After the Reset: What I’m Noticing in My Energy, Skin & Cravings

Last week, I shared that I started January with a gentle protein reset. Not a cleanse. Not a dramatic overhaul. Just a simple way to bring structure back after a very full holiday season.

I finished the reset on Friday, and after sitting with it for a few days, I wanted to share what I’m actually noticing. Not numbers. Not perfection. Just awareness.

Because for me, that’s where real change starts.

The Shift I Felt First: Steady Energy

The very first thing I noticed was my energy. Not a surge or a spike, but steadiness.

My mornings felt calmer. I wasn’t rushing or dragging myself into the day. And that familiar late-afternoon crash didn’t show up the way it usually does after the holidays.

At this stage of life, that kind of steady energy feels like gold. It allows me to show up more present, more patient, and more focused, without relying on willpower or pushing through fatigue.

Digestive Calm Makes Everything Feel Easier

After the holidays, my body felt inflamed and bloated. Travel, treats, wine, late nights, and irregular routines tend to do that.

By the end of the reset, that heavy feeling had noticeably eased. My digestion felt calmer and more predictable, and that alone made my days feel lighter.

I’ve learned over the years that when digestion feels supported, everything else tends to fall into place. Less discomfort. Less brain fog. Less reactivity in my body overall. It’s not something I always notice right away, but once it shifts, I feel it everywhere.

My Skin Always Tells the Story

This one still surprises me, even though I’ve seen it happen before.

When my digestion and blood sugar feel more balanced, my skin responds quickly. By the end of the reset, my skin looked calmer and more even, with less congestion and irritation.

It’s a reminder I come back to often. Skincare is not just what we put on our face. It’s deeply connected to how we nourish ourselves, how we hydrate, how we sleep, and how supported our body feels from the inside.

Cravings Quiet When the Body Feels Nourished

One of the biggest benefits of focusing on protein after the holidays is how much quieter cravings become.

When I feel satisfied and nourished, there’s no internal tug-of-war around food. I’m not negotiating with myself or feeling like I need to be “good.” The noise just softens.

That feeling of calm around food is something I value more and more. It’s freeing, especially after a season where indulgence is part of the joy.

What I’m Carrying Forward

This reset wasn’t about five days. It was about awareness.

It reminded me how much my body appreciates structure, consistency, and nourishment, especially now. And how quickly things can shift when I listen instead of force.

What I’m carrying forward is not a rigid plan, but a mindset. Paying attention to how food makes me feel. Prioritizing hydration. Choosing movement that supports my body instead of stressing it. And allowing myself to enjoy life while also honoring what my body needs.

January doesn’t need extremes. It doesn’t need punishment or perfection. Sometimes it just needs a pause, a little structure, and a lot of self-awareness.

If you’re feeling curious about the reset I completed or wondering what might help you feel more balanced right now, you’re always welcome to reach out. I’m happy to share what’s been working for me.

If you’re someone who likes structure and simplicity, I added a link below to the reset I followed. No pressure at all. Just an option if it feels supportive for you right now.

Learn more about the reset here

Love

LeeAnne