FemFusion Fitness for Teen Girls: BOOM! (Success!)

I was thrilled to spend the morning movin’ and groovin’ with these girls (plus another, not in the picture):

I hope they had as much fun as I did!

For me, this was a very special opportunity to help make a difference in the lives of girls who are just setting out on their own health and fitness journeys. Attendees were between 11-14 years old… Old enough to begin taking charge of their own health and wellness… So it was an honor to provide them with some tips, education, and (I hope) a bit of inspiration that they will be able to take with them as they grow and make their own health decisions.

I began by telling the girls about about my own less-than-stellar history when it comes to sports and athletic performance… I was the girl who was picked last for the team, I dreaded PE class, and I was incredibly uncoordinated when it came to team sports. I did, however, excel at running. I encouraged the girls to find some sort of active activity that they love, even if they are not “sporty” in the traditional sense. Yoga, aerobics/group fitness classes, walking, running, biking, hiking… It’s all good! It does NOT have to be an organized sport to be a healthy and enjoyable activity.

We also talked about the definition of the “core” — that the core muscles include MUCH MORE than just the abdominal muscles. We reviewed some anatomy basics (including the location of the “core” muscles from the bottom up — the pelvic floor and hip muscles, abdominal and back muscles, and the breathing diaphragm at the very top), and then we discussed POSTURE.

Which looks better, I asked… This:

Or this?

We all concurred that #2 looked better: Stronger, more confident, and healthier. Then we practiced finding perfect posture and alignment starting from the ground up (as shown in my video, “Look 5 pounds lighter with this trick”), and — of course — we practiced a FOUNDATION of FemFusion Fitness, “zipping up.”

We discussed the (spot-on) theory that MOVEMENT IS THE KEY TO HEALTH. All of the girls indicated that they’re hoping to attend college one day, and we discussed how finding ENJOYABLE ways to move NOW — and how getting in the habit of exercising/moving on a regular basis — will help prevent the aches and pains that often begin in college as a result of sitting and studying over books or at the computer for  hours on end (and will help ward off the dreaded “freshman 15″ as well!).

I think they got it.

Thanks again to the girls who participated in the FemFusion Fitness for Teens workshop (and for the moms who encouraged them to attend)!

Are you a teen who struggles with not feeling “sporty?” Or do you have a daughter who is beginning to show some independence when it comes to navigating her own personal health and fitness journey? Please comment below!