This year Rob and I are resolved to improve our health. We are both turning the big 4-0 in 2009 and have decided we want to spend the next decade healthier than we did the last. Because of my Fibromyalgia we have not been able to do the hiking, backpacking and other outdoor activities we once enjoyed doing together. An unfortunate side affect of my FM limitations has been that Rob no longer has his partner in crime to do all those activities with. Even something as simple as walking the dogs has become a solo activity for him.

Even though my doctor released me several months ago, I have frankly been fearful to start exercising again because I know it will lead to pain and to flare-ups, and I live everyday trying to avoid exacerbating my Fibromyalgia. And yet I firmly believe that I need to exercise to strengthen my core and my muscles, which will enable me to better manage my FM. Crazy, vicious circle! Well I think we have found the place that will encourage both of us to exercise and improve our health, and as our gift to each other this year we bought a membership.

Today is actually the grand opening of a brand-new-state-of-the-art Wellness Center which was built just a couple of miles from our house. When I first drove past the two-story, 58,000 square foot facility I had no idea what I was looking at. So I went to their website and found this description:

The Wellness Center offers the only health and fitness experience of its kind in the region. A fully-integrated health and fitness campus sets the stage for a comprehensive, medically integrated environment focused on your total well-being, ranging from day-to-day health maintenance to sports performance training and rehabilitation.

We also place a priority on personalized service. Our team of degreed and certified fitness specialists, dietitians and health educators are able to work collaboratively with you to develop a personalized fitness program that will help you achieve the positive benefits of exercise including:

• Improved quality of life
• Reduced risk of heart disease, diabetes and cancer
• Weight control and enhanced body composition
• Healthier bones, muscles and joints
• Increased flexibility
• Increased muscle strength and endurance
• Increased cardiovascular fitness
• Lower blood pressure
• Reduced stress
• Healthier outlook

After reading this my interest was peaked, so Rob and I went on a tour last month, and before we even got out of the locker room we were convinced this was the place where we could both commit to getting our health back. Not only do they have every high-end piece of gym equipment you would expect to find, but included in the membership are cooking and nutrition classes; meditation, yoga, pilates & qigong classes; three indoor pools with aquatic fitness classes; personal trainers and physical therapists. They even have massage and accupunture, but they do cost extra.

We were beyond impressed with the Wellness Center. Rob calls it a fitness country club. They have everything I need to ease myself back into exercise and they are all about improving health and wellness. I have been interested in Qigong for quite some time, but the only place I could find that offers it is 45 minutes away. Now it is just down the road, and if all is well I will be taking my first class this Thursday. So we are excited, and RESOLVED to get the most out of the Center and improving our health. As a team I believe we can do anything. To quote Rob, we will be “looking fine in 0-9.”