IMPORTANT- Challenge Date Change- Learning COURAGE!!

Tomorrow was to start the Power of YOU Fall Fitness Challenge, but the date is to be postponed until next week.  That is not my norm when it comes to classes and my business, but my little girl, Makenzie Christina Shirey, is about to teach all of us a lesson.  The lesson of being strong, courageous and using your body because you can.


Monday, September 20th, my family and I were at the pool playing and laughing.  We were swimming and diving, enjoying the nice warm night and being active.  The week quickly turned on us.  On Thursday, September 23rd, we rushed Makenzie to the ER at Children's Hospital because she had been very sick with the stomach flu for 36 hours.  She is a vibrant, active, dynamic and energetic 6 year old who lost her energy and the flu took over. Sadly, Makenzie is now in ICU and about to teach us a big lesson- the lesson of COURAGE.  Makenzie has been diagnosed with Acute Pancreatitis, in addition to many other things. She is in a lot of pain, but barely complaining. She has been the biggest trooper and hugging her stuffed puppy with little winces as they perform test after test.  She has been sweetly holding our hand and staying so strong, while scared and nervous of what is going on around her.  What Makenzie has is very, very rare in children and terminal in any 60 year old with a minor heart condition. But she keeps going on and is fighting like no other.  Thus, she is using her body with fierce determination as it is fighting against her. 


Which makes me think, while Makenzie is using her strong little body as best as she can, what are YOU using your body for?  Are you challenging it daily to make sure your muscles are moving, your blood is flowing and you are a fighting machine?  Are you taking advantage of the beautiful days outside and going on adventures, hiking the hills, walking the beach, running around the island?  Are you planning out your time to make sure you use it wisely? If not, do so because YOU CAN.  If not, do so because YOU HAVE ONE BODY TO WORK FOR YOU.  If not, use your BODY to the best ways possible and don't complain about what it can't do, but CELEBRATE WHAT IT CAN DO! I am making a list(will be uploaded to the blog) of everything YOU DO in class and celebrating what YOU HAVE DONE!  I ask YOU to make a list of what your body CAN DO, and how vibrant YOU FEEL after.  Keep it posted in your house and look at it this week, so you can move when Makenzie is not able to and I am making means to. Do stairs at the park, and know I am doing stairs at the hospital. Do lunges in the kitchen and know I am doing lunges down the hallways of the ICU. Do push ups and dips on a park bench and know I am doing them beside Makenzie's bed.  USE your body because YOU CAN!

With Makenzie in ICU, the Power of YOU Fall Fitness Challenge is being adjusted to a start date of October 4th. I apologize for any inconvenience this may cause you, but family, love and wellness are  the most integral cornerstones to our lives.  I will use this week to adjust to our new reality of life at Children's Hospital for the next month and be ready to CHALLENGE YOU like no other on Monday, October 4th.  There are NO EXCUSES, all you have to do is lace your shoes and make it to Power Fitness PDX classes, Power of YOU Fall Fitness Challenge workshops, and check ins.  I will lead you through the rest.  I promise to because we all have been given the gift of one body to make as strong, vibrant and as healthy possible. I will do my best to help you reach your health and fitness goals like never before.

Let's work together to Challenge the POWER of YOU!

-Erin Kreitz Shirey, CEO Power Fitness PDX, Master Trainer & Coach
p- 503.703.1269
e- powerfitnesspdx@gmail.com
w- www.powerfitnesspdx.com
t- http://twitter.com/powerfitness