This girl?
Sad. (but very few knew this)
Feigning confidence (that most mistook for genuine confidence)
Working harder, not smarter. (and getting nowhere fast)
Frustrated with her current “path.” (career path, life path, fitness path…all of it)
…I don’t even recognize this girl anymore.
This is me.
The “me” I’ve always dreamed of being but never quite got there.
The “me” that is joyfully confident and not afraid to say so.
The “me” that loves her path…career, life, fitness, all of it.
The “me” that works smarter (not harder), always.
The “me” that is the happiest she’s ever been.
…I love this girl.
Honestly – I can’t properly put words to paper to adequately describe what this past year has meant to me. And for my sis. And our sisterly bond since we set foot in the barre n9ne studio on May 12, 2011 as the inaugural 60-day challengers and barre n9ne spokesmodels.
It’s been life changing, transformational, joy-filled, intention-driven.
Sure I could sit here and tell you how many pounds I’ve lost, how many inches I’ve whittled away and how many classes I’ve taken in the past year to get me where I am today. But that’s not what this is about. The numbers part is the obvious part. You can see it in the before/after pics clearly. What’s harder to show and share is the way I’ve changed on the inside.
This picture (below) was taken on May 12, 2012, one year to the day since we started the 60-day challenge. The look on my face and my sister’s face says it all: pure joy, happiness, confidence, pride. We did this.
All I can say is this: I am blooming right where I’m planted. And loving every single fit-filled moment.
…and I owe it all to the barre (n9ne).
EatDrinkBreatheSweat 
I think I just screamed in sheer joy out loud. I am filled with happiness for you. The picture is only one part of how amazing you are and how hard you’ve worked. Seriously, this is awesome!! Congrats and more!
Ahhh you are the cutest!! I love that my post made you scream out loud with joy. love, love, love!
You look AMAZING!!!! You two are absolutely motivation to attend Barre classes and I am so happy it makes you such a strong person both inside and out.
Aww thank you SO much Robin. I LOVE that this is motivating you to take up some barre classes where you can fit them in. So so cool (and def want to take a class with you!!!)
Check out those arms!! Ow!!
Congrats – you look (and sound) so HAPPY!!!!!
hahaha you make me BLUSH!! But thank you — its been an incredible year of hard work and a LOT of fun along the way 🙂
Made my eyes well up with tears! what an awesome accomplishment!
You look fabulisciuos!! Congrats.
I LOVE it – fabuliscious!!!!!!
Holy cow!!! You look amazing! Not just body wise but you just have a glow now. It’s so true that it’s not just a body transformation but a LIFE transformation. All the best to you!
I think that’s what I noticed most in the before/after pics as I was reviewing them the other day — I have a different “air” about me now, a glow – like you said. That glow is sheer joy bursting through. 🙂
You look amazing Jess!!! You are truly beautiful from the inside out. You always were, but the fact that you feel THAT much confident now makes it that much more meaningful. Good for you. Keep up the great work, you are on an incredible path!
Thank you Rachel!! It feels really good to finally feel comfortable being me, in my own skin, never apologizing for that fact either. I am who I am, take me or leave me. 🙂
Wow you look phenomenal Jess, absolutely beautiful. You have a glow about you today, so glad the year and the challenge went well for you. It’s on my wish list to go to one of you and Jolene’s classes
You have GOT to come back to visit soon Susan! You would love, love, LOVE this workout!! Miss you!!
I love your post sis! it screams happiness and joy and pride in this accomplishment…I am SO proud of us and more than anything, so glad we took this leap together. It’s been worth every single step. XOXO love you (hot stuff!!!)
I LOVE that we took this leap together — it was the best “look without leaping” moment ever. xoxo!! (asslap hottie!)
Jess, you are amazing!
haha aww thank you Jess!!
You look great. Every time I read your posts, I want to sign up for a Barre class right away!
I SO wish there was a studio close to you for you to try it. You’d totally dig it.
I am so happy for you!!!! It is amazing what finding the workout you love can do. You look incredible and strong.
YES!! Finding a workout you LOVE makes it not feel like a workout at all, it just becomes ingrained in your day-to-day, a true passion. I LOVE IT so much.
