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Playing in the Snow Over the Years (and Recent Weekends)

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Happy St Brigid’s Day!

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