We’ve all seen the posts: You’re scrolling through your feed and there’s that one “friend” who practically lives at the local gym. They started lifting weights to get healthy and wound up taking it to a whole new level. All of a sudden their page is plastered with meal-prep photos and locker room selfies. Then before you know it, they’re doused in a spray tan and competing in body builder competitions.
Jolene Jones was that girl.
As she writes in an honest Facebook post, her transformation is unlike most:
“Body builder to body lover. This isn’t your typical transformation photo.”
Jolene Jones
After years of being so focused on molding her body, Jolene finally made the decision to be in charge of her life.
“I went from being controlled by my grueling gym regimen and weighing chicken and having protein shakes in my purse to fully enjoying a social life.”
To clarify, she didn’t just throw in the towel and decide to be unhealthy. She decided to prioritize what means the most to her. Beauty fades, but the memories we make last forever.
“Some people might say this is ‘letting yourself go’ but you can’t put a price tag on happiness. I call this finding myself and realizing I can have more than one passion in life.” She continues, “A six pack didn’t make me happy. I was never enough and always needing to improve.”
Not anymore. These days, Jolene is happier than ever—and it’s not because she has the picture-perfect body. It’s because she has the life she’s created—one surrounded by great community and carefree adventure.
Jolene Jones
“Today I went rafting with friends and enjoyed food the old me would have drooled over and wouldn’t have dared to touch. Your body is quite LITERALLY the only thing that gets you through this life, your worth and joy isn’t weighed by what you can lift or what the scale says. My worth is weighed by those I surround myself with and the smile on my face.”
It’s important to take care of your body, but God created each of us for so much more than counting calories and picking away at the beautiful being he created.
Jolene’s reverse-transformation is the reminder we all need today: You are not your weight. Because your life is worth SO much more than the number on the scale.
