Is 2011 the year you discover the new you? 

As the New Year is upon us it brings the seeds of hope and a chance to revitalize our lives and our health.  We set goals and try to make healthy choices, but along the way we feel overwhelmed and lonely when we can’t see immediate results – we want to make too many changes and in doing so, can sabotage all our good intentions and resolutions.  There is help and you don’t have to feel alone.  We at the Bob L. Burger Center believe there are four constants to improving ones health and well being.

1. Resistance Training
2. Cardiovascular Training
3. Proven and scientifically safe and effective nutritional plan
4. Replacing unhealthy habitual behaviors with rewarding, revitalizing activities,

The key is in lifestyle change.  Our guests learn how to think about their relationship to themselves and to others.  They feel more energetic, happy, and calm. I see it every day when I walk up to the center and see people of all ages coming out smiling and displaying a positive confidence and energy. I learn from them as I see them believing that exercise is a normal part of a balanced lifestyle.  It’s like there is a song in the air as people are tuning in to their body and ready to face their day and live their lives out loud.

My attitude adjustment continues as I am greeted by the friendly staff asking me about my day, and I know that they are listening to my answer with their hearts.  I see the poster about the nutritional classes available or the scores of classes for any fitness level.  As I enter the weight room I am greeted by the familiar “clink” of weights being loaded and the friendly nod from the Facility Director who himself is in the trenches starting his day with a smile.

I look to my right through the full size basketball court and see children in a gymnastics class just plain having fun in a safe and instructional class.  Across the way and beyond the full size pool, I see steam rising from the outdoor hot tub knowing that it is well kept and inviting to help one relax after any workout.  Then, to top it off, I know that the steam room is always there to massage the mind and body.

As I leave the center, I see instructors working with a prenatal mother, or an elderly gentleman being helped through his stretches, or a lady being helped out of a wheelchair to do exercises she thought never possible.  I pass by groups of people going or coming from classes and it’s obvious they are not alone in attaining their goals, whether social, physical, or mental.

Whatever your Resolution is this year there is support here at the Bob L. Burger Recreation Center. Whatever bad habits you wish to leave behind there is a place here to fill that void.  The changes we experience here are not simply about our bodies but changes about our lives. My resolutions are now not a big dramatic thing but have become modulated into my everyday life.  Wow! And to think, it only took a little more than an hour and cost less than a medium size coffee.

Article submitted by Jack Wagner, Certified Fitness Trainer and Certified Silver Sneakers/Cardio Circuit Instructor at the Bob Burger Recreation Center.  Join Jack for a new class offering Tues/Thurs mornings at the BBRC; Power Training for Life After 50.