Fitness wasn’t always my favorite thing but being active was. Oh wait… does being a mommy to babies count as active? Is it like working-the-heart-to-make-it-healthy kind of active? Probably not… more like a momma-is-super-busy kind of active but not a running kind of active.
I’m going to tell you how that all turned around, how I became active, worked with Jessie Hilgenberg and took the “Active Lifestyle” head on, and the super cute clothes and how they came with it all.
STORY TIME
Leading an active lifestyle was not on my list of priorities for a long time, but the minute I implemented it into my life as well as my family’s, my life was forever changed and because of it, life is a lot more fun now. At the age of 55 my mom had a heart attack, and it slowly dawned on me what my own health could possibly look like in the future.
This was 2009, I was pregnant at the time and experiencing a high-risk pregnancy with my third child, so there was no way that being active was an option. My posture had developed poorly over time from always being stuck in bed with my pregnancies and never working to regain good posture or strength in between each child. It wasn’t until six months after I had given birth to my fourth child that I finally looked in the mirror and asked myself, “GIRL! What are you doing??”
AN “ACTIVE LIFESTYLE” WASN’T THE “THING” IN MY LIFE
I was nowhere near focused on being active but it was definitely what I needed. My own health consisted of hormone issues, and I dealt with stomach issues that had already left me fighting my own battle; I knew though that if I didn’t start steering myself in the right direction, who knew what would come next. Was I scared? Darn right – I started worrying. My mom had her heart attack and, not long after, broke her foot just by taking a few steps while walking because of Osteoporosis. Genetics weren’t doing her any favors, and it showed time and time again in her family (like her mom, aunts, and so on). Our bodies are a lot alike, so I knew that I needed to start taking better care of me!
SO WHAT DID I DO ABOUT IT?
In 2013, when my last baby was six months old, I knew that I was going to have to hire someone to help me at least three days a week in making sure that I was doing my part at consistently getting a workout in as I had a tiny family to look after and was homeschooling my kids – I am very good at taking care of everyone around me and not myself. The trainer thing was successful; I had an awesome trainer in New Braunfels, TX that did a great job at keeping me and my workouts in check. I had started my workouts only being able to lift 2lb weights but it increased to more. I built up a habit of putting myself first and getting in those workouts over the years. It wasn’t easy and at times I definitely missed my goals, but it was something that I knew I needed.
THIS IS WHERE JESSIE HILGENBERG CAME IN…
during 2015 and that woman inspired me to no end! Holy cow did she ever inspire me – her approach to taking care of ourselves for forever instead of just fad diets was so important to me. Her own father had died from sudden heart issues and that woman somehow knew exactly what I needed. Jessie taught me so dang much, more than I feel any other trainer has.
She understood diet with my body and what it needed, she understood how to put form first for all the exercises, she made sense, she was humble, her laugh was contagious, she was always smiling and she didn’t want people doing any fad diets – she wanted to fix their metabolism and take care of them forever. I LOVED this woman and her **programs then and I love her now, so much that I haven’t even used another program since!
It’s crazy what happens when we put goals to something or when we put our hearts into something – I even developed my first instagram page (including taking my first ever selfie haha). I had friends that wanted me to help them keep themselves accountable and I was doing my best to make sure that everyone was getting in their workouts as well. The page turned into what it did and we have grown since then. I didn’t go into all of this looking at it like I was going to change everything about me; instead I went into it knowing I needed to work out. I never thought it would become a lifestyle that I would want to live. I also didn’t think that my self-worth or my spiritual well-being would change, let alone my mental health – but everything changed. I didn’t even think, “heck ya Joce, soon you’ll be wearing workout clothes everyday,” haha but… I did.
WHAT’S THAT GOT TO DO WITH ACTIVEWEAR?
I know you’re reading this and thinking “Joce, still… this isn’t about active wear” and… you’re right, none of it was. But what it is about is a girl that changed and the changing created more change. And do you know what was one of the changes I never mentioned throughout this blog? One of my motivators was a new activewear outfit when I hit a goal. When I went into my fitness journey, I bought new workout clothes so I’d get excited to have something to put on all the time. I rewarded myself for reaching my goals with more activewear and, years later, it’s still something I look forward to when I’ve hit a goal. This year though, this year was… Joce, it’s time to buy new fitness clothes because it’s time to really hit those fitness goals again. I had to fight even more to get my gym time in this past bit, but it’s been worth the fight and I’m back baby, and now I’m sharing some of my favorite pieces of activewear that were part of my fitness journey (some I already had, and some are new).
I’ll link my favorite places I get my activewear for you right here. Some companies I work with and some I don’t, but man it would sure be fun to work with them all one day! ? I hope that from this blog post you will see the importance that I felt in fitting the fitness lifestyle into my life and maybe it can be something that inspires you.
God Bless!
xoxo, Joce
**In case you’re wanting more information regarding Jessie Hilgenberg’s Fitness Plans – https://www.jessiefitness.com/ Discount code: JOCE10 any plan you wish.
