The Your Level Fitness Podcast 007: Jason Harper
Where’s the best place for listeners to connect with you?:
What’s one habit you do almost daily?: Eat at least one meal or snack per day that is completely raw fruits or veggies.
What’s one of your normal routines?:
Preparing for success. If I don't lay out my running clothes the day before it gives me an easy out to not run, so the night before I'll get my running clothes out for the next day. I have no excuse after that.
How long did it take for the above habit and routine to stick? :
I am an all-in kind of guy. I've never found it hard to flip the switch when I was inspired to, but that hasn't happened often. Four years ago I decided one day to start eating plant based and start running, and it stuck. I didn't ease into it.
Describe your weight loss journey.:
Mine has beg typical. Trying "diets" and either failing miserably or succeeding in the short term then packing on all the weight I lost. Going plant based was another try, but I was surrounded by a great local support group that kept me accountable and challenged me. My wife got on board and we had fun with learning this new way of eating, I learned more about food than I ever have, and the education has made all the difference.
What’s a skill you developed as a result of working through your weight loss journey?:
I'm more understanding of other people's journeys and the things that work to derail them. I feel like I can be of more help now having tried and failed so many times.
What has that skill led to outside of weight loss?:
I'm a more compassionate leader because I don't focus on people's failures, but instead focus on what we can do to learn and grow.
What have you learned about yourself over the last year or so?: I'm stronger than I ever thought I was. I keep taking on hard challenges, and while I'll never be the best, there is victory in taking on things that most would not.
What suggestion would you make to anyone working through their own weight loss journey?:
Educate yourself! Why are you taking on a new way of eating? What are these foods that you are choosing to eat doing to and for your body? Listen to how these foods make you feel. Don't follow the new had blindly. Know why this new lifestyle is a good one. Don't just follow the masses. Diets aren't one-size-fits-all.
What resources would you recommend listeners check out?:
Missing Chins Run Club “shhh…”
What are you working on now (or planning for the future)? Doesn’t have to be fitness related : Recently signed up for a virtual race across Tennessee. 600+ miles between May 1st and August 31st.
Is there anywhere else you’d like to point listeners to? Please provide link if possible:Instagram was a life saver for me. So much inspiration and information. I found like-minded people and connected. There is a wealth of knowledge and experience in IG, and I have found that most are eager to share the knowledge and resources they have.
