Tags
exercise, inspiration, inspire, parks, parks & recreation, parks and recreation, recreation, spin, spin class
So it seems I have become somewhat of a driving force behind a now growing group of small people becoming more actively fit. Well, perhaps the ignition. I don’t think I’m much of a motivator although I do possess the enthusiasm.
It all started soon after I started working for a parks and recreation organization. i suddenly found myself working with people who are knowledgeable about parks and recreation, and who were full of nutrition and fitness knowledge. Not only did they have knowledge, they actually talked the talk. The fridge at work was full of healthy food. I barely ever saw anyone drinking pop or eat junk food at work, aside from home-made baked goods. I felt guilty purchasing a bag of chips for my snacks, and eating them in front of my health-conscious colleagues, even to the point of feeling guilty just bringing it into the office.
My colleague who sits next to me bikes to work. One of my managers also bikes to work when the weather is nice. My direct manager actually teaches a spin class and leads a weekly walking group. The CEO bikes on the weekends. And then of course there was the nature of my work. One great aspect of my job, is that I get to administer a teen physical activity grant program. I get to promote teen physical activity programs. I get to see all the applications and programs that community organizations are developing to get teens moving, all over the province.
And of course the greatest motivator of all for me, is my kids, and wanting to be a good example to them of how to live a healthy life.
The next thing I knew, I was researching walking routes near work, so I can go for walks at lunch time (for the times that I CAN go out to lunch), then I was reading articles on healthy eating and healthy living, and the pandemic of the `sitting disease`. Then I actually bought a pedometer. Then finally, I brought forward the idea to my sister of joining an exercise class. And now I go to a spin class on Mondays and Thursdays, and in May it will become spin on Mondays and cardio-kick-boxing on Thursdays. And its not just my sister. My sister`s colleague is joining us. And now another wants to join.
Lead by example.
Surrounded by such health-knowledge people, I can`t help but be inspired to live the life they preach and practice. And it feels good, especially since now it seems the spinning idea has gained momentum. We just have to keep on trekking.
Who knows….maybe I`ll actually do the 24 hour relay one day. That would be an awesome goal. Forget a marathon or the Sun Run. I`m thinking big, like climbing Mount Doom big (which I`m hoping I get to do someday). But one spin class at a time. I am just beginning afterall.
But if you immerse a girl in a parks and rec culture, chances are, she`ll be inspired to be healthy too.
I just hope I can keep up this new-found enthusiasm.