walking through fire

    this beautiful autographed book of poetry appeared in my mailbox recently. along with a lovely note from an inspirational client who is now a dear friend. (thank you, sheila.)

i was quite taken with this inscription by j.a. jance: "april, who helps those walking through fire."    

    touching, befitting, meaningful, exquisite. all of those things, wrapped up at once, in a perfect gift to me.

yes. i help those walking through fire. those who are going through the journey of reshaping their essence. those who are reinventing themselves after suffering from an eating disorder.

next week i will be going deeper into this analogy. probing into what it means to walk through fire to the other side. to the coolness and relief of a calm oasis of well-being.

i attempt to quench the searing heat in many different ways. interestingly, one of the tools i use is the physical act of walking. and so today that will be my focus.

walking.

i've led groups of walkers at a community center. i've walked with a small circle of women at my studio. i've walked 1:1 with clients inside and outside. all the while talking, coaching, unraveling, deciphering, laughing, connecting.

magical motivation for both body and soul. moving meditation.

i walk with my family. i walk with friends. i walk by myself.

inside, outside. with DVDs, with music. walking is my go-to workout. for staying in shape. physically and mentally.

walking is something people at all levels can do. and, as we take each step, we soon begin to realize the inherent metaphor. we are putting ourselves in control. of our health, of our situation, of our lives. one step at a time.

in my work as an eating disorders aftercare coach, i see strong women. women grieving their anorexia and bulimia, but ready to move beyond. women eager to reclaim their lives.

it's not easy though. there are the inevitable setbacks. victory after victory, but also obstacles and defeats.

sometimes, after food-related behaviors have ceased, i witness a natural progression. a somewhat crooked path leading to compulsive exercise. a seemingly "valid" reason to hang onto remnants of the eating disorder.

and that is when i love to introduce walking. specifically leslie sansone-style walking.    

    i am a certified leslie sansone walk leader. these workouts became part of my personal exercise routine many years ago. and i have been a faithful fan ever since. it seemed obvious to all who knew me when i became a walk leader. and started spreading the word.    

    they are multi-muscle walks that work the legs, the upper body, and the core. and they are easy to follow (with four basic steps).

walking is a perfect way to rejuvenate the body without abusing it. it alleviates stress, clears the mind, guards against heart disease. it boosts the immune system and keeps the brain sharp.

i find it crucial to have a reasonable - rather than overly rigorous - fitness plan in place. walking is not only an effective and energetic workout. it's a sensible and safe one as well. it is an ideal way to gently ease my clients back into a solid fitness routine. one that they can continue forever and one that they can have fun doing. exercise is no longer seen as punishment. but as something to look forward to and embrace.

it is often the exact transition needed. the final push into an overall healthy and happy lifestyle.

walking. magical indeed.     hippocrates said that "walking is man's best medicine." who would like to walk alongside me?         [maxbutton id="1"]