Every other week, Sonja Joubert takes a video of herself trying on the same green dress and posts it on Instagram, where she has more than 34,000 followers.
In the reel, she turns this way and that, her long, red hair floating past her shoulders, and points out where the fabric now feels looser and how far the zipper in the back can go up.
This is just one part of the Air Force spouse’s plan to use her husband’s six-month deployment to ramp up her efforts to improve her physical and mental health.
“I chose this time while my husband is on deployment to really double down on consistent working out and focus more on my nutrition,” said the mother of two, who currently lives on Shaw Air Force Base in South Carolina. “But most of all, I chose right now because I needed something to focus on. It helps keep me occupied and less lonely.”
And the story behind the dress? Sonja wore it on her wedding day as her “exit” dress, and set out to use it as a non-scale measurement of her progress.
“I absolutely love the dress and the memories it holds, and I haven’t been able to fit in it for a few years,” she said. “So I’m really excited to be able to hopefully fit into it again soon.”
To achieve her goals, Joubert focuses mainly on three things: lifting weights five to six days per week, getting 10,000 steps a day and watching what she eats. Although she doesn’t follow a specific diet and still allows herself treats and carbs, she aims for high-protein options and avoids processed foods, high fructose corn syrup and refined sugar. She also tries to drink a gallon of water a day.
Joubert’s followers cheer her on as she checks in about her weight loss, chronicles her routine and meals, and gives a glimpse into the life of a military spouse. One way she sets herself apart is how honest and open she is about what she has overcome.
She frequently posts about her struggles with body acceptance and positivity, post-partum depression and how she balances her health and fitness journey with the demands of being a mother.
Although she said working on her goals while solo parenting can be challenging, she’s found a few methods that work for her, including using a gym with child care so she can work out and have time to herself to decompress.
Her biggest tip for those who want to work toward a weight loss or fitness goal is to stay consistent.
“Just start! Even if it’s only 10 minutes of movement a day,” she said. “You might be surprised when the 10 minutes ends and you realize you feel up to another 10, or even 20.”
Joubert said that having this journey to focus on has helped the time go by faster.
“Also, one of the biggest things that helps me stick with it — especially when I start missing my husband or start feeling overwhelmed with solo parenting — is to think about all of the improvements I am making to myself,” Joubert said. :That instead of using this time apart to wallow in self-pity (don’t get me wrong, I’ve done my fair share), I’m choosing to focus on me.”
Of course, it will be an added bonus when her husband is able to see her transformation for himself — “I’m excited to see his reaction when he comes home,” said.
