Author, speaker, and mommy-of-two, Jennifer spends her days challenging women to look in the mirror and love what they see. From the extra fluff of their tummies, to the wrinkles around their eyes, Jennifer knows that nothing can fix imperfections like a refreshing drink of self-love. Jennifer has had a massive weight loss journey, and has been every size from 6-28. After losing 160 pounds, she realized that you can lose every pound you want to lose, but if you don’t love yourself in the process you’ll never find change that lasts.
You can catch her on her blog and in the world of Instagram challenging women to break free from the bondage that slips onto their ankles when they step onto the scale. She is proof that when we truly embrace who we are, we can be better mothers, better friends, better co-workers, bigger dreamers, and more passionate pursuers. Hang around Jennifer long enough and you’ll find yourself looking into the mirror with a smile on your face as you notice all the little details that make you perfectly imperfect just as you are, today.
Jennifer has a number etched in her mind forever: 336.
336 pounds is the weight that she was when she reached a breaking point and started her weight loss journey.
Then she lost 160 pounds. She’d been almost every size: from a 6 to a 28, and realized that it doesn’t matter how many pounds you lose if you don’t love what you see in the mirror.
“What was going on in your mind when you reached that breaking point?”
It wasn’t easy being overweight since childhood. She’d been bullied and had horrible words said to her throughout the years. Constantly hearing all of those things finally caught up to her.
In the show, Jennifer talks about a night when she was 19 years old, pre husband, pre kids, when she decided to make a change, and where she went from there.
“What would you tell someone who’s reached a breaking point in their life, and who’s maybe afraid of another failed attempt?”
A lot of us trip up when we’ve made a mistake and feel like we can’t go on. Jennifer realized that a solid, journey to a healthy lifestyle includes the good moments and the not-so-good moments. It takes practice, but the more that you have a blip on the radar and keep moving forward, the stronger your willpower gets.
What do you credit the weight loss to?
One of the biggest things that keeps Jennifer going with her healthy lifestyle is her “why.” It always brings her back to her focus.
What’s your why? What’s that “thing” that’s so deep down inside of you that motivates you to pursue a healthy lifestyle?
Jennifer talks about her own “why” and how she had to overcome hating what she saw in the mirror, even after losing 160 pounds.
She talks about the “perfect” body, the numbers at the doctor’s offices, and what it all really comes down to in order to impact the world around you.
Check out this blog post by Jennifer about loving herself as-is.
PSA: The scale does NOT determine your worth!
There will always be something to pick on about your body. There will always be something you wish that was different.
There’s always going to be something you’ll want to pick on. You owe it to yourself, and the people around you, to love who you are TODAY.
How has loving yourself, as-is, impacted other areas of your life?
Jennifer asked herself, “What would my life be like if this weight thing was never a thing for me? What if I was one of those people who never had to worry about her weight? What would I have done?”
Tune into the podcast to hear her answers!
What’s one piece of advice you would give to women who are uncomfortable in their own skin, no matter their weight or size?
Jennifer has met people who are in the best of shape, and even they have their own insecurities about their body.
She encourages us to recognize that WE ALL have things we’re insecure about. It’s important to think about what you’re thinking about. Take inventory of your thoughts. If you catch yourself thinking negatively about the way you look, remind yourself that no one else is criticizing your body the way that you are.
94% of women are unhappy with their body. We’re so concerned about what other people think, while everyone else is thinking about their own looks.
Go through the process of speaking to and thinking kindly about yourself, every day. Take a negative thought and replace it with a positive thought.
Need some help? Jennifer has some really effective affirmations to set as your wallpaper, tape to your mirror, and help you to more easily think better thoughts about yourself!
This is a work from the inside out. When you decide that you’re going to be healthy and truly love yourself, you will be a more happy and whole person.
What are some other practical ways you’ve stayed on track?
It’s YOU versus YOU. Don’t fall into the comparison trap. Beware of the crash diets. Focus on you and YOUR journey. Are you stronger today than you were three weeks ago? Are you pushing yourself?
No two journeys will look the same.
Tune in to hear about Jennifer’s “real life” moment, how she finds time for herself, and what she does!
Connect with Jennifer:
Website: http://www.jenniferwagner.co
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/jenniferwagner.co