As January comes to an end, I’m sure most people are tired of hearing about health and fitness. As everyone knows the New Year brings new resolutions, most of which involve getting healthier. This doesn’t have to be…. Here at Phalen Leadership Academy (PLA) AYS, the students and I are embarking on a journey to a healthier lifestyle. Each week we choose healthier snacks over processed, high-calorie snacks and focus on being active to stay fit.
My main goal for the scholars here at PLA is to teach them that it is not about completely overhauling one’s life, but creating a healthy balance. Do we eat cookies sometimes? Yes!! Do we have chocolate candy sometimes? Yes!!! Do we always, everyday put our bodies through physical drills? NO! We find a balance. What I have found here at PLA is that the students have started to crave the healthier snacks and look forward to our fun, wacky workouts. After about a month it became routine in these young kids’ lives and now they are happy to be healthier and stronger!
It’s never too late to change your life, and it doesn’t have to change all at once. Remember it is never about taking things away from your life but adding things. Add one physical activity to your week this week. Add one more serving of veggies to your plate today. Encourage your friends and family to do the same and see what happens in a few months’ time!
By Christa Martini, AYS Program Director at Phalen Leadership Academy