Today has been declared a national day of action. I agree that it is time to take action in all areas of our lives and in this society. I have been focusing on the fitness aspects of the issues that are infecting our nation. In addition to all the very important financial and political hurdles we’ve faced there is an epidemic of obesity and disease running rampant through every communities and we need more attention on how to address them. As a fitness professional I see the struggles people face each day as they fight their personal fitness battle. I also see how helpless they feel when facing the journey to fitness.
I had a conversation last night with one of my regular fitness clients who reached her threshold. The point when we finally decide we are no longer willing to live as the person we are now. The point when we decide to put our health needs first. For most of us this is an emotionally charged moment, for we see ourselves as someone we just aren’t happy with being any more. It can be difficult. It was for me. Three years ago, when I decided to make a change in my physicality, I had a night of crying and yelling at myself. I didn’t like who I had become and felt helpless. As if I couldn’t find my way back to a more health state. Truth be told, the only reason I was able to snap out of it was the strength of my faith and the loving support of my family. I was lucky to have so much support. It also helped that I stumbled into the fitness profession, which made exercise an integral part of my everyday life. One can say I experienced the perfect storm in regards to my weight loss journey. True, not everyone has this kind of support or experience. One thing that IS true for everyone is that you have to make a decision and take action. So let’s put our hands together and make today a fitness day of action!
I know it’s the holiday season, but that is no reason for us to not focus on fitness. Trust me; it’s not that difficult to make fitness decisions around the holiday buffets and social functions you have on your agenda. As always, I have some suggestions and tips that may help you. I encourage you to take some action today if you are ready to make a change in your life.
Find a nutritional support program that works for you. There are a number of programs that have a proven track record of success. Some of the ones I like are;
- Weight Watchers. Very sensible and supportive organization. What I like about their program is that they focus on nutritional education give you continuous support. So it’s not about dieting, it’s about changing your life for now and the future. A great program!
- Jenny Craig. If you need a meal planner program this one is for you! They have a number of solutions and a support staff to help you through. It’s not just about a long distance mail order program, which I like. And the full menu can be planned with meals provided for those who live on the run.
- 30 Day Fitness Challenge. This is a program I work with my team on. It has some amazing affects and is supportive for all fitness levels and ages. As with some of the other programs I like, nutritional education is a large part of what this program has to offer.
Sit down with a personal trainer so that you can get some professional support and guidance. You have to realize that you’re not in this alone. A good personal trainer is a valuable tool and support system that will help you get started on a plan customized to meet your needs and who will be there to cheer and pull you through to the other side.
Make a choice to get into the gym three to five times a week. It’s not too much to ask of yourself. Get into the gym and give yourself some time to get fit. Join in a group exercise class, get on the treadmill, do a circuit on the weight machines… do something that will jump start your program!
Get a fitness buddy. Partner with a friend and make fitness a priority for one another. You will find that you’ll have more success if you have someone in the trenches with you.
I invite you to come out to one of my classes today as a part of this day of action. I will be teaching my Afro-Belly Boogie Cardio Dance fitness class this morning (11am) at the Casto Valley 24 Hour Fitness and this evening (7:30pm) at the Downtown Oakland 24 Hour Fitness. Come out and make this day of action spring you forward. And don’t be stopped if you aren’t a member of 24 Hour Fitness, download a pass and come out and join me.
The most important thing you have to connect to is simple. You are the most important person in the formula and you deserve to be given every chance to live a prosperous life in body mind and spirit. Let’s take a step together today to make the body your focus! You are amazing! Let’s be amazing together!
Take action!!
