Lolo Jones in Workout Gear Dances and Says “Progress, Not Perfection”

Hurdler and bobsledding champion Lolo Jones is philosophical about the reality of competing as an athlete—namely, you don’t always perform at your best. Jones, 41, shared a video of herself wearing black leggings and an orange tank top, dancing her disappointment away. “When you get love bombed by Track 😭😭😭😭Progress and disappointment at the same time. only a runner will know the pain of having run your fastest time of the season but still coming short. Giving me mixed signals like a man who is avoidant attachment. Are we good? Nah we not good? Ok we are def good, 😂😫Keep chipping away. #last #progressnotperfection,” she captioned the post. Here’s how Jones stays fit, strong, and ready to run.

1. Losing Weight After Bobsledding

Jones put on weight after switching from bobsledding to running, and worked hard to torch the fat. “It was tough. I had to lose the 30 pounds I had put on for bobsledding,” she told Stack. “For the first time in my life, I could relate to the struggle to lose weight. I stopped consuming 3,000-calorie weight gainers and dropped 10 pounds in a week. I lost the next 10 pounds by cutting my portions and eating healthier meals, like chicken or fish. No more double-cheeseburgers! The last 10 pounds were the hardest.”

2. Training For the Track

Jones’ workout is based on cycles, depending on how fast or slow she is running. “We build up to hard workouts within three weeks and then take a rest week,” she told Stack. “Also, if you increase your volume, you need to decrease your rest. For example, if I’m running for longer and slower, then I get less rest time. But if my run time is faster and shorter, I get a longer time to recover so that I can run at a higher velocity next round. Rest is really important.”

3. Gel Manicures

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Jones always wore polish during bobsledding training to protect her nails. "You have to keep your nails painted at all times because it protects them from getting beat up against the ice,” she told Cosmopolitan. “But I like getting Shellac [by CND] the best, because we work with acetone so much to clean the runners (aka blades) that it takes my nail polish right off—with a gel mani it stays on forever."

4. Bobsledding Eye Makeup

Jones emphasized her eye makeup during bobsledding competitions. “Even though everyone knows I'm a woman, when I'm racing I wear dramatic eyeshadow, mascara, and liner to make my eyes standout,” she told Cosmopolitan. “Especially since it's the only part of my face that you can see with my helmet on!"

5. Setting Goals and Evolving

Jones constantly reminds herself to set goals to stay on track. “After the Winter Olympics, I was physically fit and really strong from pushing the bobsled. But it was tough to get my energy up again,” she told Stack. “Competing in an Olympics can really drain you mentally and physically. One thing I’ve learned throughout my career is that whenever you lack motivation, you lack goals. So I had to re-focus and redefine my goals, like win a certain number of races this season.”

Lita Lewis, a popular fitness trainer and mother of two, is known for motivating her followers on social media to find balance between parenthood and staying fit. In an Instagram post from August, Lewis shared a relatable moment when she tried to squeeze in an ab workout while her kids slept, only for them to wake up unexpectedly. She encouraged other parents to keep going, writing, "Full-time mamas, juggling full-time work - I see you!! Keep the good fight going.” Her post highlights the daily challenges of motherhood while staying committed to fitness. Through her personal journey, Lewis shares valuable insights on maintaining a healthy lifestyle, embracing setbacks, and finding grace in balancing family and self-care.

1. She Works Hard

Lewis makes sure to stay consistent when it comes to fitness. She shared her transformation in this Instagram post. Lewis captioned it, “The biggest challenge post challenge, is the maintenance. I love that a good challenge acts as a reset, and it was exactly what I needed but maintaining something that required my best step forward every single day has been tough. My mantra these days is.. if my best is 40% and I gave it, I gave 100%. Dear mamas, show yourselves constant grace. Beating yourself up for everything you didn’t do serves nobody.”

2. She Works Her Lower Body

Lewis makes sure to do lower body workouts. She shared some of her favorites in this Instagram video. In it, Lewis is seen doing side lunges, step ups, and seated deadlifts. She captioned the post, “DAY ✌🏽 of the 40 HARD CHALLENGE !! And my workout today was a no jump lower body routine aimed to keep my booty from dropping 🫠😆To our @bounceforwardclub members, I’ll be posting this one in our Long Form Workouts tonight! 😉”

3. She Lifts Weights

Lewis likes to lift weights to stay in shape. She shared some of her favorite workouts in this Instagram post. Lewis captioned it, “This mama is still at it (when I can and when I have the energy to) and getting it done at home 😆😎I managed just 2 SETS before those burpees forced me to take a seat 😏 * 1st Set, rep count as shown in this reel 10-20-10-20 * 2nd Set, switch the rep count, meaning end with 10 over the bar burpees, 20-10-20-10.”

