“If you quit moving, you rust.” That is a very true statement. I have seen with some of my clients the very same thing take place. Many of them are having issues with their mobility and some of that is due to lack of exercise. I have also seen it up close and personal with a family member. She is very overweight and has knee problems, partially due to the weight. It had gotten so bad that she required a cane to get around. The overall situation had gotten to the point that she was being warned by her doctor to get her act together or else she would develop Type 2 diabetes. Initially even this knowledge wasn’t always enough to help her to make better choices and start trying to exercise. Those lifelong habits were very hard for her to break.

Finally she and her sister started to take water aerobics classes at the local Y and she started to eat more healthfully. She also rediscovered an old friend and they get out and walk around and go do things together that are fun activities that helped her to gradually lose the cane. She hasn’t needed it for a good eight months and is continuing to improve.

It still is a hard struggle for her every day and thought she has lost a significant amount of weight there is a long road ahead. I believe that I was recognizing the lack of healthfulness in my own life, even on a subconscious level and that it was a part of the reason that I finally woke up. Witnessing her daily work to a better healthy life style has helped to keep me motivated.

I also have some clients who are an inspiration to me to stay on track. I have several clients and a great friend who have trained or are in training for marathons or triathlons, as well. That is quite an accomplishment and though that is not one of my goals I can appreciate the tenacity it takes to stick to training programs like that to be able to finish a marathon or a triathlon. They help me almost daily with advice on nutrition tips, healthy recipes, and suggestions of workouts that they enjoyed. Having that support system has been very helpful in my desire to take better care of myself.

— Sandy