The truth is, the bad days will come, whether you’re just starting out or well into your wellness journey.

But here’s the thing: bad days can teach us a lot. They can point us toward areas where we can grow. They remind us of how much we’ve already built in our “wellness bank,” and they give us a chance to practice some of the most underrated traits in health and fitness: grit and self compassion. The two work well together.

This is about the time when that initial burst of motivation can start to fade for many, especially when it comes to sticking with new habits—like eating better. If you're feeling the pull of old routines creeping back in, don’t worry, it’s totally normal! But before you decide to call it quits, let’s talk about one simple but powerful habit that could be a cornerstone of your health goals for the rest of the year: food hygiene.

In this article, we’ll dig into the many ways that strength training is truly life-changing by breaking it down into three key ideas:

1. Being physically stronger benefits you at any age; and you indeed CAN get stronger at any age.

2. Strength translates to many other important areas of your life.

3. The impacts of strength training are synergistic, amplifying your overall well-being.