Becoming Fit For Life

by Roxanne A. Atkinson

It takes a decision to change a habit and a decision to start a habit.

I can remember so clearly when that “something” clicked inside my brain and I decided to not be as I was any longer… I would become a better me… a healthier me.  The decision took but a moment, but it was a ‘life changing’ moment, and it continues to impact my life to this day.

Since 1980, exercise has been a part of what I do for me.  It is one habit that has benefitted me and as a bonus, allowed me to encourage others.  It became a part of my day… a ‘no brainer,’ because when something becomes a habit, it is not necessary to think about it much… one just does it!

Nike’s logo of Just Do It, became my mantra!  I “Just Do It” everyday just like I brush my teeth, get dressed for the day, eat when I’m hungry, and rest when I’m tired.

I recently came across a newsletter that I had written in 1989, for my aerobics classes.  The featured article was an essay that was given to me at an International Dance Exercise Association (I.D.E.A.) convention in San Diego.

It was written by legendary football coach George Allen of the Washington Redskins and the Los Angeles Ram.  At that time he was the Chairman of the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports and the National Fitness Foundation.  The essay (reprinted above) sums up so well how I feel about my workouts.

I get some of my best ideas while working out… It fires up the brain cells and for one hour I am just me… I compete against myself, no one else… I challenge myself to work through the desire to quit and call it a day… to finish what I started by successfully reaching my target heart rate and sustaining it there for 30-35 minutes.

Quitting is not an option.  The classes I teach hold me accountable, and we encourage one another in this same way.

I have heard it said that it takes 15 days to begin a habit and make it part of your life.  For me that decision has changed my life in so many positive ways.  The decision to change must happen before the habit can begin.  To say that “I love my job” would be an understatement.  It really helped to define the person that I have become.  I love teaching and interacting with people of all ages.  People in my classes inspire me to continue because I see changes occurring in their lives when they make that decision to allow exercise to become a habit for them.  There are many success stories that I can recall through the years.  Kellye Couvillion has been there with me since the beginning in 1983.  It has allowed her to know her body in a way that has benefitted her health.  Linda Spedale has made her workouts part of her weekly habit since 1984.  She not only looks years younger than she is, but has the stamina to work out hard that would put much younger people to shame.  Rita McKee has been faithful to her habit of exercise for over 25 years. Doris Jolibois, who just recently turned 80 and has worked out since 1987, is a regular.  She was diagnosed with Parkinson’s and her doctor advised her to continue to exercise as she has done all these years to slow down the progress of this disease.   The late Babe Teed exercised with me the day classes began and continued her exercise regime until well past the age of 83.  It greatly enhanced the quality of her life. Some of my students have been with me more than 10 years:

Jan Tate, Missy Drude, Linda Cheek, Jeri Rogers, Susan Harris, Dara Bliss, Nancy Carlyle, Wendy Drennon,  Mary Legendre,  Jackay Metz,  Melanie Way, Earl Atkinson, Teresa Broussard, Angelle Wood, Peggy Butler, Lori Gautreaux, Lynn Kennedy, Eileen LeFeaux, Marilyn Randall,  Carmen  Fruge’ and Rachel Vessier

Their decisions became habits years ago.  My grandfather, Worthy Lemoine, lived to be 107 by doing regular exercise.  I can still remember him walking faithfully, doing pull ups off the carport, and later in life, leading the aerobics class at the home where he lived.  George Burns, a well known comedian, once said that our bodies are designed to work…. “If they don’t work, they rust out,” he said. George walked every day.  He said it was much easier than mixing a drink… “All you have to do,” he said, is put one foot in front of the other, and then do it again and again, and before you know it, you’re walking!”

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!”  That verse from Philippians 4:13 has been a source of strength to me through all these years.  Praying and meditating on these words encourage me to continue working on maintaining positive habits.  With Him, I know that I can try new things, keep on doing what works and know beyond a doubt that He walks with me through it all.  For years, I kept this scripture posted on the wall in the Bob and Carolyn Baker Family Life Center at Magnolia United Methodist Church. I repeat it in my head when I struggle with creating a new positive habit.  Those words strengthen me and I know they strengthen my classes and others as well.  Body, mind, and

Spirit work together to improve the quality of life.

Whatever your goals for a lifestyle change, you are one decision away from beginning a positive habit.  Be encouraged… Seek what works for you.  It is never too late to begin.  For me, the decision to work out, to get moving, to jump into life, and to help others to do the same has been so rewarding.  That habit continues to enable me to adapt to what living in this world brings with all of its challenge… and helps me to Be Fit for Life!