When I left Alaska in 1987 for a new start on life, I looked into the
possibilities of a fitness career. I got my initial training at the
Medford YMCA in Oregon, and soon became weekend and night manager
along with teaching a myriad of fitness classes. I worked and learned
from the best instructors in the state. My life was going in a
wonderful new direction. I was happy and enjoyed each day, every class
and the responsibility that went with it.
In 1991, my
job was unexpectedly cut due to funding. Just a few weeks later,
however, I was astounded to find myself interviewing with the manager
at a high-end athletic club. Even more shocking was when he asked me
when I could start.
I started the
next day. Although I was hired to lead a few group exercise classes, I
was soon working the front counter and opening the club at 5:00 a.m.
each morning. Three months later, I was given the title of Senior
Fitness Director. Things were moving quickly! Because the club was
adding on a swimming pool, my boss asked if I’d like to start a
Water Aerobics Program. I said, sure—why not? Why
not? I’m scared to death of water! But even that didn’t stop
me. I devised a water aerobics schedule and invented water aerobics
ala Bonnie. Soon I was known all over the Rogue Valley as the Water
Aerobics guru. I was having a great time!
One day I
received a flyer about a walk-a-marathon in Alaska sponsored by an
organization supporting leukemia and lymphoma research. Something
sparked inside of me and I thought to myself: I
can do that! I think I’ll go for it. It’s for a wonderful cause,
too.
So, on top of
the 22 fitness classes a week that I was teaching, I started a walking
program. I was doing fine until my knee decided that I was going above
and beyond what my body could handle. Thus, for the last month, I was
not able to train except in the water. I even had to have a shot of
cortisone. Still, the marathon was so important to me that I never
stopped training.
As soon as I
got off the plane in Anchorage, a deeper feeling came over me: I’m home! After the marathon, I spent 10 days in Anchorage and the
MatSu Valley with my son and daughter-in-law. I told them about my
feeling and they were excited because they wanted me to come and live
in Alaska again. It felt so good to be back in the Great Land! As I
checked out job opportunities, things looked very promising. Although
I loved my job, boss, and fellow workers in Medford, I knew that if I
stayed in Oregon I could only progress so far.
To me, Alaska shined as the land of opportunity!
Back in
Medford, I gave my notice at my job, and sold my house and belongings.
My 76-year-old aunt who lived in Oregon jumped at the chance to drive
to Alaska with me. So, we loaded up my Subaru Legacy and headed north.
We made it in seven days in spite of not having a map and facing
construction all the way through the Yukon Territory.
Although
employment prospects had looked great when I left Anchorage, once I
actually arrived there was nothing available for me. With a sinking
feeling, I thought to myself: What
have you done? I had given up security, comfort, and safety for
what? The unknown. Oh, my gosh!
For an entire
month I watched Matlock reruns, washed my car on a daily basis, and
felt the heavy weight of depression setting in.
What was I
thinking? I was almost 50 years old with no money and no job. And I’m living with my son! I was miserable. I read every want ad
and applied for positions that I knew nothing about. Still, no
prospects.
One day, I
made up my mind that I was going to get a job no matter what it was. I
applied for an apartment manager’s job and was hired on the spot.
That suddenly solved two problems: a place to live and a job.
But still I
was not happy. What’s wrong
with me? Well, duh—I went from teaching 22 fitness classes
weekly, with my endorphins always giving me a happy fix, to sitting on
my behind for hours and days at a time. My body was going through
withdrawals!
After
realizing what was wrong, I signed up at a health club to work out. I
remember the first day when I stepped on that treadmill: the happy
feeling came back almost immediately. Yes, Bonnie was back! I worked
as apartment manager for six months, until a fitness job opened up at
the Alaska Women’s Club and I accepted the position of Fitness
Manager. Now I felt as if I had really come home!
Even today, I
am always telling my clients how great it is to exercise—how
wonderful you feel afterward, and how rewarding it is. Exercise is a
major part of my life and I know that I am addicted. Although I have
preached about endorphins for my whole fitness career, back then I
somehow missed it with my own body and my own situation. Amazing how
we sometimes can’t take our own good advice.
Endorphin is
the body’s morphine— in fact, it’s a substance in the brain that
attaches to the very same cell receptors that morphine does. Because
endorphins are natural painkillers, they are released in the body when
severe injury occurs, often abolishing all sensation of pain.
Do
you remember the part of my story when I admitted to being depressed?
Do you understand now how exercise can bring you right out of your
depression? It’s so very true! So now you have no excuse. If you
have major obstacles or depression going on in your life—don’t
neglect your exercise. You’ll find that you can cope with so much
more when you simply add movement into your daily routine. Remember:
consistent, regular exercise produces feel-good substances called
endorphins. This is the reason that you see people returning day in
and day out to their workouts. Try it; you’ll be amazed!
Bonnie
Murphy is the owner/trainer of BFIT and Well a Personalized Fitness
Training Studio at 203 W. 15th Avenue Suite 103, Anchorage,
Alaska 99501 Call today 907-229-7652 Email: bonnie@bfitandwell.com
Website: www.bfitandwell.com
