Janelle Brown: Hit Like A Girl…No, Hit Like A Stressed Out Girl

12/17/2012

Janelle Brown of Sister Wives is Kody's second wife. Follow along on her journey forward to weight loss and a healthier lifestyle.

I have a new favorite workout. It is a counseling session, stress buster and a super intense arm workout combined with a shot of cardio: My new magic bullet is boxing.

I remember the first time I put on boxing gloves. They felt hot and awkward. I was told to hit the big bag hanging in front of me. That is when I short-circuited. I had a huge mental block at the idea that I was to actually throw my fist and make contact with something on purpose. I must have sat there for two or three minutes. I was consciously telling my fist to move, but it wouldn't. The electrical impulse of thought ended at the shoulder. I did finally manage to throw my first punch. It was a weak pathetic thing. My glove made contact and I felt the impact through my hand on up through the wrist and into the forearm. The next hit was more purposeful. I braced the muscles and laid a solid hit moving the punching bag several feet. I was hooked!

It is hard to explain the surge of adrenaline accompanied by the rush of stress and emotion as it leaves my body with each strike. I sometimes feel anger and stress welling up from deep inside even when I am not stressed out or angry. It is a release of long buried emotion. It is not emotion tied to any one particular person or thing, it just comes. I will admit I often see faces of different people on the punching bag! It isn't anything personal, or emotional even being expressed towards that person in reality, and I certainly don't really want to hit them. It is just a release.

When the workout is through I am spent. I’m in a euphoric state. It feels like I have just had an ugly fight with someone and the air is now clear. Boxing was my very first experience with pushing myself beyond the idea I had in my head of what my physical boundaries were. I once took a self-defense class and I remember the instructor saying how hard it was for woman to yell and scream even when being attacked. For me throwing the first punch was like that. We have these culturally placed boundaries on what is "ladylike." I had unconscious boundaries on what this “fluffy” 43-year-old woman could do and I boxed my way through them. Boxing is now my “go-to” workout, my “reward” workout. It is the workout I often turn to when I don’t feel like working out. It is my reminder that I can do it even if I don’t think I can.

Get updates from Janelle on Twitter @JanelleBrown117 and @TLC!

Related Links

• Healthy Holiday Food Guide
• 5 Ego-Boosting Exercises
• 8 Ways to Beat Stress
• Weight Loss Quiz

Comments

[Janna]

Good for you Janelle!! After watching last nights episode, I'm really rooting for you and wishing you the best!

[Carly]

Im a mother of two and married to such a great guy. Im also a christian woman who trusts, believes, and loves the Lord with all my heart. I just wanted to pass along a little message to you and your family. Not sure if you will read this or not...I have to be honest here and state that I don't agree with your lifestyle however I do absolutely adore your family. It is very clear that there is love and that should be the root of any family. I'm so thankful that we have the ability to choose how we live and do it freely.. I look forward to Sunday nights when I can get a glimpse into your lives.. Thank you for opening your homes to the world. Incredibly brave!

I also wanted to add that I've lost 55 pounds since June!!, it can be done. I know it's not that simple but it was all about will power for me.

God bless! ..and merry christmas!

[Tonya]

I'm so happy to see you blogging. I enjoy your family's show, and you are absolutely my favorite adult on the show! You are so classy, respectful, intelligent and kind. What a positive role model for all of the Brown kiddos!

[Melissa]

So proud of you! Thank you for allowing us to follow your journey. You are remarkably honest and its easy to relate to you because you are. We believe in you. Believe in yourself and you will achieve 170 by this time next year!

[Marlyn]

Hi Jenelle. I am really rooting for your weight loss! I just wanted to suggest a workout that really got me going and changed my whole life! It is called Crossfit. Maybe look into it I know it would benefit you and if you love that after workout feeling you will really love crossfit. Plus it gives you results really fast! Good luck to you on your journey!

[Rayless]

Great post! It's wonderful that you're sharing your journey. I look forward to reading (and watching) more.

[Renee in Oak Park MI]

Hello Janelle! You CAN lose the weight. You need to be here for your kids, your sister wives & your husband. I am 90 lbs over weight and have 13+ years on you. It is so much harder as we age. Even though I am not of your religion, I would welcome the idea of sister wives. Be strong, keep on keeping on and may God Bless you and your family.

[SRB IV]

Janelle, you are the glue that holds your family together. I just wanted to say that I completely respect you and your writing, but I wanted to humbly suggest that you write about other aspects of life and family as well! You are too smart to be a one trick pony! I want to hear what you have to say about lots of different things!

