Fitness Tips from Fitness 2J2: Journey from Cancer treatment to Healthy Lifestyle with 2J2
- Joel Pedersen | April 10, 2016
Spring is almost here in “Saskabush” the snow is starting to finally melt the temperatures warming. I am sure your Mushum has already told you it really was not even a harsh winter! Not like the olden days! I think its fair to say we are all looking forward to the ice to leave the rivers and lakes. The soccer and football fields; the trails to dry up, so we can run and play again without being stuck in the mud and snow.
Quick shout out to a crew of 2J2 youth: Abby; Charlie & Elisah who participated in the Aboriginal Indoor Track&Field meet last month in Saskatoon and brought home some medals. April brings the Aboriginal Fitness Leader Preparatory Program to a successful completion. The crew will continue their goal of becoming Fitness leaders in community. Fitness 2J2 and the City of Saskatoon are looking forward to employ those who are ready to take the next step.
If your in Saskatoon, Fitness 2J2 has started up the learn to run program at St.Mary’s in Pleasant Hill. The plan is to prepare you for a 5Km 10Km run in June. We are still rolling the weekly bootcamp, and self-defence for women and youth. No cost programming for community, we are so stoked to have the future fitness leaders involved. This month will also take 2J2 training to Whitebear; Swift Current; and Yorkton for self-defence programming.
A couple of thoughts were going through my mind as I was out for a run today. We mostly move in a world controlled by others, how can we influence change? How do we find gratitude? When we see that the time is now to make the change for healthy and positive lifestyle, through physical activity without the concern of what others might think. This is when we can influence change in others, by change in ourselves.
This month I wanted to highlight one of our Functional Fitness 2J2 crew, dedicated and motivated. Her story is one of resilience and inspiration. A second chance at life, living each day to the fullest of her abilities, not settling for what could have been.
I first met Chelsey two years ago when she would drive in from WhiteCap Dakota FN to join in the bootcamp sessions at St.Marys. Chelsey told me of her battle with cancer and how she wanted to improve her health. We talked about some goals and some challenges, I could see how determined she was to improve her level of fitness. Since then I have seen Chelsey’s fitness level increase, she continues with slow pitch ball, inspire’s her friend’s, and her son to become more active and attend Functional Fitness sessions. Had some influence with her community Health & Wellness coordinator to have some 2J2 programing in Whitecap Dakota this past winter.
Chelsey has a positive attitude that attracts others to join her, as she continues with her fitness training. She is an Aboriginal woman whose confidence and perspective on life provides a quiet leadership that leads by example, by choosing to live a healthy and positive lifestyle. This will make a difference in her home community and enhances our program each week. It is important to have women like Chelsey to be role models in community particularly for girls and young women. To influence change be exemplifying how physical activity can bring balance to life.
It is people like Chelsey that remind us that, it’s not your physical limitations that will define who you are. It is your actions or your lack of action that will; your desire to live and challenge what is right in front of you; not to wait for someone to do for you, what you must do for yourself.
Fitness 2J2 is a socially responsible community based health and wellness company. Contributing to the success and vitality of our communities, promoting healthy and positive lifestyles for Aboriginal people of all ages and abilities. STRONG HEALTHY PROUD.