4. She Doesn’t Pressure Herself

Lewis isn’t pressuring herself to lose the baby weight. She talked about this in the caption of this Instagram post. “Baby #2 Postpartum is just.. different 😆I’ve not put any stress and pressure on myself to lose what I’ve gained and if I’m being honest, it’s simply because I’ve been too tied up with other priorities to think too much of it, ha! However, I do miss the health benefits and increased energy that regular movement provides me. So, there’s that! That’s been my most driving force of motivation..Wanting to increase my energy & strength!!”

5. She Embraces Failure

Lewis doesn’t let failure get to her. She talked about this in the caption of this Instagram post. “For sure, I fail more than I actually succeed these days, and that’s okay. It’s been a highly blessed year but also the most challenging year of my life thus far. As I struggle through discovering my new identity I’m also empowered by my new reasons.”

Track and bobsled Lolo Jones is proud that at 41 she is still out there running and competing—and she wants to inspire other women to do the same. Jones shared a video of herself wearing a blue tracksuit, her hair braided with a bandana on. “I looked at all the younger athletes getting their legs worked on before the race and I told the trainer ‘forget my legs my back feels like a toddler has been stomping on it 😂😂😭’ In that moment I was like girl. You old. 😵‍💫 But we out here. Fighting. If I can go out there and race pro athletes some younger than me by ten years, please challenge yourself to do great things in your 40, 50s, and on. You got this 😤,” she captioned the post. Here’s how Jones is living her best life in her 40s.

1. Discipline Over Motivation

Jones’ exercise consists of a combination of weight training, cardio, and hill training. “Nobody’s happy to work out,” she told Red Bull. “You’re happy when you finish. I’m just like everybody else. There are days when I don’t wanna get out of bed and other times when I wanna work out.”

2. Protein Smoothies

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Jones makes protein shakes with strawberries, banana, spinach, protein powder, ice, and honey. “To kind of make ends meet while I trained, I worked at a gym, making protein shakes,” she told TODAY. “And little did I know … it's key for an athlete to have a protein shake within 15 to 20 minutes after a workout… The key about spinach is, they say you can add it to any protein shake and you won't tell the difference. You can taste it a little bit. They lied, but it's really healthy for you.”

3. Mind Over Matter

Jones has her own method of getting through injuries. “Injuries are tough because you’re physically hurt and out of the game, it actually starts to take a toll on you mentally,” she told Red Bull. “So even when you are healed, you still have a mental blockage that you have to repair as well. I do a lot of visualizations during the time that I’m injured so if I can’t hurdle, I’m visualizing that I can hurdle. I feel that it gives you just enough sharpness so that when you do return, you don’t have those re-injury fears as much.”

4. No More Eggs!

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Jones has one food she swears she will never eat again. “The thing I probably will never have again after I'm done with the Olympics is hard boiled eggs,” she told TODAY. “For the last I don't know how many years, hard boiled eggs (have) been in my breakfast. I take the yolk out. And I never want another hard boiled egg again in my life ever. I don't even care if it's Easter. No hard boiled eggs.”

5. Dark Chocolate With Almonds

Jones is all about making healthy substitutions over denying herself treats. “I have a really big sweet tooth so what I’ve done is moved into healthier options,” she told Red Bull. “I love chocolate so I moved to dark chocolate with almonds because both of those have health benefits. I didn’t like the dark chocolate at first but as I’ve gotten used to it, now I love it. Just work on the little things.”

The pro track and field athlete on Team Canada, Robin Bone, is an excellent pole vaulter with a passion for health and fitness. “A little dancey dance for recovery days at the track,” she said on Instagram on a video of her being goofy, doing a little dance. Here’s what Bone does to stay looking and feeling her best.

1. She’s confident

On a video of Robin looking confident and strong, running on the track, she said on Instagram “feelin’ good and ready for fall training camp next week.” She knows the importance of having a positive mind set, in addition to working on building her physical strength.

