Walking 10,000 steps everyday is my mainstay and a lifeline. It is not an easy thing to establish a life long habit ... fitness, in general, has required my having to create some sort of obligation to others and I have almost always built in an aspect of commitment.
In 1987, when we moved from Thunder Bay to southern Ontario with our young family, we had to reestablish some kind of fitness routine in our new community. I decided to take the fitness instructors course at the local YMCA and that turned out to be the best health decision that I would ever make.
I had no intention of leading fitness groups but at the end of the course and after the mandatory hours of practice teaching it was suggested that I take on a class or two as a volunteer instructor. I agreed and the rest is history. I taught at the YMCA for over 25 years and that obligation kept me fit while teaching almost every type of class that was offered. I left the YMCA to teach Dance and Power Walking and in the summer of 2017 went to an ashram in Quebec to acquire my Yoga teaching certificate. My husband and I also established a walking group that meets a few times a week ... the Walk On Strong Walkers have been meeting up and walking for over 12 years.
Without the push and pull of teaching yoga and dance classes, getting out the door to meet with other walkers, creating goals through walking events and helping others with their fitness goals we would not have gained the health benefits that have blessed our lives.
I highly recommend establishing an obligation to yourself and others to help you create that fitness habit. Maybe it's a race event ... I am heading to Ottawa in May for a Half Marathon with some friends and our goal is to have fun and finish! We will be walking all winter to get ready. Creating an obligation toward a healthier life could simply begin by asking a friend to walk with you on a certain day each week. You could even commit to WALK30 ... that's walking 30 minutes a day for 30 days in a row ... and then commit again ... and again:)
If you would like some more information about Walking, Power Walking and health hints in general please check out my Walk30 blog at: www.walk30.blogspot.com
If you would like some company on the trail the Walk On Strong Walking Group meets at the Waterloo Public Square in front of Shoppers Drug Mart every week:
Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m. for a 5 K walk ( about an hour)
Saturdays at 9 a.m. for a 5Kish walk ( an hour or longer if you choose to walk further)
or for those who would like to walk a bit further there is a 10 K - 14 K walk that starts in the same place on Saturday mornings at 8 a.m.
If you are interested in a Mindful Yoga class with me at the Inner Magic Yoga Studio I have a 2 hour Back to Yoga introductory Session coming up in February.
Ladies ... If dancing is your thing come and join us on the dance floor for a fun, free flowing movement experience with a touch of yoga and mindful meditation to finish ... first class is free. A CHance2Dance takes place on Wednesday evenings 7 -8 p.m. at Prueter Public School gym ... great music and a light show!!
For more information about any of the above wellness options email me at: innermagicstudio@mac.com or call 519 635 4768