Aging Well:
While aging is inevitable for us all, staying active keeps bones and muscles strong and speeds up your metabolism, which is all motivation enough for me. I think a lot of aging gracefully comes from putting the effort in now. Finding the right amount of activity that your body needs and enjoys keeps you committed for life. For me, the stronger I feel, the better I feel.
My kids:
When people say “it takes a village” they aren’t lying! Kids have an insane amount of energy and despite having to keep up with the day-to-day chores, I need energy to not only run after them but to be able to play with them too! Believe it or not, working out gives you MORE energy! I credit staying active as a mom in helping me keep (sane) and energetic enough to raise my little ones during those crazy toddler years;) Also, I just want my kids to grow up with an understanding that physical health is an essential part of living a healthy lifestyle.
My clients:
People come to me to be motivated and I take that job pretty seriously. If I wasn’t giving my all and loving it, I’m sure it would reflect in my classes. Knowing and being aware of this, my clients motivate me to do my best and they really are and have always been a huge part of my drive in pushing myself further in this industry.
Feeling Strong:
I won’t deny that moving my body feels so normal and so natural to me that it would seem almost unnatural not too. Transitioning from the dance world to the fitness world, it would be absolutely foreign for me to not be physically active. I’m used to moving and building my muscles and that feeling of strength is like no other. I can’t say that I’m motivated to work-out because I’m fixated on one area of my body in particular, but instead I really prefer to work-out to gain and maintain muscle and strength all over. Its taken me a long time to feel comfortable in my own skin and I’m grateful to have a body that allows me to do what I love.
Mental Health:
Physical health and mental health need their own attention, however, I do believe that physical health can help with mental health. When you move your body, work hard and sweat it just makes you feel good. That serotonin boost I get from a workout is something that I just can’t replicate. I literally feel relieved, happier, calmer and far less stressed post-workout. It makes me feel as though I can tackle whatever comes my way. Sticking to a healthy fitness regimen that you actually enjoy and one that works with your lifestyle is your best bet for staying motivated. I know that keeping active has helped me through some of the most challenging and stressful times in my life, and I would highly encourage it to anyone.
The Music:
I can pretty much work-out and find the beat in any style of music, buuuuut up-tempo music generally motivates me the most! My classes are not planned and so whichever playlist I choose for that session and its tempo really inspires the exercises. How fast or how slow they the exercise will be is all dependent on the beat behind it, and staying on the beat is critical to me. My ideal work-out is musical. It’s so much more than squatting or lifting weights. In my mind it is a type of of choreography that has to have good energy and good flow with transitions that make sense. There’s no doubt that music makes me want to move and I know I could not possibly do what I do without it!