My parents are the best!

My parents care about being healthy. They know that being in good shape doesn't simply mean fitting into your clothes or losing an extra 5 lbs or winning a "best abs" contest. They know that being healthy is about being able to keep up with your kids. It's about hauling heavy things to fix a roof. It's about making sure they can walk up a flight of stairs when they are 90. It's about having the proper blood pressure and cholesterol numbers. The lessons that my parents have passed down to me are what compel me to exercise in different ways, to try new workout classes and to push myself when I'm too tired or lazy. When I was in high school, they bought me a gym membership to the fitness center at the Grand Traverse Resort. That was just the beginnning of my infatuation. I think I've had a gym membership ever since then. And I have learned there are plenty of ways to stay fit outside of the gym. I have gone snow shoeing, kayaking and water skiing with my parents. They aren't afraid of a vigorous sweat and some sore muscles.

This past weekend I was visiting with them in GR. They paid for me to be a guest at their fancy fitness center. I was so thrilled! I wanted to run that weekend, but I was deterred by the blizzards and the fiercely low wind chill temperatures. We all hopped on the treadmills in differing stages of walking and running. I was so happy to run 3.5 miles while working on intervals of faster paces. I feel fabulous when I can start the week off that way. It energizes me mentally and I feel alert and accomplished.

Thanks Mom and Dad for investing in my health, physically and psychologically. I'll try and keep it up throughout the rest of the week :)