2. She practices functional strength

On a video of her working out, doing various body movements, she gives followers a look into what she does to stay in shape. “Been spending this fall easing back into things and spending a lot of time on plyos and functional strength… body feels great and happy to be movin’🏃‍♀️,” she said on Instagram.

3. She pushes through

She’s grateful, even during tough times. “Didn’t have my best day on Friday. While disappointed, I am walking away from Trials with so much gratitude. To be healthy again on the runway is a blessing and to my family, friends, coaches and sponsors- thank you! I am eternally thankful and have so much love for each and every one of you who has been a part of this chapter! 🙏🏼❤️🇨🇦,” she said on Instagram.

4. She recognizes progress

She celebrates the progress during her training and workouts. “NEW PR!! 305LBS BABY!!!! Going into this season my goal was to hit 2.5 times my body weight on this explosive exercise… this was 2.54🤪🎉,” she said on a video on Instagram of her lifting weights.

5. She golfs

She has fun practicing other sports and finding ways to stay active. On an Instagram video of her golfing, she said “off-season golf powered by my new @ustmamiyagolf Recoil SmacWrap Shafts ⛳️ 🤗 #teamessx #ustmamiyagolf.” According to Better Health, “golf can be good for your health and your heart. Walking an average course for a round of golf can be between five to seven kilometres. If you walk 18 holes three to five times a week, you’ll get an optimal amount of endurance exercise for your heart. If you pull your clubs or carry them, you’ll burn even more calories each round and benefit even more.”

Jasmine Camacho-Quinn, a professional hurdler and Olympic gold and bronze medalist, is celebrated for her perseverance and dedication to her sport. In a recent Instagram collaboration with Grand Slam Track, Quinn shared her love for fitness and showcased her hard work in pink workout gear. Reflecting on her journey to Olympic success, Quinn told The New York Post, “I trained really hard. I don’t have a training partner... I wanted to be a gold medalist, and I got it.” Her journey of resilience and her pride in her heritage inspire fans worldwide, reminding everyone that mistakes don’t define you, and pushing forward is the key to success.

1. She Works Hard

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After winning gold in the 2021 Olympics, Quinn talked about her training process to The New York Post. She says that she worked really hard to achieve this. “It really means a lot. This year I trained really hard. I don’t have a training partner, I train by myself, so I gave it all I had and this is what I wanted for this year. I wanted to be a gold medalist and I got it.”

2. She’s Proud

Quinn has a lot of pride in her background and heritage. She opened up about this to AOL. “For me, growing up, I came from two different backgrounds. I got to experience my mom’s side, which was Puerto Rican. Language wasn’t No. 1 for us because it was hard for it to happen if we weren’t around. The food that we ate, though, we’ve definitely kept that in our lives. Music has been a big part of our lives as well. My mother always made sure we kept the music close to us. Honestly, the traditions we had growing up made me who I am today, and I’m proud of who I am.”

3. She Doesn’t Let Her Mistakes Define Her

Quinn tells AOL that she doesn’t let her mistakes in training hold her back. “There’s always going to be bumps in the road and things won’t work out, but you need to get back on your feet. You need to ask yourself what do you want. For me, in that situation in 2016, I was heartbroken. But I told myself to not make the same mistakes again. You can’t let those mistakes stop you from doing what you were meant to do. No one has a perfect story. You just have to keep pushing forward, and I showed that.”

4. She Lifts Weights

Quinn likes to lift weights to stay in shape. She shared this video on Instagram of herself lifting a barbell. ACE Fitness states that lifting weights has a lot of health benefits. “Lifting heavy weights elevates levels of anabolic hormones—specifically testosterone, growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1)—which are used to repair muscle fibers damaged during exercise. This helps the muscle fibers to become thicker and capable of generating higher levels of force.”

5. She’s Motivated

Quinn talked about what motivates her in the caption of this Instagram post. “I’m my own motivation. I know how hard it is to be on top and to stay on top. I know how hard it is to be easily distracted. I know how hard it is to continue pushing even when it feels like the whole world is crashing down on you. How hard it is to stay focused. The isolation periods I go through where I’ll not speak to basically anyone. I know isolation is sometimes required before a massive breakthrough though.”