UPDATE TO THIS POST: I’m now Dr. Jennifer Turner!

______________________________________________________

Original Post:

Greetings MAD COOL FITNESS CREW and Happy Monday!

It’s been a minute since my last post and for that I apologize. So where have I been? STUDYING.

I entered the Doctor of Public Health Program at Rutgers School of Public Health in September of 2014. It’s been two long years of late night, weekend and summer studying. As of October 2016, I have taken all of the coursework and just passed the qualifying exams.

I am happy to say I have advanced from being a doctoral student to being a doctoral candidate! I am officially moving forward with my dissertation!!!

The exam was EPIC, literally the toughest thing I’ve ever had to study for, by far, compounded with juggling a new job and MAD COOL. This was an exam I needed to pass so suffice it to say, I have been under enormous stress over the last few weeks.

How did I manage to not crack up and hold myself like Sofia in the Color Purple?? My workouts.

They anchored my day and got me started on the right foot. Now I’m not going to lie, I did not have the best workouts over the last few weeks. I was tired because I had to stay up late studying. And because I stayed up late I was eating more, nothing crazy but definitely more than I would normally eat and also later.

Thank goodness my workouts kept my weight in check so I didn’t end roll into my exams looking like one of the Klumps, but I did make the decision that passing my exams and moving forward to doctoral candidacy was the priority and worth a temporary sacrifice in not being my most snatched ever.

My focus over the last few weeks was to maintain the habit of working out every day and shift my workout focus from accomplishing specific goals to just maintaining my daily commitment; once I passed, I figured, I would get some sleep and beast out again.

And that’s what happened. I passed my exams, got some sleep and am now back on track.

What’s the lesson for you?

Your fitness like your life is dynamic and you must adjust to life’s circumstances.

You may be stressed out of your mind. Literally having Exorcist Linda Blair moments at multiple moments during the day (I sure did!) but you must maintain the habit of daily physical activity, never wavering in your commitment to being healthy.

You will feel better, and once you get through your stressful time (and you will), it will be that much easier for you to get back into the swing of things.

What makes getting back on track easier? If you never really got off.

That’s it. I’m back, and so thrilled to be one step closer to becoming Dr. Jennifer Turner.

Go get ’em.

Jennifer (Doctoral Candidate) and Your MAD COOL FITNESS CREW

fitness mad cool monday motivation motivation

Featured Jennifer's Posts Mavens MCF Blog