My favorites are Home Edition, Muscle Building one and JG40**
Links to My Activewear Favorites
Calia by Carrie Underwood – https://www.caliastudio.com/
Zyia – https://www.myzyia.com/dianaskinner/
Lole – https://www.lolelife.com/
Acta Wear – https://acta.grsm.io/jocelynmcclellan4466 Discount code: JOCELYN15
LuluLemon – https://shop.lululemon.com/
Nike – https://www.nike.com/
Adidas – https://www.adidas.com/us
Victoria’s Secret Sweaters – https://www.victoriassecret.com/vs/sport/shop-all?scroll=true
***You must also know that since the time that I made the choice to put my body first and started caring for my body, my mother suffered another potentially fatal heart attack that was even worse. She also went through another huge ordeal that, just by falling, she broke her femur and that just about killed her as well. It was a huge mess all due to her Osteoporosis and I’ve had to learn to fight the excuse of being “too busy” to put myself first because the “busy” can wait, but me not taking care of my health…that may go at any moment.
This active lifestyle…I did it for them!
Hello. This post was really interesting, particularly since I was looking for thoughts on this matter last Monday. Gertruda Iorgo Killarney
The best thing I did this year was to put me first, I hired a personal trainer and eventually I felt comfortable enough with my abilities to lift weights for me and not worry about the noise around me or in my head. Being strong is powerful, and being happy with yourself is an amazing gift to yourself.
Hello my friend! I want to say that this post is amazing, nice written and include almost all vital infos. I would like to see more posts like this. Pam Hal Tiga
By watching you in your stories I assumed you always enjoyed working out! You are always so inspirational! Thanks for your story and the steps you took to better yourself and your family with a healthier lifestyle!
Jocelyn, I want to tell you, you have inspired me, no I am not hundreds of people shouting your name, just me! I have hoped and prayed for your assistance. You have the enthusiasm, the will and the dreams of making a difference in people! I see all of this within every tutorial that I have watched and re-watched. I had almost given up hope. Until I watched your newest tutorial. You hit home, everything you were talking about, the giving to people, the love, not the sox saying true love! 🙂 And true story, giving up hope, well you might as well die. Or worse, giving up God! I can not do that! You connected with me, helping others, that is the meaning of true love! That as you well know, is God’s Word. Love for one another, and you hit the nail, as my Papa would say!
You inspire so so very many! I want to be me, but the best me I could ever want to be! Thank you my dear sweet Joce! So continue to pass the love, that is what He wants for each other to love one another!
Bee
Jocelyn this is truly inspiring. I love that you talk about the journey it’s been and not just a quick fix.
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You are a testament to putting your mind to a goal and the payment!!!!
You are so inspirational and joy to watch and learn from! I’m so glad that you kept popping up on my Facebook. Funny part is, I looked at your page because I loved your hair style! Keep up the amazing work you do!!
Love this blog, fitness is a very important part of my life. Very inspiring and interesting to see what got you going.
This was a great reminder to put myself first and start being active again. Thank you for being vulnerable and sharing your story! ?
This is very inspiring! It’s hard to make that time for fitness and self care when things are so busy. Thank you for sharing your story and motivating me!
Girl….im at that baby making stage right now and staying active is sooooo hard. I was an avid crossiftter until I was pregnant with my first, was super sick but then had a really bad fall that broke a couple ribs 14 weeks pregnant. Just had no 2 (this pregnancy came with its own obstacles such as hernias) and I keep telling myself I’m going to get back in it.
My mom suffers from degenerative arthritis and has had maybe 25 surgeries in the past 6 years bc of it. The awful thing is that she was really active until it hit. I know that if I don’t live an active lifestyle now though, if this happens to me it will be even worse if I don’t live a healthy lifestyle to begin with. At 35 my body is not going to get any better on its own.
Its good to know that others out there who are in the same boat are working so hard so they can inspire those like me to keep at it and not quit. Part of moving forward was also having surgery on my wrist just this week. It hasn’t been functional or allowed me to be active the way I want for years. I finally got it taken care of so there is one less excuse now!!
Thank you for always being real and sharing your story with us. You are truly inspiring!!
When I retired 3 1/2 years ago, I was unhealthy and out of shape, and stressed to the Max from my job. I began with Silver Sneakers exercise classes, and now I’m doing circuit weight machines, yoga and Pilates. My health and fitness has improved, but I still weigh more than I should. Your energy and enthusiasm has inspired me to work on my eating habits!
Love this post! Definitely the motivation I’ve been needing to take care of myself!
Wow. Nice to hear that you had to fight for this and it didn’t just happen. I always feel defeated before I start – I can do this!
Thank you so much for sharing your REAL story and being vulnerable. I, too, like to reward myself with new workout gear when I reach a goal. It is so important to put yourself first so that you can be the best version of yourself and that will spill over into everyone else. You rock!!
You have motivated me!! I need to start an exercise program for my physical and emotional health. Doing something for me and having me time is my 2021 plan.
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Thank you for sharing your story, as always! I used to be one who didn’t want to work out, and even when I was trying, I hated it and didn’t do it often enough. Quarantine actually got me to start 6 days a week, and I am finally actually addicted. I can’t believe I’m actually disappointed that I won’t be doing a workout on Christmas!
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