Hanging In The Balance

HANGING IN THE BALANCE

By Kim Hiniker

Everyone needs balance in life. Easier said than done right? Whether you’re working full-time, going to school, are a parent, or maybe all three at one time, life can be hard and unpredictable. Life hands you so many lemons; sometimes you don’t know what to do with them all. I’ve made lemonade, and I’ve made my friends lemonade. It was time to find a new way to make lemonade and handle life’s stressors.

My “why” when I started the 10-week kickboxing challenge at Farrell’s Extreme Bodyshaping in Mankato was to “love myself more than I already do.” I completed my challenge from January to March and my why became reality.

All it took me was ten solid weeks and 45 minutes, 6 six days a week. In 10 weeks, I went from 40 push-ups to 76 push-ups in a minute. Mind you, these were girl push-ups from my knees and not my toes (although, I’m capable). I’ve lost inches and grown to truly love myself.

It’s very important to love yourself regardless! When you are working on yourself, remember that society paints a tainted image of what our bodies are supposed to look like. Give yourself grace and kindness.

Farrell’s is no ordinary gym. Farrell’s is a community. All classes are instructor-led and strangers become friends who cheer you on. It’s a surreal experience. One, I’ve grown to love.

Find that balance. You deserve to treat yourself right at the end of the day. Why not do it the healthy way? Go to the gym. Go on that run, hike, bicycle ride or come throw some jab crosses on the kickboxing bag with me!

We take such great care of our patients and our families that sometimes we forget about ourselves. We need to make sure that we’re fueling our bodies with good nutrition, water, and positive thoughts daily to be inspiring for the ones next to us or for those who may need that extra motivation.

On my fitness journey, I’ve learned that physical activity is not only good for our physical health, but our mental health as well. Together we’re strong, together we’re capable, together we can maintain balance in our lives and … Together We Thrive.

Kim Hiniker, mom to a 12-year-old son, is a medical assistant in the Mankato Clinic Dermatology department. She is happy to be part of two communities where she can THRIVE – Mankato Clinic and Farrell’s Mankato, a kickboxing gym.

KAYLA DAHL

LEVEL 3 FITNESS INSTRUCTOR AT FARRELL’S EXTREME BODY SHAPING

What makes Farrell’s different? Farrell’s is different because of the community and camaraderie. We are different because of the consistent phases of new 10 weekers, previous 10 weekers changing to FIT students, then potentially becoming coaches and instructors. All of our instructors have been through the program, so we all understand the highs and lows of the fitness journey and we are here to hype you up along the way.

What does working out do for mental health?Structured workouts led by instructors take away the stress of not knowing what to do in traditional gyms. That 45 minutes become bliss and the best anti-stressor because you don’t have to know what do to. We will guide you. And at the end of the day, we want you to enjoy the workout.

What has kickboxing done for you?Kickboxing and Farrell’s has created that “third place” for me – a home away from home. The people here motivate me and pick me up when I’m going through hard times. I’ve been able to be vulnerable which doesn’t come to me naturally. It’s opened up my heart to the good in others again.

What advice do you have for those who may be starting a fitness journey?Just show up. It doesn’t matter how far you fell; show up and let us guide you. You do not have to do this alone.