Tia Today: Return on investment
Is there a worthwhile ROI (return on investment) for getting fit?
The concept of return on investment is often in reference to a financial investment. Investors want a return on their investment of money within a specified time.
In getting fit, the idea of ROI applies to the time and effort involved in forging a change in lifestyle.
It takes time to get comfortable with making changes in an exercise routine. (Mmm, actually, adding a regular exercise routine.)
Time to say our mental dictums daily — twice. Time to identify goals in 10 areas that we want changed by the end of the 10-week Totally Fit Life (TFL) cycle.
Time to face past emotional issues and time to forgive those involved in those heartaches.
And time to spot a need in another person and fill that need during the day. That one is really pretty simple. Who needs a word of encouragement or a simple gesture of kindness? Could it be that cranky checker at the grocery store? A neighbor? Your boss?
And for some, the newest challenge, learning to take time to listen to God. To read and think about a single Bible verse each day and see life from a different and timeless point of view.
All of these little commitments add up to powerful ripples toward change within the life of each person — me — you — my classmates.
Are those commitments, that time, worth it?
At least three days a week I willingly drive across Greenwood in the dark to attend an exercise class with a dozen or so other TFL learners. We walk and talk, play games and laugh a lot. On days I never would have gone for a walk or done my pilates alone at home, I’ve enjoyed rebuilding my physical strength with these people and the help of our great coach, Rich. I started out far weaker than most of them, so you won’t hear stories of me losing umpteen pounds or tackling the mini-marathon just yet. However, I now have more stamina and can accomplish more each day. I also enjoy seeing these new TFL friends three times a week. What’s not to love about that?
ROI? Yes! It grows every month.
The Totally Fit Life System is being premiered in Indiana at The Gathering Place sports facility at Community Church of Greenwood, 317-884-0531, www.gatheringplaceonline.org. Tia Nielsen is not compensated by the TFL program or any of the facilities referenced.
