Prioritizing the journey over the destination

As a fitness professional, I have witnessed many people focus, so intensely, on the magic number on the scale or the perfect size dress, that the beauty of the journey is often missed and overshadowed. My hope is to give you perspective on how you can use fitness as a tool to help build confidence, reduce stress, increase resilience and create longevity. All of these can ultimately yield a beautiful life full of rich experiences, lasting friendships and self-discovery.

Fitness is a journey, not a destination. It's not meant to restrict you to the confines of workouts, calorie counting and missed moments with family and friends. It's not meant to weigh you down with the fear of making a wrong food choice or guilt from missing a workout. This thinking simply robs us of having the full experience that fitness brings into our lives. Fitness is simply a journey on which you strive to take daily steps to reach a healthier version of yourself. For some those steps might include signing up for a gym membership; for others it might include at-home workouts. The important thing is to do what you enjoy, and appreciate whatever your body is able to give you. Celebrating small victories, like being able to carry in the groceries or taking the stairs instead of the elevator, are successes to appreciate. These everyday activities ultimately lead to a better quality of living. 

No matter where you are on this journey, whether you are just starting or you have been exercising for years, I applaud you for a worthwhile pursuit. Exercise boosts mental and emotional stability. It reduces the risk of chronic disease. It improves the quality of sleep, aids in weight loss and so much more. So, stay on the journey. Smell your flowers along the way. Don't be too hard on yourself. Give yourself grace and permission to make mistakes and have setbacks. Every step counts, big or small. They all add up. They all get you there!

Laqueeta comes to GBU Life with a passion for building and fostering relationships in the community. She is an entrepreneur with a strong customer service background and is an active member in the community. As the District Engagement Specialist for the Great Lakes Region, she will assist district leaders and members in engaging and growing membership through fraternal activity.