[Plygadelphian]

I just wanted to say that I love your blog. Keep it up! You are my favorite of your Sister Wives, because you are so smart and self assured, and not the least because you don't dress like a would-love-be-15 again (cough, 1st wife, cough). I really loved watching the connection between you and Christine in Lehi. Sobbin Robyn is sweet, if a bit feeble-minded.

[Ashley]

Janelle- I am watching the show right now and just want to encourage you to KEEP GOING with the weight loss! I just recently reached my goal of losing 90 pounds! I know there are times when it seems hopeless and so far away but YOU CAN DO IT!!! I never thought I could achieve it either but I proved myself wrong. If you stay positive and motivated anything is possible!!!

[HAROLD GOLD]

I wonder how these polygamists who are so happy in their "loving families" so much so that we do not understand would react if the women wanted multiple husbands? The husbands in these polygamist relationships have it made. They get to sleep with a different woman every night and their wives condone it. I would like to see the shoe on the other foot for a change and these women take multiple husbands. I will bet that will change the minds of the polygamist husband cowards in a "heartbeat."

[Sharon Hudson]

I am so happy to see you are bloging about your family. I also strougle with weight loss. I just want to say keep up the good work and it will come off and you will be a better person . Good luck.

[michelle]

Good for you! I have to say that is great to see you take time for you and not worry about your sister wives drama. I think you are the part of the show that makes it real. You are truthful on finances and what is fair or in the best interest of the family. I feel bad that you have been crapped on so much, so I can see why working out is relieving stress. good luck in your journey!

[Lisa]

I admire you very much, Janelle. As you help yourself, you help a lot of other people in the process.

[Colleen]

U go just do it one day or even one minute at a time some days r just like that LOVE UR FAMILY wish I had sister wives.

[Karyne]

I love you guys! I love your lifestyle, and could easily see myself living like this!!! I think you guys are living the gospel to the fullest and raising bright, responsible, smart children. What more could the world want? Keep up the good work!

[Nan]

You're a beautiful and intelligent woman, Janelle, and so many of us are here wishing you the best. Boxing is a wonderful workout and we hope that you continue and, who knows...become a boxing champion.:) Your going to get fit in no time doing this.

[Danelle]

Janelle, u and the family are such awsome people. I enjoy ur blogs and the show of course. Watchin u guys makes me feel like part of the family. When everyone was saying by to drake i was seriously crying with everyone. I weighabout 240 and reading ur blogs and watching workout and juggle kids and work everyday help motivate me to start lossing wieght and finding a schedule for me. Thank you for shareing ur life with us it is seriously appriciated. :-) <3

[Francesca]

Hi Janelle,

I congratulate you on finding the courage to share with us the your struggles and your accomplishments. I admire your strength. I think you are a beautiful person and you are not alone in your battle against weight loss. I have fallen off the band wagon (more than once) with exercise when I started going back to school this year. I am a mother and I work full time. So, it has been hard to even just stay mobile with the demands of everything. Exercise is something we all must do in order to stay healthy, even if we dread it. I think you will flourish and come out looking even more fabulous. I am a big fan of the show. Keep up the good work.

[Leslie]

I agree that boxing and kick boxing are the best workouts for the same reasons you state. It's not like you want to beat anyone up but when the workout is over, you feel like you just won a battle. Love your family and your blog.

[Roxanne]

I think you are the most beautiful lady out of all the wives as you have stayed true to yourself! You can do anything you set your mind to & all I can say is, keep on doing what you are doing at its best. Good luck to you!

[Shelley]

Janelle: is there a way for you to look at/consider bariatric surgery? I had lap band surgery 3 yrs. ago and have lost 80 lbs. and have kept it off! Good luck to you! ❤

[kristen]

Just wanted to say i love the show! You guys are a great family. Dont let anyone bring you down!

[Barbara]

Love, your show! My family thinks I'm crazy for watching your show but, I love too see how other people live. I have always thought - what ever works for you, is ok with me. It's not for me to judge, now is it? I saw the show when you said you had like 100lbs. to lose. I also have 100lbs. I'd love to lose. Can't wait to follow your progress. I have started over & over on a new diet so, many times. I will be 52 in April and really want to go into 2013 healthy & happy! I wish all the Browns - Love, Hugs and Prayers. :)

[Susan]

Janelle,
I have been reading your blogs this evening, thank you so much for sharing your accomplishments and struggles with the world. I too struggle with my weight, and I think I always will.. but you give me hope that someday I will get it right! I enjoy the show so much, and always look forward to Sunday evening so I can watch it..I think your family is awesome!