Meet Joleen: January's Most Inspiring Member

The idea — to journal her workouts — started out slow and simple. A couple of years ago, members of Eau Claire Moms on the Run were given notebooks. It took two years, but Joleen Bauer of Eau Claire Moms on the Run filled that journal. We love her commitment and desire to make a change — one day at a time, and for that, Joleen is January's Most Inspiring Member. May this idea inspire you too!

For a little background, Eau Claire franchise owners Sarah and Shelly shared: "Our theme over the past year has been Progress over Perfection. As women, there are times when doubt or disbelief can creep into areas of our lives, and our fitness journeys can be one of those areas. Sometimes, it can be hard to see the bigger picture. Using a journal to track your progress can be a great way to see the small but significant changes that we choose to make day to day. A couple of seasons ago, we handed out Moms on the Run notebooks to our members with the intent that they would use them however they saw fit in their lives. Recently, one of our members, Joleen, filled every page of her journal. We were so inspired by her that we asked her to share a little bit about what her MOTR journal meant to her."

Joleen (in green) and her teammate Laura

"I have always loved muscle: how it looks, how it shapes the body and how it makes you strong," Joleen explains, "Completely envious of those who have them  — and knowing that they invested in themselves enough to earn them. I have been on a rollercoaster my entire adult life trying to stick to a strength routine but nothing has proven to last. And most likely I wasn’t mentally ready. The idea of sticking with something intense for the rest of your life is a bit daunting — especially on the days that you REALLY don’t want to do it. The MOTR notebook gave me a beginning.

I started out slow — only a few exercises 3 times per week so I didn’t overwhelm myself. As a couple weeks passed, the book allowed me to see that I was doing something even when I couldn’t see any noticeable improvements. But it certainly made me stronger mentally which fueled my desire to keep pushing forward. So I added more exercises and kept to my three times per week routine. I even added a fourth day some weeks just focusing on one area. And then one day I noticed it was easier to go up and down stairs or pick up the full laundry basket or that my jeans fit differently or that I just had more energy. It adds up. It just takes time. I completed the MOTR notebook almost two years to the exact date I started. Not often do I say I am impressed or proud of myself, but I am with this. So I went out and bought another notebook and I’m continuing my journey. I’m certainly nowhere near where I want to be, but I’m better off than I was.

​Some helpful tips that work for me: Keep the notebook in plain sight so you see it every day; put a reminder on your phone; and have a dedicated place in your house where you exercise. And most importantly, forgiveness. For the week you may have only gotten two times in, there may be a week you got four. Balance. Progress is never perfect."

Thank you for sharing your idea and accomplishment with us, Joleen. Congratulations on being named our Inspiring Member of the Month.

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