How Jane's Morning Run Reminds Us That Self-Encouragement Wins Over Self-Criticism

Have you ever caught yourself in the middle of a workout — or any challenging moment — hearing that little voice in your head that says, “Push harder! Don’t quit! You should be better than this!”

One of my readers, Jane L. from California, shared something with me that I think we all need to hear. While out for her morning run, she reached the final hill feeling hot and tired. Instead of forcing herself to “gut it out” like so many of us have been conditioned to do, she paused and asked herself, “What did Marsha say about listening to your body?”

Jane decided to run halfway up the hill, then switched to lunges for the second half. She focused on working a different way and told herself, “Good job! You went just as fast and focused on a different muscle group. There was no negative self-talk. No guilt. No shame. Just acceptance and self-encouragement for getting out there."

When Jane texted me, she wrote:

“Thanks for helping to give me a framework for being kind to myself.”

I don’t know about you, but my heart just soared when I read that. It’s exactly why I do what I do—because being kind to ourselves is the missing ingredient in so many people’s health journeys.

What Can We Learn from Jane?

Jane’s story is a powerful reminder that:

✅ Listening to your body is not weakness—it’s wisdom.

✅ Changing your plan isn’t failure—it’s flexibility.

✅ Encouraging yourself works better than tearing yourself down.

When you stop punishing yourself with “shoulds” and start celebrating what you are doing, you create a healthier, more sustainable relationship with your body and your goals.

Try This Today

Next time you’re feeling tired, frustrated, or tempted to push through at any cost, pause and ask:

✨ “What would it look like to be kind to myself right now?”

You might be surprised how powerful that question can be.

Thank you, Jane, for sharing your moment of self-kindness—and reminding us all that there’s a better way.

If you’ve had your own ‘Jane moment’ lately, I’d love to hear it! Drop it in the comments below, or send me a message. Let’s celebrate these small but powerful shifts together.

And if you haven’t yet picked up my book, “The Secret to Lasting Weight Loss,” you can find it on Amazon — it’s full of real-life stories, practical tools, and gentle encouragement to help you build your own framework for self-compassion.

Grab your copy here:

Go to Amazon

With hope, love, and encouragement,

Coach Marsha