2024 is coming to a close, making this the perfect time for reflection on the year as a whole and lessons learned. This year, fitness and wellness truly took center stage. Things like cycle syncing, wearable technology, hormone tests, and more were searched billions of times. Even with so much information out there, it can be hard to discern what is real and what is just a quick fad. For that reason, we thought it would be helpful to put together our top 10 lessons learned from 2024 in the health and fitness space!
10 Health Lessons of 2024
- Strength Training is for Everyone
- Cardio-only routines are a thing of the past. More people than ever are taking advantage of strength training at home and at the gym to build muscle and achieve lasting results.
- 10,000 Steps per Day is Outdated
- Movement quality matters over quantity. Move your body intentionally for 20-30 minutes everyday for a starting point.
- Longevity > Aesthestics
- Aging gracefully was hot topic this year and it has encouraged people to learn more about how to be strong, mobile, and capable for life.
- The Gut-Brain Connection is Paramount
- The foods you consume can directly impact your mood and cognitive abilities by interacting with your gut bacteria. As an example, some gut bacteria will produce oxytocin, which encourages social behavior, while others produce substances that can cause anxiety or depression.
- Artificial Intelligence is Having its Moment
- The rise of AI has led to many AI-directed coaching apps, leading to some heated debates about whether a “coach” can be replaced. In our opinion, the emotional support and accountability you get from a person will never be replicated
- Rest is the New Hustle
- Rest days for optimal performance in sport and everyday life have always been important, but wearable technology like Whoop and Oura have exposed more of how we are NOT recovering due to high strain and low sleep quality.
- “Fake Healthy” Foods were Exposed
- “Health-washed” products like “low-fat,” “keto,” or “gluten-free” often contain hidden sugars or harmful additives. Learning to read labels and prioritize whole foods with one ingredient or limited ingredients has become important. Be careful to not let this become overdone, however. Some “processed” foods are meant to be helpful and healthy. Check out this reel explanation!
- Fitness Became More Inclusive than Ever
- Every body type and people of all different abilities and backgrounds are represented in the fitness space.
- Weight-loss Drugs Sparked Controversy
- Drugs like Ozempic rose in popularity and were promoted by celebrities, leading to what some believe is an unhealthy obsession around weight loss. These drugs have helped many people achieve fat loss, but others worry about side effects, sustainability, and if they encourage unhealthy short cuts. With Achieve Nutrition, we will always take a stance that learning healthy habits the BEST way to find an ideal bodyweight for you and keep it there!
- Social Media Influence Continues to Grow
- Full day of eating videos and grocery store tirades seem to be on everyone’s feed, leading to a plethora of information that may or may not be true. It is important to follow people on social media with professional credentials that promote science-backed data. Some of our favorites are Gabrielle Lyon, Stacy Sims and Layne Norton.
Wrapping It Up
As we move into 2025, let’s carry these lessons forward. Whether it’s embracing strength training, prioritizing rest, or navigating controversial trends like AI coaching and weight loss drugs, the goal is to find what works for you. If you are looking for a supportive community, come check out Achieve Performance, Home of CrossFit Achieve and Achieve Nutrition. We would love to help you make 2025 your best year yet!
