Be Phenomenal
Posted by Jennifer Popper on Tue, Dec 30, 2008 @ 09:00 AM
I recently stumbled upon Maya Angelou’s ‘Phenomenal Woman’. I’ve read it before, and each time I do, I take away something new or find a different meaning that applies to something currently happening in my life. So now, with the New Year looming, I reread it and think of resolutions, of how a great many of us resolve to lose weight, hit the gym, and eat better. But how long before these resolutions are broken? It usually doesn’t take much to tempt us back into bad habits.
This year, I resolve to not make resolutions. Instead, I will make life changes. You see, I’m not ‘built to suit a fashion model’s size’ and really never will be. I’ve resolved myself to the fact that I want to be someone who is healthy and happy. I prefer adjectives like athletic and fit versus thin and skinny. If I want french fries or a glass of chardonnay, I won’t deny myself. Yet I will then make sure I get up and get moving, rather than curl up on the couch and do nothing.
I will implement positive changes that will become routine. I’ll continue to take the stairs instead of riding the escalator. In fact, I think I will dig out my pedometer and once again work on squeezing in those 10,000+ steps a day! You see, I had sprained my ankle in a volleyball tournament the weekend before Thanksgiving, and I have found that walking for exercise has been a great way to ease back into a fitness regimen. After being somewhat immobile and taking some time off to heal, those extra calories snuck their way into my diet. So… it’s now back to Pilates, and back to cardio strength classes I go. And then, yes, it’s back to volleyball, too!
I invite you to join me to not make resolutions you know you’ll break; make positive life changes by incorporating exercise into your daily routine. You’ll feel less anxious and stress-free; you’ll feel better about yourself, and you’ll reach for fewer pieces of chocolate, too! Yes, of course, I would love to have you join us at Studio Fitness for classes. But if Studio Fitness isn’t in the cards for you right now, still make a healthier lifestyle a resolution you and your family will keep.
Become extraordinary. Be exceptional and confident. Be an even more phenomenal woman as we head into 2009. From all of us at Studio Fitness, we wish you and your family a happy, healthy and safe New Year!
(To read the poem by Maya Angelou, click PHENOMENAL WOMAN)