member MOMENTS BY bart frantz
Wellness means different things to different people: for one, connecting with people was the missing ingredient. for another, a marathon was the impetus to get in shape.
Cecile Meneghelli Pays it Forward “Pay it forward” is the idiom used by PJCC member Cecile Meneghelli to phrase her membership at the PJCC. However, her outlook wasn’t always so benevolent. Cecile recalls her early days as a new member: walking directly to the back of each group exercise class and hiding out of embarrassment. Thankfully, she didn’t let her shyness deter her; she kept coming back. After taking a variety of classes and sparking wonderful relationships with
New World Opens with Exercise Ask Mike Loo why he comes to the PJCC and he’ll cite the supportive environment that makes exercising fun and enjoyable— surprising words from a man who once claimed to be too busy to exercise. But when Mike set his sights on the Disneyland Half Marathon, he realized he first needed to get in condition. And so he signed up with a personal trainer. Twelve months later, exercise is just one slice of the pie that Mike now credits to his improved overall wellness. Equally important was a change in diet, which included acquiring a basic knowledge of nutrition. By implementing his newfound
16
Winter 2014
Connections
knowledge, Mike not only lost 30 pounds, but also found that his healthier eating fueled workouts that were longer and of higher intensity. As a result, the man who was once “too busy to exercise” now finds himself in the best shape of his life. Better yet, he’s discovering a whole new world that entwines fitness with fun. “Now that I am in better physical condition, doing outdoor activities such as road biking and running have become entertaining activities,” Mike says. “I don’t just perceive them as exercise, but as social activities that I’m now capable of participating in and enjoying.”
others, Cecile has blossomed with confidence. Now, she “shakes her hips” in the front row of each Zumba® class she attends. And, most importantly, through her own experiences as the “new kid on the block,” she welcomes fresh faces in class and warmly introduces them to the PJCC family. While she has made tremendous progress with her own physical health, in her opinion the most important gift is enhancing the feeling of community and inspiring others to do the same.