The Picture that Changes Everything: Learning to Let Go

I take a lot of videos. I'm constantly demonstrating exercises and full workout programs in front of a camera.

​Do you want to know my high tech secret? I use my phone for all of it. I record, edit and upload all of my videos and pictures using my handy-dandy iPhone. Super sneaky, huh!
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Before editing, I always have these awkward few seconds of me walking away from the camera in to place and then back to the camera when I'm done. It's super dorky. 

But what gets me every time is the image I always capture last: me bending down to the camera to stop the recording...gut hanging out.

​There it is. That baby pooch, the reminder that I don't have a flat stomach anymore, and that I'm pretty squishy there.

​Me...the trainer, the fitness and nutrition expert, the strong momma. How embarrassing! 

Of course, in the moment I'm not even thinking about it. I'm focused on my video and the exercises I need to demo. My abs are relaxed and my body is just going through a motion. My mind is in a totally separate space. 

Before I see this picture, I'm only thinking of strength. I feel strong. 

I'm focused on technique and body awareness. 

I feel fit and pain free. 

I feel fast, powerful and capable of trying anything physical. 

I want to keep doing all of this just to see how much more this body can lift, jump and stretch! 

I'm in a mind space where I'm pursuing fitness for all the right reasons...positive, uplifting and empowering reasons. 
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And then I see the picture. It suddenly and horribly changes everything. 
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I immediately revert back to disgust. 

I want to change and "fix" this baby pooch. 

I think about losing weight, and I think about what I should stop eating. 

I only care about getting rid of this so it somehow looks flat in pictures. 

It immediately becomes the one and only reason to workout anymore. 

How awful. How discouraging, petty, juvenile and deceptive.


With one picture, a black, depressing cloak is pulled over all the good and important reasons to chase after fitness. 

I'm sharing this because I want to face it head on. It's clearly the part of my body that I feel the most self conscious about. And I hate this. I hate that my mind still goes there.

I hope that by sharing this "out loud" with you, I will feel accountable to these thoughts, holding them captive the next time they saturate my brain. Because I know they're lies. I know that the enemy is trying to distract me and pull me down into his world of self-pity and loathing. 

"When he lies, he speaks his native language,
for he is a liar and the father of lies." John 8:44

"But I am afraid that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds will be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ." 2 Corinthians 11:3

"Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil." Ephesians 6:11
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Where is your mind at?
What thoughts swirl around in your mind when you see a picture of yourself? What happens when you step on the scale and see a surprising number? What happens in your heart when you are presented with these images? 

Through my years of coaching women, this is the number one struggle. A mom will share with me how fit, strong and comfortable she feels in her body, only to have those feelings shredded apart when she steps on an uncooperative scale. It negates all of her hard work and positive outlook. For some reason the number matters more than how she feels.

For some reason a random photo at an awkward angle matters more than what she knows to be true about her body.  

Think about your spot...the one area that makes you go "ugh".

Now, acknowledge that dwelling on this spot is not doing anything positive in your life. Recognize that you might be becoming deceived, distracted and led astray from the simplicity and purity of pursuing fitness.


Think about what matters more.
Are you stronger than you were last year? Do your joints move and function well? Can your body do whatever you ask it to do? Do you feel healthy, deeply healthy from the inside out? ​​

​Are your thoughts pure toward your body? It's a hard question to answer, but the moment you pinpoint those lies, you will enjoy your body again. You will love the process, not dread it. And you might just find yourself as a Strong Momma, standing strong against the schemes of the devil. 

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If this perspective is ringing true with you, let me help you chase after it even more! Join the Strong Mommas Membership and gain access to complete workouts, nutrition guidance, meal plans, and daily support that lifts you up and encourages you every step of the way. Right now is the best time to join! Receive $10 off your first two months! Click here to learn more and register!