Inspirational IDEAs
Inspire the World to Fitness®: What IDEA members are doing every day to Inspire the World to Fitness™.
IDEA members have embraced the collective mission to Inspire the World to Fitness with heart and enthusiasm. Below are just some of the stories we’ve heard.
Butterfly From
the Cocoon
So many of my students are inspiring, but one gal really stands out. She changed all aspects of her life through fitness and went on to help others. When I first met her, she was the bookkeeper at our local health club. Like many people, this wonderful, warm person had tried every diet and exercise program, only to be met with failure. She was about 100 pounds over her ideal weight and had many health risks associated with obesity. One day I invited her to try indoor cycling with me.
I encouraged her to stay on the bike only as long as she felt comfortable. It was very hard for her to take that first step, but she knew the people in my class, and the camaraderie helped her. Encouragement was the key, and we gave her plenty. Little by little her endurance improved. She joined Weight Watchers and signed on with a personal trainer. Every week we watched as she emerged—a butterfly from the cocoon. She turned her successes into action by helping others and becoming a leader. She went to her first fitness convention a few months ago in hopes of becoming a certified fitness instructor. I have to say that while we may lose a very fine bookkeeper, look at what we will gain—another dedicated fitness professional!
Mindy Mylrea, Santa Cruz, California
Seeing Results
My vision is to help prevent 100% of Americans from being clinically obese by the year 2020. As a direct result of opening my own gym in Las Vegas and overcoming cancer of the bile duct, liver and pancreas, I have been given an opportunity to make a distinct difference in people’s lives.
My gym, Absolute Fitness, is a no-membership, results-oriented facility. People pay only if they are entering a program, and they are allowed to enter a program only if they make a personal declaration and commitment to their health. Once they make that commitment, we coach them. The results have been huge, and my life has become very exciting because I am making a difference in the community.
Sandy Wolff, Las Vegas, Nevada
Chair Leader
One woman has severe arthritis in her knees and had decided that, unfortunately, exercise wasn’t an option in her quest to lose weight. However, she needed to lose 85 pounds before having an operation to replace her knees. During a class she took on weight reduction, she heard about our program, Chair Danc-ing®. Since she began working out to our videos, she has lost 35 pounds—and she is still going strong.
Jodi Stolove, Del Mar, California
Boosting Self-Confidence
I’ve created a program called “Girls Only,” geared to teenagers. We meet for 11⁄2 hours once a week for 8 weeks. During the first 45 minutes we talk about eating disorders, chemical dependency, body image, self-esteem and dieting myths. The last 45 minutes are dedicated to a fun fitness game or activity.
At first the girls were really uncomfortable and self-conscious about being physically active. However, by the end of our third session they had loosened up and were very excited, wondering what our fun fitness activity would be for that meeting. Slowly, their attitudes toward fitness became much more positive, as did their self-confidence.
Vanessa Bumgardner, Bellefontaine, Ohio
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November 2004
© 2004 by IDEA Health & Fitness Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction without permission is strictly prohibited.
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