What we're leaving behind in wellness in 2026
January always comes with a lot of noise.
New routines. New rules. New standards to keep up with.
But instead of setting resolutions this year, I’ve been noticing what’s been coming up – in my own body, in the conversations with women around me, and in the wellness space more broadly.
And honestly? It feels like things are shifting. Quieter. More human. Less loud.
Here are five predictions for health + wellness in 2026. Let’s check back at the end of the year and see how I did.
1. From protein maxxing → gut health
More protein isn't necessarily better if you're bloated, exhausted, and not actually digesting your food.
It feels like we're finally moving away from protein-everything (protein ice cream, protein pasta sauce… you know the vibe) and coming back to gut health. Fiber is having a moment—and for good reason. Higher fiber intake is linked to steadier blood sugar, better metabolic health, and there's growing awareness around how long-term eating patterns affect things like colon health.
After years of talking about Mediterranean-style eating in theory, 2026 feels like the year it gets practical: more plants, higher-fiber meals, fermented foods worked in regularly—not as a cleanse or a protocol, just as everyday support.
→ This fiber packed sweet treat is both gut-healthy and a favorite of mine
2. From aesthetic fitness → women-centered strength
As beauty standards get more extreme, a lot of women are opting out of chasing them altogether.
Even though I do think skinnytok will be here to stay for a while, we can expect to see a growing interest in strength training that actually supports hormones, joints, bones, and long-term health—especially as conversations around perimenopause and menopause keep entering the mainstream. Movement is starting to feel more functional and less performative.
→ Dr. Stacey Sims talks to Andrew Huberman about women's training in this podcast
3. From indoor fitness trends → outdoor movement
We've moved through CrossFit, HIIT, and Hyrox… and people are tired.
I think we'll see a resurgence of outdoor movement this year—walking, hiking, trail running, outdoor classes. Touching grass, honestly. Being inside all the time is draining, and a lot of these high-pressure fitness trends are also expensive and inaccessible.
→ Learn how nature benefits your brain
4. From optimization → "good enough" wellness
Tracking everything, biohacking your life, trying to be your best self at all costs—it's exhausting.
With burnout and affordability both very real, I think 2026 wellness looks more like balance, flexibility, and systems that work in real life. Less all-or-nothing. More sustainable rhythms..
Want help building a wellness routine that actually fits your life? Book a free discovery call
5. From solo fixing → community focus
People don't just want classes anymore. They want connection.
More shared experiences. More community-based wellness. Less "fix yourself alone," and more "we're in this together." Especially in a tense political and social climate, understanding and caring for your body becomes grounding—and doing it alongside others matters.
Looking to find a space for you but don't know where to start? We build a free starter guide here
If there's one thread running through all of this, it's this:
People aren't trying to be optimized or picture perfect anymore—they're trying to feel grounded.
If that resonates, you're exactly where you're meant to be this January.
And if something here stood out (or made you think "yes, finally"), reply and tell me what resonated—I genuinely love hearing from you.
x Kat
Sweaty & Soulful
