Don't Believe The Hype

During the holidays, we're inundated with reminders about 'holiday spirit' and in that vein, I'm grateful. I'm grateful for my heath, I'm grateful for my body's ability to move better than it could a year ago, I'm grateful for the intangible benefit of feeling strong enough to explore not only this wonderful city in which I live but others I've visited in 2012: San Francisco, Philadelphia, New York City, Baltimore, Washington DC. I've logged miles and miles and miles on a pair of shoes I thought would likely gather dust in the corner when I bought them in January 2012.

And more than that, I'm grateful to LSAC. From the smiling faces at the front desk to the cleaning staff to the instructors who are endlessly patient with uncoordinated people like me to the regulars that I see almost without fail whenever I'm there.

So here is my message to the new members who joined as a new year's resolution:

Look around the gym when you're there. In the locker room, on the treadmills, in the classes. We look like your co-workers, your relatives, the people on your commute. We are just like you. We struggle constantly with the same things that you struggle with. But you're here. Whatever brought you here isn't important. You're one of us now. One of the sweaty masses who have a myriad of goals. To lose weight, to firm up, to walk up a flight of stairs without breaking a sweat, to get off of medication, to sleep better, to get stronger, to prove to yourself that you CAN DO IT.

So never mind those horrible ads telling you that you need to be a certain size to be happy. Happiness is something only you can determine. Set your own goals, as small as they may be and praise yourself when you make them. When you fall, get back up and don't beat yourself up too much. This is a long term commitment to yourself and sometimes it's going to be exhilarating and wonderful and sometimes it's going to be hard and frustrating but you are on the right path.

Here's to a great and healthy 2013!

--Jenn Howell