member spotlight
HAC MEMBER
DIANA FRECCIA
by Diana Freccia
If you have seen me recently , I have probably had a pen in my hand . This past year has been an incredible journey for me both in fitness and in writing . I pushed my limits and signed up for many challenges . Last November , when I wrote my Enhance cover story , I also embarked on National Novel Writing Month ( NaNoWriMo ). By joining , you commit to 50,000 words in 30 days . I succeeded , but then I still had more work to do and I panicked and had to take a step back . I worked on adding tools to my toolkit , both physically and mentally .
48 HACHEALTHCLUB . COM
I have really been amazed at my transformation in 24 days and one year ’ s time .
I took nine artistic classes at Longwood Gardens . I coached with Sally Miller and learned about breathing and meditation . I signed up for the Dog Days of Summer Fitness Challenge and Project Zero . I wrote harder than ever before , producing eight articles for Enhance . I picked my own topics for my pieces , but they were deeply personal challenges . I wrote about motivation when I was at my least motivated ; I wrote about body image when I felt like covering up . I made my personal struggles public . It has been hard work , but worthwhile because it allowed me to sharpen my skills . “ A mind that is stretched by a new experience can never go back to its old dimensions .” – Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr .
Inspiration surrounds us everywhere . I find tons of it here at HAC ; fitspiration if you will . I admire each and every one of my fellow gym-goers , pro or novice . You are doing it : showing up , working hard , training , practicing , setting goals , personal records - and then smashing them . Some of you are medaled Olympians , and the rest of you are everyday heroes . I see a bit of me in all of you : in the students juggling sports and jobs and school - I was you . In the mamas and papas juggling the kids and the work and the fitness and the self - I am you . In those older than me , keeping in good shape - I aspire to be you .
We tend to think of exercise as exclusively an activity for our muscles , but it is equally important for our minds . While “ Raising the Barre ” in class , many of us were grunting and shaking and instructor , Judy , said , “ We forgot a muscle - our smiles !” I realized looking back that I used to be so angry . Angry about aging . Bitter that what worked for me at 20 no longer worked at 35 . Metabolism changes . Our bodies change . Things that never used to be a big deal are suddenly difficult . Aches and pains and injuries abound . Especially when you operate on autopilot without thinking about what you ’ re doing .
That is a surefire way to get hurt . HAC Trainer Damon preaches about that topic . He is right though . I used to think that just showing up was enough . I came , but I couldn ’ t figure out why I was not seeing results . The problem was that I was defeating the purpose by cheating on certain moves , not enjoying what I was doing , and not really knowing enough to properly watch what I was eating . I have been told that “ We can ’ t outrun our mouths .” It is not easy , but one small change at a time will create new habits and unlock new levels of fitness . I speak from experience . It was a long hard climb out of the dark , angry place I was in , but today I am excited about everything . “ It is impossible to excel at something you don ’ t enjoy .” When you enjoy what you do , you want to do it more , thus kicking off a positive cycle . Some days it is easy - others it is a stretch . “ Blessed are the flexible because they will never get bent out of shape .”
NaNoWriMo rolled back around and this year , and I planned to finish my original book . Instead , I and Sally Miller ( Master Meditator ) created a 24 Day Gratitude Challenge for November . She came up with questions and I designed an image for her to post . I composed a daily image and I paired it with my writing . I got to flex both my photography and my writing muscles . By the end of the month I figured out that my book is my Gratitude Challenge . I started off not knowing what I was doing , but I ended up doing something amazing . One of my favorite advisors always says , “ To begin , begin .” My working title is “ Gratitude Changes Your Whole Attitude .” I have really been amazed at my transformation in 24 days and one year ’ s time . They say it takes 21 days to form a habit , so set your goals wisely and make small , daily strides . Before you know it you will be doing it !
Thank you for reading and good luck with your fitness goals in 2017 . May this be the year that you find what works for you . Make It Real ! Make FIT happen !