Terri’s Journey

It’s been a couple of weeks since my first post.  I’ve been exercising in the wellness center a few times each week,  but the end of summer and the beginning of the school year tends to present challenges in finding time for myself.   With the cooler weather, I’ve taken to walking outside after dinner and enjoying the lack of humidity in the air.   I’ve been trying to be more patient with my family during this busy time of year, which is not always easy.  I have been practicing deep breathing when I realize that my daughter’s shoes are missing, or that the dog has chewed up the edges of yet another carpet. 

I’ve decided to start taking a beginner yoga class on Monday mornings at 10:00 a.m. in the Movement Studio, to begin focusing on the mental and spiritual parts of my overall health.  I have dabbled in yoga before, but as I am trying to achieve more balance in my life – in spirit, mind, and body…I have to do more than just move my body, and need to focus on being more mindful.   If you are interested in joining me, please feel free to meet me outside of the movement studio on September 8th….I’ll have a green mat and will be wearing my nametag.  Don’t forget to bring your yoga mat!

You are reading the first post of my story as I begin my journey towards health and wellness at the YMCA.  Hopefully it will become a place where myself and others will have conversations about our stories and struggles with making wellness a priority.   Some days are easier than others when it comes to health.  I work for the YMCA, but am in the same boat as many of you and have decided to embrace the term ”health seeker.”

My office is literally steps away from the wellness center, and I still find excuses for why I am not in there exercising.  I struggle with finding inspiration to move my body, to manage my stress by taking deep breaths,  or to eat fruits and veggies every day.  It’s really HARD for me.  I’ve been working on this for some time, but it is a challenge every single day.

Yesterday,  I went into the wellness center to have my photo taken for this journal.  In every picture, well…almost every one…I’m not a big fan of bikes….I’ll save that story for another day… I was smiling and interacting with super nice members who were so willing to help me with anything I needed.  I had a GREAT time.  I left feeling empowered and excited to go back in there and do more.

As with any other road trip…I love road trips…again a story for another day….it’s a lot more fun with more than one person in the car……so, if you are just getting started, please share with me some of your challenges and successes.  It seems that those who are the most successful have people supporting them when the going gets tough.  From someone who seems to encounter many road blocks where health is concerned, I could use all the help I can get!

If you would like to share a comment about my journey or yours….please post it here and I will respond!  If you would like to e-mail me directly with a comment, my e-mail is tedgar@ymcade.org.

I’m looking forward to getting started…..and am heading into the wellness center to pick up where I left off yesterday!

Hope to see you in there!