the path of the new year 2018 and reflections on the year behind us 2017.

It’s that time of year for reflecting, cleaning, and planning! We all love it, right? Or maybe not? For the past few days we have been cleaning up from the holidays, taking down decorations, vacuuming up pine needles (and my tree isn’t even real), doing laundry from traveling up north to IL, putting away stuff and getting our minds wrapped around 2018.

Each year my husband I write out goals for everything. We write out goals for ourselves, spending time with each other, family, business, and life in general. When we do that we are creating a roadmap for our future and a template for success. Each year we reassess those goals our each July to see how we are doing. 

I have to say when I sat down to look at what I wrote last year, and where that roadmap took me this year, I am really pleased when it comes to the work I have done in the little world of hooping, fitness, and health that I live in. 

My classes at the Venetian River Club are going strong and I was brought back on as contract instructor in September of this year, after my summer hiatus, to continue Hoola Fit Hoop Fitness Classes. Going into 2017, my work as a contractor had been cancelled, but I worked hard to keep them going independently. I am currently running two classes: one inside on Wednesday afternoons from 1 PM to 2PM, and the other on Friday mornings poolside from 9 AM to 10AM. 
Can I say that I am just so blessed to hoop with this community of people that I live in. Thank you, Venetian Peeps, for filling my life with so much joy. 

This summer I took hooping on the road and with the help of some family and friends I taught Hoola Fit classes in Indiana, Illinois and Iowa as I worked my way to speak at the Wahls Protocol Seminar this past August. What an honor it was to work with Dr. Terry Wahls and her awesome staff of people in Iowa. 

Speaking of hooping… that is exactly what I did at the Wahls Protocol Seminar. I talked about hula hoops and the benefits of core strengthening by hooping. I shared my MS story and hooped with so many people there. Every day I was there, I was filled with joy because I saw people smile and move. Many of those people came up to me and started by saying something like, I did this as a kid, but I don’t think I can do this now OR I could never do this as a kid. The faces of joy, of successfully moving a hoop around their waist was awesome to see. I only wish that I could make the hoop more magical for other people who need to gain back what MS has taken away. Autoimmune diseases can be cruel and unkind. I hoop, and hope to never feel the depths of destruction that MS can have. Sorry peeps, that was a few lines of reality on the joy of my hooping. If I did not have my hula hoop or healthy foods or the hope that I do have, I might be scared constantly about what tomorrow might bring. 

Hoop Connections - My new Mini-Series Classes. I have one Mini-Series under my belt and I am excited about the next one I am putting together. These classes are about finding flow, having fun and enjoying “recess time” as an adult. Who didn’t have fun at recess? Come on, it was the best part of the day after lunch time with friends. My hope is to create a happy hooping time to meet people’s hooping desires; to move past the exercise aspect and jump into some good old fashion fun - recess style. 

And finally, TRX Suspension Training. If you don’t know what it is, Google it and you well get the run down faster then I can tell you. I was trained last spring and through the urging of a couple of the Venetian Health Club people I started classes this fall. Charlie, my boss, was really instrumental in making this class happen. I did TRX years ago and frankly I was not very good at it back then, but I liked it. Rich and I are committed to working more TRX into our fitness plans at home as well. It’s good for both of us. Here is why I like it. If you can hang on to two straps, you can use your body weight to challenge your muscles. While doing this, now that you’ve Googled it, you know that you need to keep your posture in a plank position. By keeping your posture in a plank position, you continue to work those abs while working other muscles. Bingo - super awesome stuff. Regarding abs, one of my goals is FINDING THEM again and SEEING THEM again. Yes people at 54 and I really think I can find my abs. That’s just a hoot, right?
I love that this class is a good mix of men and women and that the Venetian is supporting it. I am having a blast growing my training skills, working with people, and as always, MOVING. You have to move your body people.  Move it or lose it!

And finally - Stories from the Hoop Circle continued all year on my YouTube Channel. I find great personal joy in finding out people’s stories of health and fitness. Talking to everyday people who journeyed beyond the health system in their quest to find health and feel better. I am thrilled to hear the stories of people finding fitness and a better self because of it. I do think that as I move to the older side of life, with my beautiful gray hair, I feel like people don’t think they can be FIT at an older age. I also see food as being a huge challenge for people. I get that and I understand that feeling. Being fit and choosing health food options is not easy when you have long term choices that are not best for your body. It can be really tough and even scary -  I know, I’ve been there. My hope is that someone will see one of my interviews and be inspired by my guests - because the people I meet are truly inspirational. Thanks, peeps, for sharing your stories. 

YouTube Channel - Restorative Hooping with Crazy Amy continues with hooping tips and more.  Some of my wonderful hooping peeps don’t like that I call myself Crazy Amy. I always say: “Crazy in a good way!” But I am slowly I am switching it to ‘Awesome Amy the Hoop Lady’.  Thanks, ladies, I am all about being positive whenever possible. 

Links to my YouTube Channel can be found on this Awesome Links Tab of www.AmysHoopCircle.com

It’s New Year’s Day and I am ready to kick 2018 into gear! How about you?