I’m not perfect and I’m okay with that because I don’t believe in “perfection”. I believe in progress.
For over half my life, I struggled with my weight and self-image. (Thank you Barbie.) I’ve tried about 2074 different diets. Most of them worked for about two weeks and each one left me more frustrated with myself than the first. One day, it occurred to me that maybe it wasn’t the diet. Maybe it was me and my lifestyle. I was going through another bout of severe depression and was reaching my my highest non-pregnant weight ever. So for motivation I decided to do what any sane girl does and train for a figure competition. (Maybe 5 years of therapy didn’t help.) I resolved I would be “competing to lose” and started a blog with that name. What could have ended up a disaster, by the grace of God, turned out to be one of the better decisions in my life. I got healthy, confronted Garbage Girl, developed confidence, finally fit into The Braxtons, developed new friendships through blogging, and learned a few other things along the way. I was flabbergasted when I ended up winning my division (it was a really small class). While I can’t say I liked getting up onstage in a bikini, I “enjoyed” the journey and six months later, I was on the stage again. I’m not defined by my destinations, I’m just learning to enjoy the journey. I want to tell you my journey has been easy but I can’t. Eating healthy, making the time to exercise, and choosing happiness is still a daily choice. I liken myself to the Little Engine Who Could because despite all my baggage I’m making it up the hill and I want you to come with me.
I believe we are all works in progress and contain amazing potential within deep wells of strength. Sometimes we just need a little help drawing from our wells and sometimes we need to help others draw from theirs. I should mention I can be inspired by a Big Gulp and looooveeee using analogies. I have chronic cheerleader syndrome (CCS). I want you to reach yours goals, want you to have insane health, want you to laugh, want you to beat depression, want you to feel great, want you to enjoy a treat without guilt, want you to fit into those jeans, want you to overcome your own struggles, want you to grow stronger, want you to feel beautiful, and I want to learn from YOU! Yes, this blog is about food and fitness but at it’s foundation this blog is about you, Girl-Heroes. Girl-Heroes, women of all types, who persevere, despite the pressures of our cultures, in their quest for health inspiring others and inspiring me to battle on.
I live in California with my soulmate of 11 years, two curious children, a cat of royal descent, and two snorty pugs. We like to say we fit together “Like Legos”. It’s even inscribed in our wedding rings. I’m certified to teach kettlebells through the HKC and preparing for the RCK in late August. I enjoy reading, homeschooling, vintage stuff, camping, cooking, taekwondo, cuddling, writing, daydreaming, traveling, and being in the moment with my favorite people. I like wearing water socks and Uggs…even with shorts. And, yes, I enjoy working out and nourishing my body. Most of the time.
I hope you’ll come back to visit often
Hugs and High Fives,
Jenn
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