Raising Roses and Barbells: My Wellness Journey

I've been pretty good at creating a wall of excuses around myself for the past couple of years. Everything from my fertility to breastfeeding, to maintaining my milk supply, to the ever-assuring love and acceptance of my husband was conveniently put to use as an excuse to put off losing weight. This realization didn't come as a thunderous epiphany; it was more of a slow, simmering frustration. Why did it seem so easy for others to reach their health and fitness goals? Why was I stuck in a loop of excuses and inaction? Comparison is often called the thief of joy, but in this case, it served as a wake-up call. Without getting into specifics, I will tell you that this wake-up call pushed me into a phase of intense self-reflection. I had to confront the unpleasant fact that I had issues with procrastination and a lack of motivation, and was avoiding the long-term work required. Overcoming these hurdles is no easy task. To tackle the procrastination issue, I'm trying to use a me...

Today, I'm sharing something a bit personal—the experience I had buying clothes that actually fit my current body. It was a long and tough decision process, filled with denial and a dash of hope that I could somehow rush my weight loss journey. But here's the truth: keeping tight, ill-fitting clothes as a motivation to lose weight faster is pretty toxic. And I can't let myself fall down that hole. A sale with a tempting 40% off tag gave me the final push. Admittedly, the online shopping experience was not what you'd call a walk in the park. Getting out the tape measure to take accurate measurements was daunting, to say the least. Seeing numbers that didn't align with my ideal body shape was a bitter pill to swallow. But let's be real here—those numbers don't define me. They never have. And the way I look is probably the least interesting thing about me. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Jess 🌹 (@barbells.and.roses) Trying...

Hello there! I’m Jess. I’ve been spinning plates for a while now, balancing full-time work, caring for my energetic one-year-old, and trying to reclaim my pre-pregnancy body. Sounds simple, right? Here’s the skinny: I’m currently tipping the scales at 185 pounds, a solid hike from my pre-pregnancy weight. My past life included powerlifting and bodybuilding, but these days I prefer to clock my active minutes with stroller walks and gardening. While these might not burn as many calories as a rigorous gym session, they keep me moving and let's be honest, baby toes in the grass outshine any gym view. So, why this blog? I aim to hit 145 pounds, my pre-pregnancy weight where I felt my best. But I’ve learned the hard way that shedding the baby weight isn’t the cakewalk it’s often made out to be. And I want to bust that myth wide open. This journey is about embracing the challenges, celebrating small victories, and accepting that progress is often a messy, imperfect process. My philosophy ...