I cannot remember exactly how old I was but I vividly remember the look on my mother’s face that Christmas Eve when we came home from church to find that Santa had been to our house (In our family, Santa came while we were performing in the church program. That fact always kept me in check -
knowing if I was good there would almost assuredly be presents when we returned home).  As she opened the very LARGE box sitting next to the tree, her smile quickly became a frown when the components of a treadmill spilled out.  That look I remember quite well and no matter how good Dad’s 
intentions were, the man had a lot of work getting out of the dog house for months to come.

Is the gift of fitness (gym memberships, personal training, wellness coaching) a good idea?  It depends completely on the delivery.  For the person buying the gift, the intention to help their significant other, parent or friend improve their health and wellness is noble, indeed.  But, if not delivered in the right 
fashion, the purchaser is thinking only one thing as they try to force a smile: “So you think I’m fat, huh?”  

Way back when, Dad thought he was doing a good thing because he had heard my mother say over and over that she would like a treadmill.  I have to give him props because my wife complains all of the time that I don’t listen to her and while he listened to her, the mistake was not vetting out the purchase with mom who clearly was expecting a diamond necklace.  Not a treadmill for her bedroom.

But with New Year’s Resolutions, doesn’t it make sense to help your loved ones get ahead of the curve by setting up a fitness membership or buying sessions with a trainer?  The answer is yes so long as you have discussed it with them first.   I have been the trainer who gets to work with the unhappy client who was “gifted” personal training for Christmas; a “surprise” gift that they did not expect, want or appreciate.  100% of the time, the person receiving the surprise fitness gift did not change their lifestyle, eating or exercise habits.

I know you may want your gift of fitness to be a surprise but if you want it to be well-received and effective, have a simple conversation before plunking down your credit card.  Even with people who have been resistant to making changes in their exercise or nutrition, a conversation that shows that 
person you really care about them may be the deciding factor between colossal bust or best gift ever!

Have a conversation, show your loved one how much you care and help them develop a strong support system.  Then and only then should you plunk down your credit card!

There are a lot of fitness and wellness philosophies out there.  We feel like it’s time to give you more insight into the beliefs of Integrated Wellness Concepts and how we work to advance wellness into the lives of our clients, followers and friends!

Let’s start with what we aren’t.  IWC is not and will never be confused with anything “trendy.”  If we develop a workout, eating plan or wellness strategy for you, it will be developed using strategies, techniques and science that has been proven over time to create results safely and effectively.  It seems 
there are new fitness concepts, classes or diets being talked about on a weekly basis.  The problem with being an early adopter of these concepts is that we don’t know if:

A. The really concept works

B. What the outcomes will be over time (positive or negative)

This is why we stick to the classics that include training movements (not body parts), promoting nutritional strategies that work (small meals/snacks, 85% rule, organic foods, etc.) and behavior modification techniques that promote lifestyle change vs. quick fixes.

Second, we develop our programs to include more than just the physical element of wellness.  To balance out your wellness we should strive to find balance in the 8 key areas of wellness:

This doesn’t mean we overstep our professional bounds.  We are not counselors, psychologists, financial planners or clergy.  We are able to discuss these elements, make referrals to qualified professionals and 
help generate awareness.  Think of your wellness like a tire.  When properly inflated, it rolls quite nicely but if under or overinflated, it doesn’t roll well at all.  When our total wellness is out of balance, we don’t roll well and it’s funny how improving an area outside the physical element such as a relationship or one’s finances will reduce stress and allow that person to achieve weight loss goals.  It all ties together and in our sessions we help our clients piece it all together.  It also creates a well-rounded experience for our clients.

Finally, we recognize that not everyone is driving the same speed when it comes to making improvements in their wellness.  Our job is to help our clients and followers progress their wellness at a pace that is productive and will allow them to integrate these concepts into their life for life.  Think of 
your wellness like the gas gauge in your car.  At this moment, how full is your tank?  Our job at IWC is not to fill your wellness tank from empty to full overnight.  This would be wonderful but that is not reality.  We all have jobs, kids, stresses, struggles and barriers to overcome.  No, our job at IWC is to help you move your wellness needle a little closer to “full” than it was the day before.  To provide strategies and concepts that you can implement on your terms and at your pace.

 We care very deeply about our clients’ successes, but remember, success can be measured in many ways.  If we can take a person who does not exercise at all and get them walking 5 days a week, we have moved that person’s wellness needle in the right direction.  If we take a person who eats no fruits or vegetables and get them consuming 1-2 servings per day, we have made progress.  Good health, fitness, wellness and yes, looking good in a swimsuit aren’t about an overnight quick fix.  It’s about the journey.  Friends, we are here solely to help you on your journey.  If we can be of assistance do not hesitate to contact us!