Spring Into Fitness

Some of us are not Spring Chickens but we were rockin with the rest of the spring chickens last night in Chick Church. It was like no other Chick Church yet. Val Branch led us in a simple aerobic exercise to a rocking Gospel song and we had fun! Who said exercise has to be work!

Laurie Cheezum and Julie Memmolo manned the kitchen blending delicious, healthy fruit smoothies. Sandy Hohrein decorated the tables with water bottles, hand weights, stretching bands, work-out videos and wallpapered cans of fruit and vegetables to be used as weights. There was an air of excitement in the room as the ladies entered.

Jan had her panel of fitness experts ready for our questions and Sarah Colon showed her video of fitness interviews highlighting some of your challenges with getting fit. Hilarious laughter ensued as we watched Laura Cheezum demonstrate her Wii fitness routine, “jump.”

Most of us have a challenge just getting up from what we’re doing to start any exercise out of our normal routine. We know we should exercise but we just don’t. It seems like we just don’t have enough time in the day to fit it in. But how do all those other people do it?

Experts say there is a “cognitive dissonance” that is the culprit. We cannot hold to two opposing values at the same time. The one that serves us is the one we will follow every time. It serves us to sleep in. It serves us to have dinner on the table on time rather than take time for exercise. The list could go on about all the things we value above exercise. But will be happy with our choice when the rubber meets the road? Are we happy with our lack of energy? Are we happy with the aches and pains in our joints and muscles? Beth Johnson gave us a handout of one hundred benefits to regular exercise. Surely one of them would motivate us to change our values.

Ellen Woodworth represented the rest of us on the panel who are not personal trainers. She is an inspiration to us all as she has incorporated fitness into her life through every stage and challenge. Yea Ellen! She looks wonderful and has more energy than women much younger.

Shelly Burack, a personal trainer, mother of two and pregnant again took time to share how to keep consistent: 1) have an accountability partner, 2)schedule exercise into our day, 3)journal to keep track of benefits and 4) make it a normal part of our routine.

Buff Beth Johnson showed us how to lift weights and explained the benefits reminding us that it strengthens our bones against osteoporosis, keeps us burning calories even while sitting, and builds strong muscles for lifting children and groceries all without making bulging muscles. I’m reaching for the can of beans now. One, two three…

Ephesians 5:29 says, “After all, no one ever hated his own body, but he feeds and cares for it, just as Christ does the church.” Rosalia Martinez shared this verse with us encouraging us to care for our bodies. She shared her own journey with fitness. In her twenties she worked out two hours a day, five days a week to keep up with her workout fanatic husband. In her thirties she quit working out. Now in her early forties, her motivation for working out is entirely different. She works out for herself, not to impress anyone else. She also does it in moderation at 45 minutes, three times a week and she’s happy and fit.

What a great night of inspiration and advice, fellowship and fun. Now you know what you missed at Chick Church – now let’s walk it out.