Wellness for Life

BY SUE READY

The Brainerd lakes area is an oasis of opportunities to get out and about in the community no matter the season. A commitment to some type of exercise plan will improve your health and ultimately rejuvenate you having made healthier choices.

The Brainerd Family Y offers a plethora of classes covering a wide range for everyone regardless of fitness level. Shane Riffle, Chief Executive Officer, notes that “We believe that by creating a place where people can connect with each other, our staff and our mission, they will find the support and be guided along small steps which can effectively lead to well-being.”

The YMCA offers classes on strength, cardio, balance, water and a wide variety of others which will help you regain a healthy lifestyle. A customized fitness program is available with personalized trainers available to help you develop your vision and goals. Your ticket to staying healthy for those 65 and older is the Silver Sneakers program. It may be a good fit for you and it’s available at no cost through your Medicare plan. YMCA sponsors youth camps and sports programs in partnership with the City of Brainerd. In August they are sponsoring a YMCA Kids Triathlon. Contact them for more information. They are in the process of developing a Halloween and Christmas Family Run. YMCA makes membership affordable for all age groups. Check their website for additional information regarding classes and upcoming events.

Anytime Fitness has three locations, NE Brainerd, Baxter and Nisswa, with 24 hour access. Staff member Mark Fussy feels those looking for exercise opportunities “need to approach with a mindset that looks at consistency and longevity with a commitment to changing one’s lifestyle. It’s important to look at the big picture.”

Anytime Fitness will help you tackle anything that stands in the way of a healthier you, together. Their coaches are experienced in helping you get back on track after detours. They will help you build a customized plan that works for you to keep you feeling motivated, strong and confident. They offer a free day pass to explore their facilities which include gym amenities, cardio, strength, free weights, functional training and coaching services.

Looking for an athletic endurance contest in multiple events? Mark your calendar for Sunday, Aug. 25, at Whipple Beach in Baxter for the Lakes Country Triathlon. Ruth Nelson (Baxter Kiwanis), one of the organizers, said, “The Lake Country Triathlon is a fun race, be it your first or 50th! If you are new to triathlons, this is a great way to get started and get in shape.” It begins at 8 a.m. with a 1/4 mile swim in Whipple Lake, then switches to a 14-mile bike hike and ends with a 3.2-mile run. The triathlon is open for all ages with awards for different age groups. The YMCA manages the Kids’ Triathlon with a course and distance geared toward kid participation. It will be the day before. Check out lakescountrytriathlon.com for more details and to sign-up.

Brainerd Jaycees Run for The Lakes is a charitable run in downtown Nisswa May 3-4. There is a race for everyone, novice or expert, including a Zer0K, Virtual run, 1K kids’ run, 5K run, 10K run, relay, half marathon, and a full marathon.

Logan Stall, race director, said, “Our course is certified and our marathon is a qualifier for the Boston Marathon. Our goal is to promote a healthy lifestyle while raising money to support local charities. We believe that exercise and being active is a key part of a healthy lifestyle, and our event provides an opportunity to get active by training to compete in a variety of races while being able to donate back to the local community. Getting and staying motivated can be one of the hardest things to do with living a healthy lifestyle. One way to achieve this is through setting goals, which, in turn, helps create motivation to reach those goals. By hosting a charitable run, we are providing our racers with a reason, a goal, to reach. It promotes being active with the added benefit of giving back to the community. Our 2024 event will be held on May 3-4. Anyone who wishes to participate in the run can sign up on our website at runforthelakes.com.”

Enjoy exploring the great outdoors with cross country skiing. Groomed trails can be accessed at Northland Arboretum, Wolf Lake Trail, Larson Lake Trail, French Rapids Trail and Nordic Ridge Trail. For more information on groomed trails, see www. crowwing.gov/740/Cross-Country-Ski-Trails

Pilates is a great workout for any age or fitness level from beginner to advanced. It is a non-impact workout that strengthens all of your muscle groups and focuses on your core. Pilates is also a great way to rehab after any type of joint surgery, sports injury, childbirth, arthritis, osteoporosis and chronic pain with doctor or therapist approval. Jody Davis, owner of Great North Pilates in Baxter Village, is an experienced instructor who brings to the Brainerd lakes area the first ever Boutique Pilates Studio located in the same facility as Great North Pilates. Her beginner special is a great way to start your Pilates journey.

As yoga has grown in popularity, so have the number of places to find yoga classes in Crow Wing County. Lakes Area Yoga (LAY) at the Franklin Arts Center location in Brainerd offers weekly group all levels yoga classes and Private Mindfulness and Yoga which offers private sessions for families, kids, or adolescents. LAY offers a unique class called Oncology Yoga Class. It is tailored for cancer patients, cancer survivors and caregivers. Workshops and special events are posted on the website.

Crow Wing Energized is a partnership between Essentia Health and Crow Wing County. They receive money from the Statewide Health Improvement Partnership to support their work. They offer many evidence-based classes that promote health and well-being. Classes are free. “Their goal is to make the healthy choice, the easy choice for Crow Wing residents,” noted Karen Johnson, staff member and contact person. For those interested, sign up to get the newsletter online. Look for their Midweek Motivator in the Brainerd Dispatch. These popular weekly articles focus on active living and well-being.

To maintain a healthy lifestyle with some type of exercise one needs to look closely at diet. Crow Wing Food Co-op (CWFC) founded in 1979 is a cooperatively owned grocery store dedicated to sustaining a healthy and thriving community by providing everyday access to locally grown, allergen-friendly, organic, fair trade and sustainably produced foods and products their members and community depends on.

At the Co-op you will find Just Juice products as well as at Schaefer’s Market in Nisswa. Just Juice owner Jami Nelson does not have a storefront but is a mobile enterprise. She’s all about creating the healthiest beverage experience in the Brainerd lakes area. Since 2017, Jami’s company has offered customers creative packaging of consumable fruits and vegetables in beverage form. Jami said, “It is important to take our health into our own hands and it can be easier than we thought. I want people to have options of products that are healthy, delicious, convenient and consistently unique. I help busy people reach health and life goals.”

Her products are for those who are seeking to add healthier options to their lifestyle. She creates her own recipes and offers products made fresh at the Co-op which include superfood salads, wellness shots, a variety of organic juices, smoothies and cleansing packages. There is an online program to help you make your own juices at home. Friday deliveries are available. Taking creativity to a whole new level Jami also offers wedding reception and wedding morning day juice experiences.

Recently Takedown Gym presented the first of its kind Health and Wellness Expo at the Northern Pacific Center in Brainerd in January. Hosting an event of this magnitude speaks volumes to their commitment to bringing health and wellness education and opportunities to the Brainerd lakes area residents. Many local businesses and organizations participated.

Starting a healthy lifestyle can involve eating nutritious foods, engaging in regular physical activity and prioritizing your mental health. Not only will you feel better but you can also reduce the risk of some diseases, lengthen your lifespan and even save yourself money.