Walking is such a great symbol for life.

You can't really know someone until you walk a mile in their shoes. Left foot, right foot, left foot, right foot. One step at a time, one day at a time. We walk by faith, not by sight.

Now shall I walk
or shall I ride?
"Ride," Pleasure said:
"Walk," Joy replied. ~W.H. Davies

If you have walked many miles with someone, you know what I mean. You are not just working out. There is a connection that is made in a profound way. I've often wondered if it is because we are walking side by side instead of facing each other. Shoulder to shoulder we share our lives, we share our struggles. We open our hearts and begin to heal. We listen and we connect.

It doesn't just happen walking. My running friends share this experience. I've connected with people at a level I didn't think possible while lifting barbells together. And I've seen the friendships that form within groups of women I train. Last year, two women in one of my groups both lost their mothers and to see how they began to heal with the help of exercise and the love of the women around them was beautiful.

We lost a member of our fitness family this week to cancer. If you ever walked with Lena, you know she loved it. She inspired everyone she met to get moving by losing over 100 pounds and spreading her love of exercise to all. Jud told me she was still lifting weights two weeks ago. There is an important lesson here. Moving your body is not only about a goal, it is about the joy of the moment. It's about right here, right now.

There is an evil thought that can take root when we lose someone who loves exercise so much and worked hard to lose weight. Things like what's the point...why even bother. That is a LIE. Every second counts and the time you invest in movement and connection is worth it! If you feel sad or lonely or anxious or stressed, I want you to find an exercise class or a walking group and show up to it this week. Be brave and open up to someone about who you are and why you are there. Make a meaningful connection. You'll be amazed.

Lifting weights doesn't change your life, it is what happen inside you as a result of lifting weights that changes your life for the better. A walk is a walk until you walk with someone and drop your guard and let them see the real you that perhaps you've been hiding away for a very long time. A fitness class is just that until you let your fellow students know you and care about you. This family is a strong one. We encourage, support and motivate each other. We walk together and we reflect back the beauty and truth in side each of us.

I am so glad you are part of this family.