Health Heroes!

What does it take to go from a couch potato to a fitness nut? Well, I guess that depends on quite a few factors. For me, I started handling my nutrition and as the weight fell off my energy levels shot up. I started slow, purchasing a Wii for myself and using Just Dance. Then some ladies who follow Jenny Craig along with me encouraged me to try the C25k running program. That was an awesome experience and I was starting to feel the inner fitness nut really crack open... I know, corny.

Then, a tragedy came along. I lost a baby... a part of me I had so longed for and sadly had to say goodbye to much too soon. The motivation I had felt before wasn't quite there anymore. Then I was invited to a hip hop fitness class. Little did I know that it would be in that community where I would find my health heroes.

To Jacque, my first (and dearest) hip hop instructor, I thank you for opening up your class and doing all you can to make all the new people feel like they are somewhat keeping up. A simple left, right, double goes a long way at that first class. You have so much energy and your smile lights up the class.

To BreAnna, thank you for inviting me! Without that invitation I would never have found that class on my own. It took your urging me to push me out of my funk. I was so shy at that first class but little by little I started to open up and join in.

To Jill! You are awesome and you push me to push myself. I feel like we have this friendly competition and we push each other to try more and more. From 6 AM classes, to 2-hour sessions and back to back classes you keep me going. Through the aches and pains and people trying to say we work out too much. We help each other realize when we need rest and you're there to chat and make me laugh.

And of course to Mike Nicholson! You've started an amazing community and I'm so happy to be a part of it. I love learning more and more about your personal story, how you started Mike Nicholson Hip Hop Fitness and how you interweave all your efforts into the larger community. 

You all are my health heroes and I appreciate you so much.

I pray to continue this activity well into my older years. There are so many women, all shapes and sizes that keep coming to classes. When we are willing to join a community we must be willing to share our experiences. I've been reading a link that was shared with me about hip replacements and while I pray I will never need one I do know family members and friends who have gone through the replacement process. I appreciate the American Recall Center for asking me to contribute to their Who Keeps You Healthy Campaign. You can read more here: ARC -- Hip Replacement