Forget Resolutions
Reach goals one step at a time This might be the first year I didn’t make a New Year’s resolution. I have plenty of things I need to improve on, trust me, but I think I’ve finally realized the changing of the calendar isn’t enough motivation to keep me on the right path for 365 days (actually 366 this year). To truly improve and cut back on bad habits, you have to really want to change and set short-term goals that will allow you to reach your long-term goals. That’s something I learned from Annie and Taylor May, the owners of Fit People in Hoover. The couple, featured on page 16, opened the fitness facility to change the lives of people in the community. They know there are no quick fixes, so they approach health and fitness differently, even down to the look of the facility. Fit People provides a welcoming, family-friendly vibe when people walk through the door, and that’s important to Annie and Taylor. They have two small children who are there often, and their parents also work out there.
February 2016 Issue Copyright 2016 Shelby County Newspapers, Inc. Questions or comments? Call 669-3131 or email info@hooversmagazine.com
To keep their clients on track, the couple holds them accountable and creates a unique workout plan to match their fitness levels. Everyone exercises in classes, which provides even more motivation. Even if your resolution doesn’t involve fitness, you can still use Fit People’s techniques to stay on track. Someone else who hasn’t lost sight of his goal is Jason Cooper, owner of Sweetspire Gardens in Bluff Park. After working in horticulture and landscaping for nearly 20 years, he followed his passion for gardening and dream of owning a garden center to open Sweetspire. The shop has a variety of plants, hand tools, pottery and gardening materials. Cooper will even have fresh flowers and arrangements for Valentine’s Day. You can read about Sweetspire on page 22. Both of these local businesses show
you can achieve your goals and dreams with dedication and persistence.n
Lauren Dowdle lauren.dowdle@hooversmagazine.com Twitter: @HooversMag Facebook.com/HooversMagazine Instagram: HooversMag
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Cover Photo by David McElroy Hoover’s Magazine is published monthly by Shelby County Newspapers Inc., P.O. Box 947, Columbiana, AL 35051. Hoover’s Magazine is a registered trademark. All contents herein are the sole property of Shelby County Newspapers Inc. [the Publisher]. No part of this periodical may be reproduced without written permission from the Publisher. Please address all correspondence (including but not limited to letters, story ideas and requests to reprint materials) to: Editor, Hoover’s Magazine, P.O. Box 947, Columbiana, AL 35051. Hoover’s Magazine is mailed to select households throughout Hoover, and a limited number of free copies are available at local businesses. Please visit Hooversmagazine.com for a list of those locations. Subscriptions are available at a rate of $20.41 for one year by emailing subscribe@hooversmagazine.com, or calling (205) 669-3131. Advertising inquiries may be made by emailing advertise@hooversmagazine.com, or by calling (205) 669-3131.
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• Hoover’s Magazine | February 2016