Good Bye 2021

Reflecting back on 2021 we can proudly say we have successfully navigated through a challenging year. We should be satisfied with our physical achievements and accomplishments. I have witnessed an increased range of motion, heavier weights being lifted, and workouts done with more enthusiasm and frequency. Therefore, I would like you to allow yourself to celebrate what you have achieved this year and be proud of your bodies.

As a gymnast and exercise physiologist I have always been aware of how amazing the human body is and how much it is capable of, and that you only truly know how “strong” you are on days that you need all your strength.

I have personally utilized this year to dig a little deeper into finding out “who I truly am” and the role I want to play in this life. As part of this journey I have discovered we have a duty to love, respect and take care of others AND ourselves, (we often forget ourselves).

Through my studies, creating our community and managing this pandemic I have come to the realization how important it is to keep our unique bodies in a constant balance to promote and sustain good health. Not only physically, but also emotionally and through our interaction with our environment. We need to remind ourselves that not alone, but collectively all these aspects contribute to our overall health. Managing and navigating this equilibrium between growth & development AND maintenance & repair is key.

One of my Ryerson gerontology courses in 2020 was called “From cells to society”. Back then I didn’t make the connection, besides the fact that it was a catchy phrase. As difficult the past 2 years have been I trust that we have all grown immensely from our experiences and two years later the significance and meaning of “From cells to society” is very clear. Right down to our core, from each little cell expanding to the collective whole of a society, is what we need to maintain this balance and health.

Dream big for the upcoming new year, visualize your life exactly how you want it, and may ALL your dreams come true in 2022!

Isolde