Win my 2026 bingo
by isabel
Self Improvement Journey Overview
Follow this step-by-step self improvement journey to see real progress updates, challenges overcome, and practical experience.
Progress Updates (4 total)
Update #1: Win my 2026 bingo
I decided to make a bingo card for 2026! The intention is not to do everything (although I’ll make an honest effort at it all) but at the very least win a line! Some things are relatively easier to do, some things are a bit harder. I tried to space the hard ones out.
Challenges Overcome: This month I’ve successfully done three bit of yoga each week, have called my siblings, have made a new dish, called my parents, made a new friend, read a book (about to finish my second too!), and have been training for my marathon.
Obstacles Faced: Well New Zealand hyrox has just finished and I didn’t do it, soooo it will be a challenge to finish that one.
Looking Back: I’m a visual person, I need to see my goals all the time in order to stay on that path. There were a couple times seeing the bingo card reminded me of what I’m wanting to do.
Update #2: February update
15% completeNothing checked off yet, but progress made in most of the boxes. My favourite one this month has been starting my fundraising campaign for brain research! Check it out justgiving.com/page/isabel-leeming
Challenges Overcome: Have started my first fundraising campaign for brain research (tattoo photos attached), read another book this month, was consistent with yoga and my marathon training, have started my visa process, and made a new friend!
Obstacles Faced: Well the Ironman plan has fallen through, I was going to do it with a couple of mates as a team challenge this upcoming week but they’ve had to pull out. Might do an unofficial one in my gym sometime soon.
Looking Back: Maybe next years bingo I won’t put date-specific challenges (ie there’s annually only one Ironman comp in the north island, and only one hyrox comp in all of Nz and it’s already passed).
Update #3: March update
30% completeI moved to the UK, did (and am still doing) yoga three times a week during my marathon training, have raised money for brain research (still time to donate! Donations page in the comments) and gotten a new tattoo with my friend Izzy
Obstacles Faced: Marathon in less than two weeks… that’ll be difficult but I can’t wait!!! So excited to see a bunch of my extended family and friends
Looking Back: I did end up turning down the conference presentation in order to move overseas, but that’s okay. I don’t need to cross everything off on this list!
Update #4: Marathon done!
40% completeRan the 26.2m and loved it so much. Definitely hard at points but the crowds and atmosphere was amazing. Didn’t get my goal time, but still stoked with finishing.
https://www.justgiving.com/page/isabel-leeming
Challenges Overcome: The challenge was not the marathon itself, the training was the hardest part. Long runs every weekend, having to plan my social life around my runs and workouts. But goodness was it worth it, looking to my next major will be the goal and keep going until I finish all majors.
Obstacles Faced: Training meant I had to give up on a lot of social events, when I wasn’t running I was working or taking proper rest. During the marathon, got a couple blisters so that made it a little bit of a challenge to finish. And the post marathon blues are REAL! Haha have signed myself up for a couple more races and put my name in the ring for London marathon 2027. Let’s see how we go!
Looking Back: A marathon is long, but it’s doable. People are amazing. Friends and family will move mountains for you.