Meet our Superhero of the Month for May: Monique Melton!
Okay, I have a confession. Whenever I’m talking to my favorite people — which, of course, includes all of you in Mo-Tribe — I notice how they move. I wonder whether or not their movements are efficient. How I can help them to move with more ease and less pain. How I might help them improve their flexibility.
It’s a hazard of the job. When you’re a Functional Movement Expert, you can’t help but notice the way people move.
But did you know that dancers move differently than the average person? Yep, because of a dancer’s increased body awareness, coordination, and flexibility — which all develop after years of practice — their movements tend to be more controlled, fluid, and precise.
Speaking of dancers, Mo-Mentum Fitness is so excited to announce our Superhero of the Month for May … Monique Melton. And it’s no surprise she has another quality unique to dancers: she is incredibly graceful.
Monique is one of the most graceful women I have ever met. And if you haven’t met her yet, you’ll know who she is when you see her move. Monique is a REAL ballerina, and it’s beautifully obvious in the classes she attends here at Mo-Mentum Fitness in Huntington Beach.
But another amazing quality of Monique’s is that she isn’t just graceful in her movements. Her personality brightens and lifts the room to a level of positivity even Oprah would be impressed with!
Monique Knew It Was Time to Level Up.
I could see the determination in Monique’s eyes the day she started with us here at Mo-Mentum. She was ready! Ready to level up her fitness, energy levels, and overall health.
Monique was not sedentary when she started with us. In fact, quite the opposite. She was (and still is) an active, top-level dance teacher.
Still, Monique wanted more. She wanted to be stronger. To feel more alert. She wanted more energy. She wanted to be able to move without pain for the rest of her life.
Perhaps most important, Monique wanted to age gracefully, while continuing to function like she was two decades younger.
She knew she was on the right track, because she was moving every day, but she also knew she wasn’t challenging herself. She was simply moving in the same way she had practiced (and mastered!) throughout her life.
But your body needs to be challenged to thrive. For example, to keep your muscles and your bones strong so you can continue to have the freedom to move with confidence, you need to push yourself. Move outside your comfort zone.
A couple simple ways to push yourself are:
- to lift heavy things.
- to try something new.
It’s vital that you practice now the movements you want to be able to do for the rest of your life. Getting up off the ground is a practice. Balancing is a practice. Carrying groceries out of the car and into the house is a practice. Picking up kids, puppies, dogs, kitties … each of these is a practice that you can start now.
In addition to taking whole or small-group fitness classes, here are some other practical ways to keep your body moving the way you want it to in your golden years:
- Raise up on your toes while brushing your teeth.
- When sitting for long periods of time, get up every HALF HOUR and move around.
All of these suggestions help you become stronger. And strength training is key to gracefully living a long and vibrant life. A professionally trained fitness coach can help you create the best strength training exercises for your needs.
What Exactly Does “Aging Gracefully” Mean?
Whether you’re 35, 55, or 75, aging gracefully means the same thing. It means being able to do what you want to do, with whom you want to do it, and when you want to do it.
For example, what if a friend texts you on a Thursday and asks if you’d like to hike to Griffith Observatory on Saturday? Sorry, but two days is nowhere near enough time to “get in shape” for a rigorous hike like that!
But if you’ve been moving (practicing) all along and pushing yourself to keep reaching new heights, it means your reply to your friend about whether you want to go on that hike looks exactly like this: Heck yes I do!
Have you been to Disneyland lately? The older I get, the more surprised I am each time I go. It’s no easy feat to spend a day there walking around the parks. But I can do it! And if you’ve been moving and practicing, then going to Disneyland ALLLL day with your kids and/or grandkids is an option for you, too. How exciting is that?
I think we take so many things for granted when it comes to movement. Imagine not being able to bend down to pick up your dog or cat, vacuum the living room, or lean over to unload the dishwasher.
Imagine not feeling good enough to dance with your friends on girls or couples nights out!
All these seemingly insignificant movements are encompassed in the term “aging gracefully.” But for those who lead a sedentary life, these movements are anything but simple. As for me, I keep practicing and moving because I want simple movements to feel simple for the rest of my life.
Monique started exercising with us here at Mo-Mentum Fitness because she wanted this kind of freedom. She wanted to be empowered to live her most extraordinary life today AND in the future.
Mo-Mentum Fitness Helps You Live Your Best Life With Intention.
Community, accountability, and exercise with the intention of getting stronger and healthier are vital elements of aging gracefully. And when you age gracefully, you enjoy your time on this earth … every day of your life.
If you’ve been looking for a community of positive and hard-working people who will encourage you to intentionally live your best life, come into Mo-Mentum Fitness in Huntington Beach.
Our world-class trainers help you pinpoint what aging gracefully means to you and then tailor a routine to help you get there. Stop by, call, or click here to schedule your free assessment and strategy session today!
Monique, thank you for being a part of Mo-Tribe and for being such an inspiration to us all. Your beautiful smile makes my day and so many others’ here! Your drive, determination, and dedication are palpable and contagious. Thank you for being our superhero of the month for May!
Love you, girl!
Amanda and Team Mo
A few words from our Superhero herself…
Specifics: age, job title, children, partner?
Age: in my 50s
Job Title: dance teacher and soon to be a dog trainer
Family: 1 son, Jacob, and been married for 35 years to my wonderful husband Mike
Describe what your life (and your health) was like before fitness.
I was under the belief that I was healthy. Having a dance studio, I taught dance classes 6 days a week but I realized that I wasn’t as in shape as I thought I was.
Was there ever a low point or an experience that made your priorities change?
Yes, having to close our Dance Studio after 31 years, due to the pandemic.
How did fitness come into your life (or back into your life)?
Since I had more time on my hands, I became depressed, due to being less active as I had been in the past. My son, Jake suggested I start working out where he goes, Mo-Mentum. He loves working out there and thought it would do me good. So he encouraged me to attend the 4th of July boot camp.
What kind of results have you seen since starting a regular fitness program
I feel so much better, I have lost weight, I have more energy and I can more effectively teach dance class.
Please talk more about the actual changes in your life?
I feel much happier, I have increased confidence, I feel like a better wife, mom and teacher and I look forward to every day.
Why do you make fitness a priority in your life?
Longevity and quality of life.
These days, what makes truly happy and feel at peace?
Being able to move around freely with no pain, playing with my 3 dogs, feeling more calm and actually being able to enjoy my son’s cooking without any guilt.
How do you feel compared to 1 year ago?
I feel healthier and happier. I feel GREAT!!!!
What is your favorite thing about Mo-Mentum Fitness?
Makoa<3 Amanda’s dirty jokes and entertaining classes :), but most of all the workouts are like a big party with wonderful people. I always feel so energized at the end of each workout!!!!
What would you say to the person who knows they need to start exercising but is afraid to start?
I would tell them that they should at least try it once. Your body is your temple and you need to take care of it.
HOW WE CHOOSE OUR SUPERHERO OF THE MONTH
Team Mo and I choose our SUPERHERO OF THE MONTH based on several important factors that we believe reflect the values on which the Mo-Mentum Fitness world-class culture has been built upon.
Mo-Mentum’s Core Values Include:
· Mindset for growth, constant never-ending learning – if you’re not growing, you’re shrinking.
· Over-deliver on all we do.
· Tribe – we all need a supportive and inspiring tribe, people we can be ourselves around and who nudge us to be one percent better every day.
· Transparency – We believe in honesty with ourselves and with others of course.
· Vitality – We believe in living vibrantly and living all out with courage and passion.