The Wellness Center's Blog

Perseverance and Determination with Natalie – A DWC Member Spotlight

By: Dexter Wellness Center

November 18, 2016, 7:00 am - Categories: 5 Healthy Towns, News

After working out as an extended guest, Natalie Emerick became a Dexter Wellness Center member after graduating from college in the spring of 2016. Her parents have been Wellness Center members for years and Natalie wanted to make a full commitment to her health and wellness goals.

“I used to play a lot sports growing up, but when I stopped playing sports I stopped being physically fit. Then my junior year of college, I decided to make taking care of my body a bigger part of my life.”

What Natalie enjoys most about the Wellness Center is the wide variety of machines to work with and the free space in the rooms on the fitness floor. She enjoys seeing fellow members of the community being active, improving their health, and working to combat or prevent chronic disease. Her current fitness routine begins with some cardio exercises followed by various free weights, shoulder and back exercises for her arms. On leg days she does squats, lunges and abdominal workouts. She also enjoys practicing yoga.

Her fitness journey has not been easy, but Natalie is committed to reaching her fitness goals. Her motivation was to change her lifestyle as well as her body. She initially thought it was going to be hard to work out, but the longer she kept going to the gym the more she begin to enjoy her workouts. To those who are just starting to work out Natalie says, “My advice to others about fitness is to start small, be gentle on yourself and believe that you can succeed. You cannot push yourself too hard too soon; you will get burned out too fast. Health and fitness is all about sustainability, do what is sustainable for yourself. Also, never compare your progress to anyone; everyone’s journey is different.”

Since joining the Wellness Center Natalie says her favorite part of the day is working out. Natalie works at the Ecology Center in Ann Arbor as an environmental educator, teaching elementary students about the importance of recycling and being eco-friendly. She also enjoys being outside, cooking healthy foods, watching college football, volunteering and listening to all types of music.

“Working out takes perseverance and determination to achieve a goal. So I surprised myself with how much determination and patience I have, and have learned that you should never underestimate yourself.”