My transparent wellness journey - fitness edition
My name is Jess and I have finally decided that it is time to take life by the reigns and work on myself from the inside out. I’m calling it “My Transparent Wellness Journey”. I will be focusing on things that will better improve MYSELF. I am sharing to be real with myself, gain support and hopefully inspire others, especially those like me! So feel free to follow me on this journey!
First up: Fitness Edition!
I have always been the “bigger girl” all my life. Although I am comfortable with the way I look, I haven’t been taking care of myself the way I should. I most often lack motivation for fitness, tend to binge eat (especially sweet things), and find that I don’t do things that I used to enjoy! I suffer with anxiety, depression and binge eating disorder.
My friend Amy gave me all of her tips and tricks on how she has lost over 40 lbs! See below for fitness tips!
- She writes each pound on a sticky note from start weight to goal weight and crosses them off as she sheds the pounds. If she gains she puts a new sticky note over the crossed one.
- She works out 4-5 times a week. (Because we are being transparent here and just starting getting into fitness again I am aiming for at least 3 times a week)
- Discipline! She told me that even on the days she doesn’t want to go workout, she forces herself to go because even if it’s half a$$ed she is still moving her body!
-Working out doesn’t have to happen in the gym! I have an almost 3 year old who is busy! So my best workouts are on YouTube, my favorite being grow with jo and when my toddler is awake and needing to run some energy we will work it out with Danny Go!
-Lastly make sure you are hydrating yourself and pushing yourself to YOUR limits, no one else’s!
Stay tuned to see how this journey goes 🙃#journeytofit #fitnesstransformationjourney #healthylifestyle2024 #beginnerfitnessjourney #wellness #transparent sticky notes #transparency
Hey everyone! So glad you're following along on my transparent wellness journey. After sharing my initial fitness tips, I realized many of you, like me, are looking for something a bit more structured—a 'transparent workout programming' if you will! It's one thing to get motivated, but another to actually plan how you’re going to achieve those fitness goals consistently. What does 'transparent workout programming' mean to me? It’s about creating a plan that’s open, honest, and adaptable to my life, reflecting both my strengths and my struggles. My friend Amy’s tips were a fantastic starting point, but I've been thinking about how to weave them into a real, achievable *program*. First up, setting realistic goals and tracking them transparently. Amy’s sticky note method for tracking pounds is genius for visual progress. But for 'programming,' I'm extending that to workouts themselves. I've started a simple workout journal where I note down: What I did (e.g., '30 mins Grow with Jo full body'), how I felt (energy levels, mood), and any challenges. This helps me honestly see my progress and figure out what's working. If I miss a day, instead of beating myself up, I honestly write why and how I can adjust for next week. That’s transparent feedback for *myself*. Speaking of adjusting, creating a flexible weekly schedule is key. The goal is 3 times a week for me right now. My 'program' isn't rigid. For example, my 'WEEKLY Yoga Dance' session might happen on a Tuesday morning if my toddler is at pre-school, or sometimes it's a quick 15-minute stretch session from 'Grow with Jo' after bedtime if the day got crazy. The key is to schedule the intention, but be transparent with myself if I need to swap days or shorten a session. Even a "half-assed" workout, as Amy says, is still movement! For actual workout content, those YouTube channels are life-savers! Rather than just randomly picking a video, I'm trying to program them. On Mondays, maybe it's a 'Grow with Jo' cardio and strength session. Wednesdays could be a 'WEEKLY Yoga Dance' for flexibility and mental calm. And on Fridays, if my little one is buzzing with energy, we'll do an active play session with 'Danny Go!'. This makes my 'programming' accessible and fun, especially when the gym isn't an option. Another huge part of transparent programming is listening to your body and mind. Honesty about my energy levels, my struggles with anxiety, and yes, even those cravings, helps me adjust my plan without feeling like a failure. If I’m exhausted, a gentle walk is better than forcing a high-intensity workout and burning out. Hydration is always in my transparent tracking—did I drink enough water today? Simple, but so important. Ultimately, a transparent workout program isn’t about perfection; it's about consistency and self-awareness. It's about being real with myself about where I am, what I can realistically do, and how I can keep moving forward, one honest step at a time. I hope these insights help you build your own transparent plan!
