My "Why?"

If you have played with Taylored Fitness before, you know that we often give you points during a Challenge for identifying the #1 reason you want fitness in your life. Since I ask you to do it, I thought it was only fair that I let you in on mine. 

There is a popular mantra in the fitness world that says "you have to want to do it for yourself".  

I believe that. And for me, the commitment to fitness goes so far beyond myself.

There are people in my life that depend on me. I am a mother, a wife, a daughter, a PTA member, a Lion, a neighbor, a friend and a business owner. These things are not thrust upon me, I choose each one of them and I love being all of them. While I wouldn't trade any one of my roles for all the sleep in the world (most days), it is impossible to deny that each one of my 'jobs' is a commitment of time and energy. Both of which everyone of us has in limited amounts. 

This is where fitness comes in.

Spending at least a few minutes everyday doing things that keep me well is a commitment I make so that I have the best shot at continuing to do all the things expected of me in all the roles I play. In order for me to be the best mother, wife, daughter...you get the picture, I need to be healthy. Exercise, eating well, and getting enough rest are the base for giving me the best shot of doing that. 

Does that mean if we exercise and eat right we will never get sick, or have to take a day off? 

Of course not. In fact, I am in the process of recuperating from major surgery right now. This recovery is a large part of the inspiration behind sharing my "why" today. I'm happy to share more about the surgery itself, the recovery process and my intense gratitude for talented medical professionals, my family and support network; with anyone who is interested, but today, I want to talk about how my "Why?" is changing the way Taylored Fitness does business.

I am betting that I am not the only one who is motivated by the desire to serve my family and community.  The resurgence of service clubs and strength of so many community non-profits even in the current economy tells me that we are living in a time of intense desire on the part of those who can to serve others. In order to be our best for those we serve, we must take care of ourselves!


We are taking a leap this month and introducing an new piece of our Open Challenge that speaks, or rather, shouts to our 'Why?'

When you sign up to play with us, you can add the "+5 for Philanthropy" option. At the end of the Challenge we'll give your $5 plus the rest we collect this way to a deserving Community Organization. Everyone who makes the extra donation and makes it to the Accountability drawing* will help choose which organization gets the donation for that month. This month's organizations are The Craig Hospital Foundation, Developmental Pathways or the National Sports Center for the Disabled. 

It sounds cliche but this seems like a win/win to us. We get to enjoy the fruits of a healthy body, including an increased ability to continue to do the things others count on us for, and we get to support organizations in our community that do good work too! 

What do you think? 

Of course we hope you will play with us, and we'd also love to hear what you think of our idea. We know we aren't the only ones doing things like this, let us know if you've participated in something like this before, we'd love to learn. This month I have chosen community organizations that speak to me personally but we would love to hear about organizations that you feel passionately about and for whom you are motivated to be your best you!

*All players who turn in 28 Scorecards by the deadline at the end of an Open Challenge are entered into the random Accountability drawing. Starting this month everyone who meets Accountability criteria and added the extra $5 when they signed up will also get a vote on where the +5 money goes.