#emotionregulation

I often question if my body is still changing. I doubt that I will make more progress because I’m already pretty small for my frame. But then I look back at how far I have come and realize that even when I don’t see it, my body is changing in huge ways. Want to know the secret? Showing up and being consistent. Consistency does not mean doing things perfectly, but it means getting back up when you’ve fallen off track, making healthy choices 80% of the time, and continuously challenging yourself to do better. It is about taking baby steps to make huge gains, rather than big jumps that result in shortcomings. It’s about utilizing your supports and resources, rather than doing it alone. I am here to support you, here to teach you those baby steps, and here to provide you with those resources that have helped me make these changes over the past (almost two years). Are you ready to make the change?

I didn’t want to work out today. I completed a post-doc application, made my Halloween costume, took the dog on multiple walks, checked the mail (twice), and did laundry, all to avoid working out. But here I am, post-workout. Was it my best? Not at all. Was it worth it? Absolutely. - - - - - #healthylifestyle #fitphd #fittherapist #fitwife #clinicalpsychology #psychologyphd #phdlife #gradschoollife #puppymom #cavapoomom #fitfromhome #selflove #lifestylechange #fitstudent #svuaddict #edwarrior #mentalhealthawareness #ilovesourpatchkids #suicidepreventionadvocate #youareincontrolofyourreactions #emotionregulation #findyourcopingskills

Or breakfast, or lunch. Literally me this morning. I asked Spence what I should eat and all of his suggestions I was like nope 🙅🏼. Why is deciding what to eat so difficult?

With how obsessed I am with my dog I can’t imagine what I will be like when we have human children 😂.

Do you ever look at yourself in the mirror and go “is that really me?” This could be a positive or a negative question but, regardless, it’s funny how sometimes we don’t even recognize ourselves. I had that moment today when working out. It’s amazing how day to day we may not notice changes but over time we can tell just how much change we have made.

I took this weekend to catch up on a ton of work I had been putting off. I stepped away from social media and focused on research and putting together the free group I am running this week. I set a goal, and I crushed it. I edited two book chapters, two papers to resubmit to journals, and set up my whole week of crockpot recipes. This weekend was EXACTLY what I needed after the headspace I have been in recently. So here is to making Monday amazing and continuing on this productive path.

I used to not make exercise a priority. I told myself I had “so much” else to do. When I did go to the gym, I went for hours upon hours, typically doing cardio, and was mad that I wasn’t seeing any results. But the truth is I wasn’t consistent and I wasn’t working my body correctly. But for 20 months now I have been consistent with my exercise (and nutrition) thanks to amazing support, accountability, and programs that tell me exactly what to do. I have gone from a size 6 to a size 2. I have increased my weights from 2.5 - 10 pounds, to 5 - 30 pounds. But most of all, I FEEL better. Like Elle Woods 👱🏻‍♀️ said “Exercise gives you endorphins, endorphins make you happy.”

#throwbackthursday to 10 years ago 😱 when I was a freshman in college. I tend to refer to myself as “hot mess Jess” because that’s the best way to describe who I was at 18. I was 1,000 miles away from my family and friends, not in a good place mentally (or physically), and really was trying to figure out who I was. Some people peak in college, I like to think I wasn’t one of them 😂 I am so much happier and healthier than I was 10 years ago and hope to continue to move in a forward direction. Like a fine wine 🍷some of us get better with time, and I like to think I am one of those people.