Perhaps it is because, after 30 years in the fitness industry, I am now leaning towards more strength training / active agining....but my social media is filled with inspiring stories of 60, 70, 80 and 100 year old feats of athleticism.
I loved this story of a man who was sedentary until his 50s who finally got active - and get stop admiring his own abs in the mirror. Or this amazing 100-year old who raced a 5 K!
Our motivations to get active are personal, but my reasons for coaching have been steadfast for years: Exercise is the most potent medicine we have to reduce our rates of chronic illness, strengthen our cardiovascular system, help us move in our bodies with greater easy, and improves our mental health.
This week I want to share part one of finding my purpose:
My father died of a heart attack at home when I was ten. Driven by grief, I found an old pair of running shoes and ran around the block.
It was so hard.
I remember the Adidas vinyl shorts chafing my inner thighs, my lungs gasping for air. But after, I felt this huge, euphoric rush: I now know these are the positive chemicals filling the brain. I was hooked. My mum bought me Jane Fonda VHS tapes, we found an aerobics class to do together, which brought us closer, and the moment i hit 19 I got my YMCA teaching certification.
I didn't know then, but my classes would always have the heart as the focal point - as a muscle, and as the centre of our spirit; when I became a yoga teacher my class - Flow, which is Friday at 7am - was focused on the heart.
If you have ever taken one of my classes, you know - fitness is what i was born to do. If you haven't taken a class, join us virtually for a week for free - we meet every morning (M/W 630 AM; T/TH/F 7 AM) and my program also includes DOSE snacks (included here!) and over 1000 classes on demand.
Fire me an email [email protected] and we will onboard you!
But it isn't simply the heart - it is how exercise changes us: It changes everything about our lives and the research is abundantly clear that it improves brain health and cognitive function.
We have men and women in their 40s, 50s and 60s - all accountable to each other to stay fit and healthy. On July 1st, my two programs - the Healthy Six and the FITFAM - are merging to one membership community, with LIVE classes, meal prep sessions, meditations, mobility, experts, weekly DOSE snacks delivered to your inbox and much more!
Yesterday, one of my clients walked up Riverdale Hill twice - and ran four laps around the track. turned to me and said, "that's the most running I have ever done in my life." She is 68, and only started exercising last year.
It is never too late.
The tips here will tell you - find accountability, plan it into your calendar, and I would add - be compassionate with yourself.
How to Start Strength Training if You Have Never Done It
Meal Prep Sunday: What I am making today!
DOSE SNACK: Dua Lipa Training Day LEGS
PS - If you love the DOSE snacks, I am introducing a low-cost subscription-based membership with access to the DOSE snacks channel in my portal!
MEAL PREP INVITE: Next Sunday, June 9th we will meet to make some amazing LEMON / TAHINI recipes!! Message me to join us!
With health and love
Erin
PS
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