About CreatingJoi

If you are looking to put away the scale for good, eliminate the cycle of poor dietary habits, and truly own who you are right where you are today, then you’re in the right place.  This is a space dedicated to the cultivation of happiness through self care and an authentic account of my journey to health and fitness.

Hi, I’m Joi. I’m deep into my thirties. I’m the wife of a retired United States Marine and the mother of two amazing little girls. As a NASM/AFAA certified personal trainer, I have a passion for all things health. My primary sport is running. I love the half marathon, but my interests include weight lifting, yoga, group fitness, and boot camp styles of training as well.

CreatingJoi was born out of my desire to find freedom from obesity, disordered eating, and negative self image.  Each day that I’m blessed with is an opportunity to set new intention and express pure love and appreciation for myself. I do struggle, but my goal is to remain focused on principle, not frustration.

Quite truthfully, I’m still figuring things out, but what gives me some authority is experience. I’ve struggled for a lifetime and finally, finally, finally I’ve found some ways to shift my mindset, make health a priority, and maintain results.  It’s taken years and years of practice to understand a few things about how this path to health and fitness really works and I want to share my journey with you in hopes that I can be helpful.

Here’s what I’ve learned:

• I Don’t Have to be Perfect And, guess what? Neither do you. If you’ve been on as many diets as I have, counted calories and/or points, or exercised when your body was screaming for rest then you know it’s relatively easy to get caught up in trying to be perfect. In fact, we can become so caught up in the regimen that we suck the joy out of the process. A healthy diet and exercise should nourish not deplete.
• Everything Must Be Done in Love Hear me out, it is impossible to make a lasting change in your life if your motivation is fueled by negativity, punishment, or self-loathing. Trust me on this.
• Every Season is Not About Gains or Losses There are times when I am dedicated to making improvements in my spiritual, physical, and mental health. There are also times when I’m just coasting along and maintaining my sanity. This is a part of the process. It’s okay if I’m setting goals to lose five pounds or improve my 5k. It’s also okay if I’m a little off my nutrition track because, you know, life. It’s all about give and take. There are seasons of generous amounts of flexibility where maintenance is the only goal.  Just the same, there are seasons where cleaning up nutrition and having a concrete workout plan are in order. Wherever we are, we are worthy of equal amounts of grace, love, and appreciation.

Wherever you are in your journey, I’m glad you found me. We’re in this together and I hope we can become friends.

“Two are better than one…For if they fall, one will lift up [her] companion.” Eccleiastes 4: 9-10.

Let’s do this!

Peace, Love, and Joy,

Joi