LOVE Yourself: Jill Carlucci
I met Jill a few years ago when I started seeing her for gyrotonics. I randomly discovered gyrontonics and soon became obsessed with the results. Personally this was an exercise that I wanted to incorporate as a preventive measure for my bad back. I always seem to be “rehabbing” things with my back. There is so much goodness that comes out of gyrontonics physically, but I also have really cherished getting to know Jill as a person throughout our time working out together. I’m very passionate about health and wellness (not only physically, but mentally) so naturally I like to chat about these topics especially with practitioners within this space. Per usual, it starts with little things like exercise, food, etc. And then I can’t help myself, I start chatting about how we talk to ourselves in our heads about our bodies and so forth. I know you have heard me talk about this a million times. 🙂
I truly respect how Jill lives her life and her philosophy on health. I think she has a realistic, balanced (all things in moderation) and gentle approach to health and wellness. I think Jill is a great role model for all of us in how to LOVE Yourself!
1. What does LOVEyourself mean to you?
To me it means giving yourself grace. No one can be perfect, and to be human is to be imperfect. I think loving myself means embracing all of the imperfections that make me who I am, and not apologizing for them.
2. Did you have a someone that exuded a positive body image for you growing up?
A family member, friend, mentor, etc. My mother was a wonderful role model for this. Growing up in the ballet world there was a lot of focus on body image which really did a number on me psychologically. My mom was a pillar of stability through it all. She was a tomboy who never really "worked out". She ate a healthy diet and was really focused on regular daily movement as exercise. Growing up she played ball with us, worked in the yard, gardened, took us on nature walks, and made a point not to sit still for too long. She had a lifestyle focused on feeling healthy and happy instead of what she looked like, and as a result she exuded beauty and happiness. I have tried to embrace that mindset.
3. Do you tear your body apart vocally?
Do you praise your body vocally? I don’t think I was ever too vocal on my body insecurities but growing up and as a younger adult I was EXTREMELY hard on my appearance and very negative in my head. This affected everything in my life, not just my body image. It has taken a long time and lots of internal reflection to come out of that negativity. I also don’t praise my body vocally, but I should! I wasn’t truly confident in my appearance until after I had two children. Now I am so thankful that my body brought life into the world and was able to recover and feel as strong and healthy as I do now. I couldn’t be more grateful to be in the body I was given and I try to take care of it like it has taken care of me.
4. Are you working to improve your mindset around body image or is it a neutral mindset for you?
It is always a work in progress. I try to focus on being in-tune with my body and that usually has a positive impact on how I feel overall. This mindset helps me understand what my body and mind need for fuel and it impacts my body image proportionately. My next goal is around aging gracefully and being proud to have wrinkles because that shows you have lived a life. That is my next work in progress!
5. Do you have anyone that you are trying to set a healthy example for?
I have two young boys so I want them to have realistic goals about body image and body positivity, which includes how to take care of their bodies with nutrition and exercise. Everyone always assumes it is just girls that have body image issues, but boys do as well. I also try to set an example for my clients. In fact one of my rules for clients in the studio is “no negative body comments”. Negative mindsets take over and poison all the positive work they are trying to accomplish with me. Working out for the sheer goal of losing weight makes exercise a chore or a punishment. I want them to know that we are working out and moving our bodies to FEEL good, and when you feel good you exude beauty and confidence.