Families & Fitness

How do we make fitness part of our lives? Families have a huge influence on our activity level and attitude toward exercise. I don't remember exercising with my family while I was growing up. We cleaned house and went for an occasional stroll, but that was about it. My dad wasn't athletic and my mom preferred cooking and visiting to anything physical. Our family outings were organized around the food we would eat - not the activities we would do. I always struggled with extra weight, and I went on my first diet when I was 16. Pauline's mom had one of those machines with a belt that wrapped around your bottom and wiggled back and forth. I would get on that for 15 minutes and think I had exercised. I played softball and volleyball at church one night a week. Then the AEROBIC REVOLUTION took place! I started to exercise regularly and intensely, and I felt great. Some of my best memories are family hikes in the Gorge, running track in the morning with Aaron's 5th grade class, going to aerobics with Heather and Dad, watching Andy play soccer and football, and taking Brooke to dancing lessons. I don't know how many times I went to Chehalem for swimming lessons, or how many dance team competitions I watched. I love being active with my family! My intentions were to make movement a positive part of everyone's life. I wish you were all here to go for a hike with me! Let's all BUST A MOVE today - even if it's yard work!