By forgetting about the number on the scale and learning to focus on feeling good, Jaclyn Iaquinto has blazed her own path to success.
Making a Change
When I was 25 years old, I had just had my first baby and was starting my new career in sales. I was out of shape and not very active. I wasn’t happy with the way I looked or with the way I was feeling. I knew I had to get healthy.
I have always eaten relatively clean, but I was really uneducated about which foods I should be fueling my body with. I used to think that eating less and doing tons of cardio was the answer to losing weight. I was obsessed with the number on the scale.
Finding Support
When I was training for my first fitness show, my husband supported me, encouraged me, and always helped me stay on track. There were a few times when I felt defeated or like I couldn’t continue with the training, and he was always there. He was always in my corner, pushing me and motivating me to continue and to go hard!
There are going to be people in your life that are not going to support you or agree with your choices, and that is okay. They will either learn to accept your choices and decisions or they won’t. They will either be there for you or they won’t. You have to go after what you want and if you fail one time, or even a hundred times, you should never give up! You will always learn from your failures and mistakes; that’s how we get stronger and better
The Balancing Act
Now, I don’t pay attention to the number on the scale. What’s most important is how I feel! I always try to stay on point by fueling my body with the right foods, eating five small meals a day, and always making sure to get my daily water intake. But I will allow myself the occasional treat or glass of wine—or both!
Obstacles and distractions always seem to happen, no matter how hard you try to avoid them. It took me a while to understand that falling off can sometimes happen, and that is okay! The most important thing to remember is that any mistake can be corrected. One bad day, one bad decision, or one bad meal does not make you a failure and it does not have to alter the rest of your journey
Reaping the Rewards
The gym is where I am the most comfortable. It’s where I can go to clear my mind and disconnect for an hour or two. It’s like my playground. I also love to travel. Whenever I can get away with my hubby for the week or even the weekend, I take full advantage of it! Disconnecting from work, emails, and phones for a few days helps me feel refreshed and recharged
To me, success isn’t measured by the amount of money you have in your account, by the big house you live in, or by the car in your driveway. Sure, if you can afford it, buy it! But it doesn’t mean it will make you happy. Success, to me, is when I can look back and see where I first started my journey and compare that to where I am now in my life. I find success in seeing how far I’ve come, and in appreciating all of the struggles and obstacles I had to fight and overcome to get where I am.
Photos by Chris V. Linton Follow (@chrisvlinton)
