The Power of Community: Making Exercise Your Daily Dose of Happiness
By Amanda Mittleman M.S.
In a world where hectic schedules and endless responsibilities often take center stage, finding balance and prioritizing our health can feel like an uphill battle. However, by tapping into the power of community and making exercise a non-negotiable part of our daily routine, we can unlock the key to living a vibrant, happy, healthy life.
Building Lifelong Strength: The Role of Community
Community plays a pivotal role in our health and well-being. Whether it’s joining a group fitness classes, small group personal training sessions or even personal training, participating in activities that involve people, or simply connecting with like-minded individuals, being part of a supportive community can provide the encouragement and accountability needed to stay on track with our fitness goals. We are each the average of the five people we spend the most time with, so surrounding ourselves with positive influences makes cultivating habits that promote lifelong strength and vitality much more doable.
Making Exercise a Non-Negotiable Habit
When it comes to exercise, consistency is key. By making exercise a non-negotiable part of our daily routine, you ensure that your body builds and maintains muscle for the long haul. Your muscle is your organ of longevity and the key to your freedom to move without limits as you age.
Whether it’s working out with your friends in the morning or after work, finding yourself a group of people or even one person like a personal trainer to commit too, to laugh with, and to cheer on and be cheered for, exercising with community brings happiness, accomplishment, confidence and fulfillment that makes all the difference in our physical and mental health.
Aging Independently with Fitness and Movement
As we age, (and we’re all aging) maintaining our independence becomes increasingly important. The earlier you start the better. Regular exercise not only helps us stay physically fit and mobile but also boosts our confidence and self-esteem. By prioritizing fitness and movement, you will age gracefully and confidently, knowing that you have the strength and resilience to navigate life’s challenges with ease.
The Role of Self-Care and Hormones
Exercise isn’t just about physical fitness and losing 20 pounds before your next high school reunion. It’s also about self-care and your overall well-being. When we exercise, our bodies release feel-good hormones like oxytocin and dopamine, which help reduce stress and promote a sense of happiness and fulfillment. By prioritizing self-care rituals like exercise, we can enhance our resilience and vibrance, allowing us to live life to the fullest.
Thriving Together: The Power of Community Support
Ultimately, the journey to vibrant health and wellness is not one we have to embark on alone. Nor should we embark on this journey alone. By surrounding ourselves with a supportive community of friends, family, and like-minded individuals, we can inspire and uplift each other to reach our goals and live our best lives. Together, we can create a world where aging is not something to be feared but embraced as an opportunity to thrive with joy and vitality.
In conclusion, building a supportive community and making exercise a non-negotiable part of our daily routine are essential components of living a vibrant, healthy life. By cultivating healthy habits, prioritizing fitness and movement, and embracing the power of community support, we can age independently and thrive with resilience and vibrance.
Tim! Thank you for being a bright light at Mo-Mentum.
TIM’S INTERVIEW:
Describe what your life (and your health) was like before fitness.
I’ve always kept myself in at least “okay shape” I don’t really remember life without fitness.
Was there ever a low point or an experience that made your priorities change?
When I had my first child 15 years ago my free time shrunk. I really had to prioritize fitness. I did not just have time after work to swim or run with friends. That is when I start more group fitness and classes early in the AM
How did fitness come into your life (or back into your life)?
As a child I was always playing sports and swimming a lot so fitness was always in my life. But here are a few things that got me into new activities.
- As a lifeguard for the city of Huntington Beach every year we would need to “requalify” our swimming. So I would need to jump back in the pool every spring and prepare for summer.
- At about age 35 I was retired as a guard and no longer interested in swimming. So like Forrest Gump “I started Running” From age 30-45 I ran a couple ½ marathons a year and mixed in a few full marathons.
What kind of results have you seen since starting a regular fitness program?
Better overall cardio Fitness… less foot pain from Fasciitis
Why do you make fitness a priority in your life?
I live an active lifestyle…. When I’m not focusing on my fitness regularly its more difficult to do the things I like.
These days, what makes you truly happy and feel at peace?
Family activities: Riding bikes, Snowboarding, hiking
What is your favorite thing about Mo-Mentum Fitness?
Community
What would you say to the person who know they need to start exercising but is afraid to start?
It makes living life easier! Just commit to it.
Specifics: your age? job title? children? spouse?
46 –
Business owner (State Farm agent)
2 kids ages 16 and 10
Wife – Kristin (fitness fanatic)
- What is your favorite quote? (We will be including this on the graphic we post
in the Mo-Mentum newsletter and social media posts.)
My favorite signer songwriter of all time is Jimmy Buffett here are a few
- “Wrinkles only go where the smiles have been.”
- “I’d rather die while I’m living then live while I’m dead”
- “ If it doesn’t work out, they’ll never be any doubt that the pleasure is worth all the pain”
