Balanced with Jess

If I relied on motivation alone, I wouldn’t get very far.

It’s fickle, temporary, and vulnerable to the smallest inconveniences and disruptions. Instead, I like to set my environment up so that consistency is achieved in the absence of motivation.

1. Set realistic expectations and goals for yourself. Don’t “0-to-100” your fitness and nutrition. Make your goals attainable so they aren’t discouraging when motivation wanes and your life picks up.

2. Don’t leave yourself hanging.. prepare for your own success. Small things like grocery shopping on a day off, cooking double portions for a healthy leftovers in the week, packing your gym bag the night before, etc make a big difference.

3. Don’t do sh*t you hate.. at least not right off the bat. Pick something palatable and commit to that with regularity. This helps build momentum. Podcast walks always do it for me!

4. It doesn’t have to be sexy, but there is an element of just showing up that has to happen for long term changes. Adjust what’s possible based on your life, events, schedule, injuries, etc. Your workouts don’t have to be beautifully curated for an hour long.. just continue to show up in some capacity for yourself.

Reach out if you need extra help or accountability ⚡️

So I was talking to my little sister about the concept of loving your body but wanting to change the way it looks.

We often think we can't do both but I'd respectfully disagree. Loving your body manifests itself in a host of different ways (I hope) and it's 100% okay to have goals and desires that are physique related. Where we run into problems is how we approach this.

Over the last several years (really since Balanced with Jess started) I've adopted a touchy-feely approach to my fitness and it's been life changing. However, this transition hasn't always been easy and I definitely still have physique-related goals. In fact, I currently have a goal of "fittest of my life by my birthday" in both physique and strength.

HOWEVER, I refuse to accomplish this in any other manner than by doing what I truly enjoy. So I'm consistently training in a way that I LOVE. I'm eating a lot of foods that I know are nourishing and actually taste good to me. Because when you love something, you do your best to be kind to it and make it's well-being a priority.

Loving your body doesn't mean always loving the way it looks. It means continually striving to treat it with kindness and respect. So here's your reminder to quit doing s**t you hate. Quit working out in a particular way if it hurts. Quit eating a certain diet if it makes you feel bad and tastes terrible. Quit doing that one exercise if it's only in an attempt to shape shift. Quit following those people if you're falling into the trap of comparison.

If I could wave a wand to make us all feel beautiful in our own eyes, I would. But I really believe loving yourself goes beyond finding yourself attractive. You are enough. Your health is a priority- both physical and mental. Whatever shape your body takes is worthy of love. You deserve to feel good.

Loving ourselves has to go beyond saying it in the mirror. We gotta show up for it. 💕

Allow me to introduce Rosie 💫

Named in honor of my cousin who not only loved Rosie the Riveter but also embodied a "we can do it" attitude about most everything.

Susanne has served as my personal Rosie throughout my life. The older I get, the more I'm finding we share many passions and I feel her most close on my rides. I spent this morning's ride grateful to experience this unique joy that she knew very well.

I'm grateful to have the privilege of exploring different movement modalities that are so fulfilling. I just thought I'd take a break from shoving sustainable habit tips down your throat. Thanks for allowing me to share some of my joy and inspiration with you ❤️

PSA: it's not self-care if you hate it.

The fitness industry will encourage you to "pay your dues" and "push through" whatever flags your body is sending you. In my humble opinion, we are working against ourselves by participating in sh*t that doesn't speak to us.

Would your workout regimen look different if you only did what you enjoyed? Would your idea of fitness be different if was founded in the joy of movement rather than obligation?

I love walking! Walking up mountains in my favorite national park is high on my list of things that light me up 💛.