I’ve been blessed to teach strength classes with a group of women who have trained with me for many years. We know each other’s varied exercise strengths and weaknesses and we rely on each other for accountability and encouragement. We are all different in what we are good at in the gym, and in what we like to do, but that makes it interesting and challenges us to grow. It’s the same in our spiritual lives. We are all different. We each have a different mission and anointing on our lives so it is important to pray and ask God to guide us in our spiritual practices. It is a very good thing that ..read more

Ever since I started strength coaching, I have emphasized that our thoughts matter and impact how we lift weights. Are we distracted? Then we are at risk for getting hurt. Are we thinking that we can’t do something? Then we won’t be able to do it. Are we practicing negative self-talk, such as , “I can’t do this, I don’t want to do this or I’m not good at this" … it definitely impacts our performance! What goes on in our minds effects how our bodies react. It’s the same in the spiritual life. Really, life in general. It’s a good spiritual practice to pay attention to our thoughts about ourselve ..read more

This is the time of year that I do spring cleaning and it feels good to clean out and give away items that we are no longer using. It’s interesting how I feel like the clutter encumbers me in my temporal life, but also in my spiritual life. Having stuff and maintaining stuff is a responsibility and a time commitment. The more I can simplify and streamline, the more time I have to give to God and others. I guess i would say that I’m striving to live a low maintenance life on the material front so that I have more time for soul-filling activities, such as praying and reading, spending time with ..read more

In our crazy, busy, distracted world, our hearts are crying out for peace — peace in our hearts, our bodies and in our minds. People often start exercising as a way to calm the body and mind. Movement and physical activity do have a proven physiological calming effect on the body. I enjoy moderately vigorous activity a few times a week, but other times, a peaceful walk, bike ride, gentle stretching or SoulCore (Rosary prayer with movement) brings me peace. Exercise is great to calm the body, but m favorite way to seek peace is by praying. My parish’s Adoration chapel is the most peaceful place ..read more

As the weather brightens up in Ohio, we begin to get outdoors more. One simple way to enjoy fresh air, exercise and nature is by walking. It’s funny that I often hear people say, ‘I don’t exercise, but I walk.’ Walking is one of the best exercises we can do! Our bodies are naturally designed to do it, it is low impact and it can get us outdoors. In fitness, walking is known as a nervous system rest and reset as walking calms us down and warms us up for other activities. On its own, walking is a powerful way to maintain good posture, lengthen and strengthen muscles and it can be easily paired w ..read more

It’s hard to escape repetition. It’s part of everyday lives — in our work, our study, our recreation, our home lives, our social lives and our prayer lives. In the gym, we do many of the same exercises repeatedly because they are just so good for the body. We know them well and we can execute them with a good result. Repetition allows us to challenge ourselves to improve. I’ve probably done thousands of squats over my lifetime and I will probably do thousands more, God willing. I never tire of the challenge and the strength benefits that many common exercises provide to the body. The familiar ..read more

Your body is simply amazing, just as it is, since the day you were born. Imagine if you challenged your body with moderate physical activity on a consistent basis, starting right now, so that you learn to move, strengthen and lift in new ways that help you to feel and move better and help transform your outlook on life. According to the CDC, only about 20% of us get the recommended amount of exercise each week, so the new year may be the perfect time to start. HOW DOES EXERCISE HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO TRANSFORM YOUR DAILY LIFE? EXERCISE IMPACTS YOUR RELATIONSHIPS, YOUR WORK, YOUR PLAY, YOUR OVER ..read more

Seasons. This season of Advent is such a beautiful time to reflect on the gift of different and special times in our lives and the opportunity they present to us for growth and gratitude. Advent fills me with anticipatory joy and challenges me to spend more time with Jesus. It reminds me to focus on people, giving and soul-filling activities. Since the new liturgical year begins with Advent, we can also look at this as a time of new beginnings and fostering new holy and healthy habits. Seasons. As I was reflecting recently with friends, we have different seasons in our physical lives. A friend ..read more

In physical training, rest is as important as the exercise to promote muscle recovery and to prevent injury. Often I’ll practice active rest on my off days so I’m stretching, waking, cycling or doing something lighter that uses muscles in a different way. Other days I do nothing physical at all which is important as well. Recently, I was able to go away for spiritual rest on a silent retreat with four friends; it was truly a gift to step out of the busyness and distractions of everyday life with a few days of open time to pray and reflect on life in a very special way, with special friends, an ..read more

One of the things I love about our exercise class is the lighthearted banter, the sharing, and the joy that we have hearing about each others’ lives while training nearly 10 years together. We respect each other and honor each other’s dignity and privacy. The camaraderie eases the challenges of the workouts and makes the environment comfortable, supportive and fun. The lighthearted banter, sharing, fun and mutual respect is also a doorway into sharing Jesus and inviting others into a relationship with him. When I was involved in Cum Cristo, we said, “Make a friend, be a friend, bring a friend ..read more