I love you girl! This makes me so happy; knowing how much you’ve grown over the past year. I love you confidence now. A real confidence!
I love YOU too. Thank you for being such a positive, uplifting and supportive influence on me this past year. You are the best.
OMG I love this (and you!) so much!!! You look fantastic – but what really shows is your smile. It’s not feigned – it’s 100% legit. You are amazing – I’m so glad I met you (and Jo!). 🙂
XO
That’s exactly what I see when I look at these pics – genuine happiness and joy. Nothing feinged, nothing forced. SO SO SO glad we found eachother and now you’re a full-on b9 addict too!!
love love loved reading this post! you and your sister are SUCH inspirational people. you’re inspiring many to find something they love and stick with it. and you look amazing!
That’s exactly right — if I can inspire just ONE person to seek something they LOVE to do? My job here is done. Seriously. 🙂
the biggest change i saw from the both of you was confidence! I love how tall you are standing, with a smile. You have always been beautiful. no doubt!
You know what? Scott said the same thing to me just the other day — he senses my confidence in how I hold myself. How I seem taller (even though I’m short!) because I hold my head higher, my shoulders back, my poise confidence. It was the best compliment he could have ever paid me!
You look awesome! Such a huge accomplishment! And proud of you for being more happy with where you are than how you look!
That’s the most important to me — being happy with ME, not the number on the scale or the size of my jeans.
Seriously, I just read Jo’s post and my eyes are tearing up because the two of you are so incredible inspiring. Your joy, confidence and happiness literally leaps off the page. How can that not be infectious?? Yes, you both look amazing but it’s that inner transformation that stands out the most.
Aww friend, you are so sweet to say that! I wrote this purely from the heart and if that passion and joy is infectious? I LOVE that.
So happy for you. You deserve this lady! 🙂 🙂
Thank you friend!! xoxo
Love how you are in the same outfit in both pictures. Congrats on your accomplishments, can’t wait to read about all your future accomplishments as well!
It was only fitting that I’d wear the same in both ya know? give it the full effect 🙂
WOW! Not that I didn’t already know that you look amazing, but YOU LOOK AMAZING! What an incredible journey you’ve been on. This post brings tears to my eyes – to see how happy you are, how hard you worked to get there, and how you work so hard to stay there and grow. Amazing and awe inspiring my friend!
Blushing…again!! You are the sweetest, friend. Seriously — this has been a ridiculous year of growth and learning. I feel so utterly blessed its not even funny.
Ohmigod, I can’t even begin to put into words what I’m feeling for you right now!!! Your journey has been such a great one to watch/read/see. “All I can say is this: I am blooming right where I’m planted. And loving every single fit-filled moment.” THIS is inspiring. SOOOOOO effing inspiring!!! I’m gonna go run now. LOL (Seriously. I am.) Your happiness shines through every word you write and every picture you post. I can absolutely, 100% see the difference (not just physically) in you now compared to then. Congratulations, friend. ❤
I can’t put into words what I’m feeling either — I am constantly at a loss when it comes to fully describing what this past year has meant to me and what the whole b9 “thing” continues to mean for me every single day. It’s incredible. I feel very lucky and so so so happy, its crazy.
PS I hope you had a great run 🙂
just gives me chills – you two are so inspirational and beautiful inside and out! those smiles say it all! congratulations!
you are so so so sweet, I heart you! thank you for being such a wonderful friend!
You look absolutely incredible! How inspiring!!!! Congrats!
THANK YOU so much 🙂 🙂
Yay, I looooooooove this!! And girl, you look fantastic!!!
Wheeeee to finding your passion and running with it!! 🙂
Awesome! What a great feeling—transformation is a wonderful thing, and you just proved it’s possible with intention, planning, hard work, and a lot of heart!
I’m all about the heart baby! Thank you for noticing that aspect 🙂
Girl you are amazing! That’s all I have to say 🙂
Aww! Thank you girl 🙂
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Amazing! WoW!
THANK YOU!!! 🙂
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AMAZING! So stoked for you. You and Jo are solid inspirations.
And I’m so STOKED for you my dear! Bring it ON!! 🙂
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