August is National Wellness Month, making it a great time to pause and consider self-care. When we take care of ourselves, we are helping others, too. A society filled with mentally and physically healthier citizens is a win for everyone. The good news is that improving wellness doesn't have to be complicated or time-consuming. There are small things people can do that will provide them with significant returns.
"People often get overwhelmed when they think about getting healthy and improving wellness," said Jennifer Scherer, a registered dietitian nutritionist, medical exercise specialist, certified personal trainer, and owner of Fredericksburg Fitness Studio. "They think their entire life has to change to make that happen, but it doesn’t. It can be small, incremental changes that add up over time to create great results.”
According to the Global Wellness Institute, wellness includes tenets that are preventative and holistic, and today they include such aspects as self-care, self-help, nutrition, healthy-living, and spiritual practices. In other words, it is bringing together different elements to care for one's mind, body, and soul, so that people can improve and live a life where they are in good physical and mental health.
Here are some simple things that people can do to help improve their wellness:
Make self-care a priority. Practicing self-care is not selfish, as some may believe. To be the best version of oneself, self-care has to be a priority. It's the steps taken to help ensure that one's mind and body are being cared for. Make it a point to include self-care in your daily and weekly routine. Focus on getting enough physical activity, sleep, and learning how to manage stress healthily.
Start small and expand. Rather than feeling overwhelmed with numerous changes at once, pick one healthy habit to start with. Get used to that one and then add on one more. Over time, these incremental changes will add up to significant results, and people will feel more likely to stick with them.
Get professional help where needed. Not everything and everyone can be successful making changes and reaching goals on their own, and that’s okay. Some coaches and professionals have the training and education to help people get to the next level. Work with people to help move goals along and get unstuck.
Keep starting. Oftentimes, people start a healthy movement and it fizzles out, or they feel they have blown it over one night of not following their plan. Don't let that be the end of the healthy habits. Keep starting over with them, no matter how many times it takes.
Look for the good. Focusing on gratitude, all the things in life to be grateful for, will help people feel better mentally. It’s about training the mind to look for the good, rather than always spotting and focusing on the negative. This can be done by being intentional, gratitude journaling, meditation, etc.
“We have helped many people on their wellness journey and love every minute of it," added Scherer. "The first step to improving wellness is to decide that it matters to you. Once you do that, then you can move forward with making it happen."
At Fredericksburg Fitness Studio, they are redefining what it means to prioritize health by debuting a new class that focuses on providing participants with a powerful reminder of how movement, education, and community can transform their life. Their new approach to wellness is introducing Apparatix, a new master-led Pilates circuit class launching Saturday, August 9 at 9:30 a.m. Designed around their proprietary 541 Method (5 apparatus, 4 powerful movements, 1 transformative hour), the class blends intentional movement, scientific programming, and small-group energy for a breakthrough fitness experience. Plus, it’s taught by nationally recognized Balanced Body Master Instructors Jennifer Scherer and Jeff Smith, the Apparatix circuit includes Reformer, Chair, Tower, Core Align, Arc and Mat. The class is designed to provide a VIP-level experience and only has six exclusive spots per session.
“We created Apparatix to help people move better, feel stronger, and reconnect with their bodies in a meaningful way,” says Scherer, co-founder of FFS. “It’s not about trends. It’s about intelligent movement, intentional programming, and real results.”
Khalik Mack was able to use the wellness formula at Fredericksburg Fitness Studio to reverse his uncontrolled type 2 diabetes earlier this year. He was feeling overwhelmed by conflicting advice. Within 90 days of personalized training, targeted nutrition guidance, and holistic education, Mack experienced measurable improvements in his health, including better blood work and a renewed sense of energy and control.
“The moment that changed everything for me was reviewing my blood work after just three months,” said Mack. "Jennifer looked at the results, celebrated with me, and genuinely told me she was proud. That day, I knew—this place is different. They educate, empower, and encourage. And it works."
Fredericksburg Fitness Studio has helped many people through their semi-private sessions that focus on Pilates and strength training. They are a boutique studio that focuses on quality, providing a more personalized instruction approach, social support, and luxury amenities. Fredericksburg Fitness Studio offers two locations, and its reformer Pilates fitness training program is a fun and unique exercise method with many benefits. The reformer can be used while sitting, standing, or lying down, providing a great workout. The program helps with strength, flexibility, balance, coordination, core control, and other key areas. To learn more about Fredericksburg Fitness Studio, visit the site: https://www.fburgfitness.com.
