THE POWER OF MOVEMENT
Everyone at Fun and Moving (FAM) has a personal story to share about how ‘The FAM’ could have helped them, or someone close to them, have a better way of life through the power of movement.
The FAM did not just spring up overnight; many thousands of hours have gone into creating this medically-approved, accessible way to rehab, improve one's memory, or begin an exercise regimen... for EVERYONE!
Here are three of our own stories that provided the genesis of bringing Fun And Moving to the world:
Peggy got in shape for the first time in her life losing 50 pounds after introducing exercise instead of just yo-yo dieting. And then she got cancer. Ugh. Thyroid cancer to be specific. She had several complications in surgery: severed vocal chords and damaged parathyroids. She was literally speechless and had osteopenia. Realisng she had a long road to recovery including speech therapy, she learned to modify all her activities by never getting down on the floor, low impact exercises, and using only her body weight. She knew that movement was the key to life, even though she could not work out the traditional way.
She became an ACE Certified Personal Trainer one year later. The biggest challenge of her life has become her greatest strength. She understands being overweight, non-athletic, and having an illness. 18 years of helping others that have challenges from strokes to knee replacements has been a joy. That is why being able to bring Fun And Moving into homes is so exciting. She believes that fitness isn’t just for the fit. All of us need help from time to time, that’s why rehab is included with our exercise. When the traditional way of working out is not possible, too hard, too expensive, too exclusive, or too boring, there’s FunAndMoving. Anyone can get in better health. It’s available to all.
Pat (Showbiz Pat in the FAMily) was only 11 years old when she was diagnosed with Osgood–Schlatter disease, a painful knee condition. Rest was prescribed for two years, total rest, not even walking. Imagine that for an 11 year old active child. Over the two years, her body became weak, she gained weight, and as a young teen began to hate herself.
Although the doctors prescribed the correct action, it never occurred to them to suggest that Pat should be participating in movement that didn’t use her leg but still kept her healthy. This is just the kind of situation that FAM want to address, no matter how injured one part of the body is, we can keep our heart healthy and the rest of our body strong. Pat did recover and fortunately due to an attentive mum got back on her feet and re-started her life, that mum suffered with dementia many years later, FAM would have been a great resource to help Pat and he mum through those times, but that’s another story!
And finally, this is Chris’s story, the man who ignited the Fun and Moving flame!
I had a once-in-a-lifetime friendship with my Opa, grandfather in German. He was an immigrant to the US and worked the streets of New York City delivering cheese, eggs, and pickles in an unairconditioned truck, six days a week, twelve hours days. When things get rocky in my life, I think of him. Somehow, I quickly settle.
He retired at sixty-two to live out his life with my Oma. The bride he kept his promise to and sent for after six months in the States. Oma died on their first vacation together. He didn’t even know how to boil and egg.
Opa moved to our town to be closer to our family, my mom was his only child. He and I were best friends, and he came to every sporting event and watched from his lawn chair, always with a big smile and a wave. He was very fit and stayed active by walking everywhere and eating right. He never went to a gym, bought workout clothes, or fancy sneakers; just did his calisthenics and walked. So simple, but so perfect.
He lived to be ninety-one years of age, suffering from Alzheimer’s toward the end of his life. A brutal disease for all who know it; I do not wish it upon anyone, but I am grateful for my experience with it. It taught me the greatest gift of our relationship and that was empathy. I was there for my Opa and I knew that gave him great comfort; it gave me comfort too all these years later.
Through my Opa’s example, a few friends and I created funandmoving.com. We just felt everyone should have an affordable way to get (and stay) healthy long-term. It’s just what we believe.