The Beginning

Let me introduce myself. I am the owner/operator of a Jazzercise Franchise. Although I have been involved with Jazzercise for 30 years, it is just in the past two years that I have decided to try to follow a dream of mine - to make my Jazzercise business a thriving one, with multiple instructors working with me, thereby allowing me the chance to offer many classes a week and possibly even expanding into multiple locations. With that dream comes all the trials and tribulations of running a business as well as the rewards. However, I consider myself one of the luckiest business owners in the world because my job allows me to have fun and stay fit all at the same time! "Have fun exercising?" you might be thinking. "Is that possible?" Yes it is, and that is a challenge I want to throw out to you. We have all heard of the many benefits of regular exercise: weight loss, muscle toning and strength building, increased flexibility, lowered blood pressure and cholesterol levels, increased cardiovascular endurance and energy levels, increased bone density, and my personal favorite - stress reduction. When I list these perks, I think why isn't everyone dropping everything and exercising every chance they get? I have heard every excuse, um, reason in the book. For most of us, the bottom line is time. You think, "I have no time", and I say "How can you afford to not make the time? Your life depends on it!" So that brings me back to my challenge. I believe there is a physical activity out there that you would have fun doing. Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to find that activity or activities. If you enjoy it, you are more likely to stick with it, and there are so many options out there! Of course my favorite is Jazzercise and I'd love for everyone to agree that it is their favorite, too! But the most important thing is to get moving, even if you just start with parking your car farther away when you go shopping, or sit on a stability ball while sitting at your desk or watching TV. Women in particular tend to put everyone and everything in front of our own needs. I challenge you to go ahead and be a little selfish in the coming year. Put yourself first and allow yourself the luxury of movement. Trust me - it will make you a better boss, wife, mother, daughter, sister - you name it- because you will feel so much better both physically and mentally.