Janelle Brown: Learning to Walk

01/15/2013

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

As I watch our little toddler, Solomon, play around, I notice how effortlessly he picks himself up, even after a fall. It is as if he simply believes he can stand up and walk, and so he does. He never falls down and says, “Wow, that hurt, so I am never going to try walking again.” As I watch him again and again, I am struck again by the miracle of how our children grow and develop.

But Solomon didn’t just stand up and walk one day. There were little benchmarks, little progressions each day. First he rolled over. I am sure he was surprised when it happened. He probably had no idea that his body would move that way until it did. Then, he probably figured out how to balance himself in a sitting position, and so on and so forth.

I found that as I became active again, I had lost much of the basic belief that my body would move a certain way. In some cases, I had truly lost basic functionality and had to work to regain it. Like Solomon, I have had to, and continue to work through, different stages of physical ability, rebuilding and re-teaching my body to move in the way it is intended to. But even when there is ability, there are strong mental barriers that keep me from doing certain things -- a very fundamental belief that somehow my body will never be healed, that I will never move like the athletes I watch every day. And while mental, this “barrier of belief” is very real. I have lost the faith of a baby learning to walk.

The time came to take the metaphorical first step, and I am happy to report that I have stood up to and conquered one of these barriers. I am now running sprints for the first time since I was in elementary school. It doesn’t mean that all of the doubt is gone. I still feel it each time I get ready to run, but it is less and less each time. And today during warm-up, my fitness mentor had me try a new workout progression. He demonstrated and I laughed at him. I knew I had been preparing and could do each part of the progression, but to put them together was a completely different story. I tried and I succeeded, truly amazing myself. I felt another piece of my body confidence click back into place.

There are days when I fall down. The first time I pulled a muscle I felt defeated. But I hope to be like Solomon learning to walk. I want to think and do without doubt.

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

Related Links

• 5 Ego-Boosting Exercises
• How to Find Your Healthy Weight
• Control Cravings with Breakfast
• Weight Loss Quiz

Comments

[Jessica @ Prayers and Apples]

congrats on the sprints!! :) it is amazing how babies just believe they can do things and so they do... sometimes i think all of life is just about clearing out the clutter until we get back to all of things we knew when we were little! ..keep up the great work! :)

[Holly]

Hi Janelle,
Very good analogy, and its wonderful the way you put it all together in a way that makes perfect sense, and then move forward to success, even when its difficult.

You write very well.

Keep up the good work!

Holly

[Alexa]

Wouldn't it be nice to move so effortlessly like a baby or small child? It would be even nicer to have their energy!

[connie krozel]

Wow. Powerful connection. We are our biggest obstacles sometimes.

[Jordan]

Awesome view on things! Keep up the great work!

[Karen McKee]

Way to go! You have made me look at exercise in a whole new light. I can relate to your feelings about moving in our bodies. We adjust when we are heavier. I have lost 70 lbs and am discovering I can do things I could not 70 lbs ago. Thank you for the reminder with the analogy of Solomon. Keep up the good work Janelle!

[Joseph Rinaldo]

Janelle, I was moved by your comments, and I wish you the very best on your journey. We miss you and the family every Sunday night. We hope all goes well for all of you, and we want you to know you have our prayers and support.
Thanks.
JRinaldo

[Becky Vasey]

So glad you are getting things done. I wish I could move like a baby again, I'm watching my 7 mo old grand baby and I know soon keeping up with her will be hard. Good luck on your jounery. God is good.

[Leana Olivas]

Has sister wives show ended? I have enjoyed getting to know each of you and watching the children grow and see how struggles are handled etc.. Although I do not believe in that sort of lifestyle...I am happy to see alternatives portrayed from the radical groups. It has been interesting.
Wish you the very best on your better health journey.

[Amber]

Congrats! I hope to work up to that someday myself. Thanks for being inspirational!

[Sheila Foster]

WE so love your show Sister wives. And can relate on so many levels. Would love to meet all of you. Keep up the positive show.

Sheila and Dan Foster

[Frances Pierce]

Congratulations Janelle!
As a Certified Health Coach, I am super proud of you! Keep up the good work and stick close to your mentor!

[Patricia]

Love your show, always enjoy seeing all the kids and how you all get along. My family is special to me and I can see yours is too.. Keep on keeping strong you can do it.

[Jody]

Janelle,

You are a motivating person and I love the way you think. Love your new hairdo as well.

[Louise Wehser]

Congratulations. I too am on this journey like Solomon. I commend you. Baby steps. The weight is not the issue, it is a by product. Believe in yourself and love yourself. I will look forward to following your progress.
I have rheumatoid arthritis and am on the same journey on adapting a busy life style into a world of physical limitations. But I too am learning that there really are no limitations, just a different road

[marian gallant]

I love love love the way you write. Yes I'm learning from you, but the way you write..........God given talent.

[Jennifer Bodine]

Janelle YOU ROCK!!! So inspirational!!!

[Sandy]

Janelle, your blog posts are always inspirational. Thanks so much for taking the time to write them.

[Ella]

Janelle, have you ever considered motivational speaking. You are an absolute natural at it and I think alot of people would benefit from you. I know I do each week.

[megan saari]

Janelle,
I'm inspired by your commitment to exercising & trying to live a healthier lifestyle! When I was younger, I was always physically fit and in a healthy weight range. Things changed for me after having to have three major back surgeries, & I'm fighting an illness called Lupus...which can be debilitating & painful at varying levels. So now, I am over weight, and terribly out of shape. It is NOT an easy task to lose weight or to try and wake up muscles you have not used for along time!
What a gift you have to be able to have help doing your exercises! Just to give that extra incentive/push to keep going! Your inspiring many people with your journey:) I wish you the best, and enjoy watching your family's show....I wish the season was longer!
All of the best!

[Cindy]

Janelle, it is amazing that I had the same revelation today! I needed to get in the attic, no small feat since our ceilings are 10 ft. high. As I stood on the very top of the ladder, all I had to do was lift myself about 4 inches up to the ledge and scoot back, like sitting up on a counter. I was so afraid, it took me a good 10 minutes of standing there to convince myself I could still do this! I was climbing on roofs less than 10 years ago, how can this be so difficult?? I too am on a journey to rebuild and recover from too long sitting on the sidelines. We are proud of you and all that you are accomplishing! Don't give up!

[Stephany]

Goof for you Janelle! For removing the word can't from your vocabulary and moving forward! I'm so happy for you and can't wait to see your progress! :) keep up the hard work because you will definitely reap the rewards!

[Tina Summers]

Hi Janele, what a beautiful reminder of how all of us can learn so much from children. I'm in the process of getting up yet again! Thanks!

[chelita]

Janelle why don't you get weight loss surgery? after all it is the ideal treatment for obesity..
They are some wonderful Doctors in LAs vegas.. if not look for international centers of excellence across the world that do bariatric surgery

[liz]

janelle you are my favorite wife, you are smart, funny, charming, and beautiful too...love to read your blog and get some of your insights