Choose to make your health and fitness a priority

I have been sharing my fitness tips and tricks over the last 13 years with my best friends. That, in turn, has transformed my career into a full health and wellness company. I am forever grateful that I can help so many people of all ages and those in zip codes far away from me. 

One thing that I have learned over the years is that taking care of your body is a form of self-respect — not just for yourself, but to the one who made you.

I struggled for a long time with a “selfish-guilty-weird” feeling that by working out and taking care of my own body — that THAT meant I took a little time away from my family. And, that accordion nonsense made me a crazy woman. BUT, here’s the deal — and hear me clear (because you know I have a big mouth with plenty to say) — you cannot continue to give from an empty cup. You must take care of yourself - everything else will fall into place.

I was a single mom working in the corporate jungle when I began my own journey. I created workouts and fitness routines that I did with my son. We rode bikes together, we played jump rope together, we did sit ups together. Taking care of yourself and working out doesn’t mean you leave your family for hours and days — it just means you are adding value to your own life and health — and, ultimately theirs as well.

For me, physical fitness is kind of a big deal — as you already know. With each workout I am pushed out of my comfort zone, I am forced to get tough, to trust that I am stronger than I know.

I am grateful for the health that allows me to do it at 50 years old and I believe I am preparing myself for whatever strength or endurance is required of me in the future.

From personal experience I know that when I tackle on the big stuff life throws my way, I experience more peace and less stress than if I wasn’t taking care of myself.

It’s simply my choice to get stronger mentally, emotionally and physically. It will always remain a daily, ongoing process - because if you’re not working on getting stronger, you’re getting weaker … right?

One of the things I do often on my social media platform is share great things that make my  life easier!

My favorite leggings to work out in, where to find amazing running shoes, sports bras, socks that stay on, hair ties that won’t break your hair, long sleeve running tops for fall, etc.

Whatever I think makes my life easier, I love to share with my peeps because I know it might help someone else.

One of the super cool things I found is another way to blend my shakes and fruit smoothies while on the go. Yep, no power cord or additional kitchen appliance needed.

I know there are a plethora of options out there, but what I’ve found to be extremely helpful and super quick is the Portable Blender Smoothie Bottle. It seriously blends all my fruits up together and I’m actually saving time because there is no blender to wash. Win. Win.

Please email me directly for the link. You will love it. (And, yes, it comes in pink.)

Natalie Dreger is a certified fitness professional and can be reached at nataliedreger.com.