Dinner was so tasty and was also healthy which was good since I’ve turned over a new leaf with eating properly. After we ate dinner, we went outside and play some ball with her boys. I love being around family, I don’t get much of that. I’m so thankful for her friendship and her helping towards of fitness/health goals. What a amazing woman she is, so strong and beautiful.

Afterwards my roommate and I went to sand volleyball league which is what we do every wednesday. I sat and watched my  friends play volleyball with my toes in the sand and the most beautiful sunset I’ve ever seen in Ohio. I shed a few tears, gave a few hugs, and held in words that I was dying to say but afraid to actually cry.

It was a great last day and a sad see ya later but I know I’ll be back and hopefully in time to spend a little bit of the summer with my roommate by the pool.

There are people that search their entire life to find out what they were placed on this earth, if you knew what your purpose was and you had the opportunity to live out out that purpose, wouldn’t you? If you had no kids, no significant other, and the ability to travel? Well, that’s my life right now.

]]> http://gijenn.com/2013/05/23/my-last-day-in-ohio-for-now/feed/ 0 gijenn Image Image Image http://gijenn.com/2013/05/22/my-journey-takes-the-road-less-traveled/ http://gijenn.com/2013/05/22/my-journey-takes-the-road-less-traveled/#comments Wed, 22 May 2013 13:01:38 +0000 gijenn http://gijenn.com/?p=1026 Continue reading →]]>

There are times in life where we must make decisions that aren’t exactly easy. These decisions have the potential to shape our entire future differently, but they must be made. Yesterday, on the way to work I called someone close to me telling them how It broke my heart not being with my U.S. Disaster Relief team. We talked about all the variables and how although I had a good job, It was a temp to hire job that wasn’t guaranteed. The job was good money and eventually (if hired) full benefits, but this job wasn’t my heart. Everyone know’s that I am not the kind of person that belong chained to a desk… I am not a 9-5er. If you are that person, there’s nothing wrong with that but it’s just not me. So, I walked into work that day knowing I was quitting. I don’t have a job lined up for when I get back other than my small business and a few other ideas. I have no clue how long I will be gone or what it’s like to be a part of tornado relief since i’ve only been a part of hurricane relief efforts but I do know that I made the right choice.. for me. I’ve been told it’s a mistake, I’ve been told Im going to fall on my fall when I get back but I know God will take care of me. I know that this is my leap of faith that I need to take and no one else needs to understand.

So, I will continue my journey in Moore, Oklahoma tomorrow. I hop on a plan in Detroit tomorrow at 3pm and will arrive in Oklahoma few hours later to join my team. I hope that you will be a part of this journey too. Ill post pictures and update frequently, I’ll need support and encouragement at times. Working sometimes 80+ hours a week for months takes it’s toll on your body and mind.

Peace and love to you all,

Jen

It will be a challenge to eat right out in the diaster relief field, it always is. You’re always on the go, rarely rested, and always stressed. I have found that eating organic is almost impossible out there (this is my 3rd deployment) however following a few rules will help me.

• No fast food
• No fried food
• No Soda
• Minimal Carbs (No white)
• Minimal Dairy 
• Protein with every meal 
• Only water (I drink Gatorade once in awhile too)

It’s not perfect but it will help me for the time I’m gone. Ill still run most days but I can’t say every day because sometimes you work 18 hours and it’s on your feet and physically demanding but work in itself will be exercise. 

Thanks for your support!

Good night world

In this season of being home, I was supposed to finally take time for me to heal from years of not taking care of myself. That includes my health and emotional pain. From a marriage gone wrong, to a cancer scare that continues to haunt me, and childhood trauma resurfacing, The last few years have been really hard for me. The goals were to move home (check), get a good job (check), Find a nice place to live (check), and get back on the road to being all ’round healthy… so here we are. All the ducks in a row and I’m embarking on this journey to best possible me. Does that mean skinny? No, that means healthy. Does it mean it’s going to happen over night? Of course not, this time I will not give up once I don’t see immediate results. The sad part is, I know how to do it right.. I’ve done it. I ate clean, worked my butt off and was in amazing shape a few years ago. But the difference was, I had a accountability partner. Dating a body builder who was quite possible harder on me than I was myself (for once), really made me push myself. The problem was, I became obsessed. Deep down, I terrified to become that girl again. It as not healthy even though physically I appeared to be.

So here I am, committing not to get skinny but to get healthy. Not to become perfect, but to be the best possible Jen. I am committing to not being on a diet but to changing my entire lifestyle. A lifestyle full of good habits and positivity. I will be running my first half marathon August 31, 2013 in the upper peninsula. I have someone committed to help me stay on track who happens to be amazing and a long distane runner. Tomorrow (really today) is our first day. I will document this journey to add another 1,500 people (my social media “following”) to my accountability. I’ll take pictures, videos, and write frequently. I’ll take about my downfalls and my successes. Most of all, I’ll be honest with you guys and myself.

So this is post 1 of many in a journey to loving myself, I hope you stick with me because I could really use the support. If you’re reading this and you too need to make some healthy changes, I hope we can be on the journey together, doesn’t have to be the same situation.