How EssentialSteps Helped Leslie
“I worked with Michelle and learned the EssentialSteps philosophy in 1997 when I was 55 years old. I realized that I needed to gain strength and that my body was rapidly heading south! I had never exercised regularly before, and I wanted to see how I could overcome my resistance to it. To my amazement, I have sustained physical activity since doing the program 10 years ago!”
Facing mental barriers
“The key ideas in the program changed my approach to physical activity. I became aware of the mental obstacles that I faced, that were mostly learned in childhood, and which helped me overcome my life-long resistance to exercise. I learned how much exercise is critical to successful, healthy aging. The most important and newest idea to me was that there are many different types of exercise that “count,” including everyday activities. I need to choose the type of exercise that I enjoy and can fit into my daily routine. I now know how to prioritize exercise, and I realize that excuses are not really valid when you make exercise a priority. The major “teaching” I learned in EssentialSteps is that the mindsets I had used to avoid exercise were not valid; I had the ability to change those mindsets if I wanted to badly enough.”
Exercise as a fun priority
“The idea that has most helped me sustain activity since 1997 is that exercise can actually be fun! And that it’s ok to have occasional “lapses.” I know that I must make exercise a priority, even mark it on my calendar as an “appointment.” Because of what I learned in EssentialSteps, I have received many of the health benefits from regular activity, both mental and physical. I strongly recommend EssentialSteps and working with Michelle to other women!”
