How EssentialSteps Helped Susan W
“For years I struggled to maintain an exercise program. I was exercising intermittently with lots of guilt and frustration when I was in the periods of no exercise. By the time I’d heard about EssentialSteps, I was eager for a new philosophy, new ideas for exercising. The program has completely changed my approach to exercise, and the guilt and self-deprecating emotions are now gone. I make plans to exercise on a weekly basis with extra plans just in case one day does not happen. I now look at being physically active as being as important and necessary as showering and brushing my teeth. I recognize that plans will have obstacles and not to fight that. Most importantly, I make sure it gets on the family calendar, equal to other peoples’ schedules and needs.”
A happy, healthy mommy is a happy, healthy family
“EssentialSteps has successfully helped me to maintain exercise on a more consistent and regular basis. The intensity has varied given different aspects in my health and life, but my general level of activity has been consistent since taking the program ten years ago. EssentialSteps has also helped boost my “self-care”- esteem. I learned that I needed to stop completely sacrificing myself and my self-care for others – and, as a result, my sense of well-being was increased. It is clear to me now that aerobic exercise is a natural anti-depressant, and I need a dose at least 3 times a week! There is no need to feel guilty about putting myself on the calendar for exercise. When I feel my best, I know my family feels the benefits, too! I hope to continue to be a role model for my children and my husband.”
Feeling good in my own skin
“Through doing the EssentialSteps program, I realized that I had always exercised to improve my body. I would work out, work out, and work out – but my body never seemed to look like the magazines. Of course, I want to look good, but now I exercise to feel good mentally and physically, not to look different than I am. Instead of finding exercises by looking for the “latest and greatest” at the gym, I find exercises that I enjoy doing. EssentialSteps encouraged me to try new exercises, and that is how I discovered that I like yoga. These days I do many types of exercises, and I do them because they make me feel good.”
Fitting in fitness
“Two things in the EssentialSteps program have stuck with me during all of these years since I took it. One is the importance of scheduling the exercise and sticking with the schedule. The second is just having the mental mantra of “fitting in fitness.” When I can’t do what I had hoped to do because life happens, I put the EssentialSteps teaching into place about being creative when challenges arise to my exercise plans. I always pat myself on the back for doing whatever activity I am able to do, even if is not what I had hoped for. Many times it is literally squeezing in fitness. I absolutely would recommend the program to others simply because it works. Women have specific obstacles to maintaining exercise programs, and this program addresses those as well as general exercise issues.”
