Check out this article on a church in Cincinnati which purchased a water park and is planning a $20 million investment with “the first phase of the project, expected to cost between $6 million and $8 million, includes a 1,500-seat worship center with a 300-seat chapel. The church also wants to build a 15,000-square-foot indoor sports complex with a roller-skating rink, and room for volleyball, soccer and other indoor sports.”

As we enjoy all of our Christmas parties (and goodies at the office!), I know that in the back of many of our minds is, “at the beginning of the year, I’m going to get back to the gym and go on a diet!” Below are some tips for beginning your exercise program from my experience through the years as a physical therapist and avid exerciser, with mistakes that many people make:

1. Get the word “diet” out of your vocabulary once and for all! (yes, that is my number one tip!) Concentrate on healthy, wholesome food. As a confirmed fat-o-holic (I love fatty foods!), I can truthfully tell you that the past few months have been a revelation to me in eating healthy. While recovering from my bike accident, I could not eat all the things I normally eat. I began to eat more healthy food, and I experienced a new phenomenon for me: I don’t crave the fatty food as much anymore! Changing your eating habits really can make a difference, and “dieting” only messes with your metabolism, causing it to slow down and not burn as many of the calories that you are desperately trying to cut from your diet. Talk to me about this sometime face to face (or e-mail me!) for further info.

Well, here I am writing a health and wellness blog. What’s the point?, I ask and so may you. Well my goal would be that someone, just one person, would read this and make one significant life improving step towards a healthier, happier life (yes being healthy does make you happy).

I am sure many of you realize I’m an athlete, and no, this blog is not to turn you into an athlete. Being an athlete and being a healthy, fit person are two very different things. The dedication and discipline required to be a good athlete are not needed to be a healthy fit person, however many of the same lifestyle changes and thought patterns must be shared by both.