Get fit at Women's Wednesday Night Workout

It’s tough to maintain a regular exercise regiment, but a local group of gutsy ladies have made up their minds to follow through with a weekly fitness routine.

At the Women’s Wednesday Night Workout at the Family Worship Center, the faction of focused female fitness enthusiasts motivate each other – no matter what.

Chesterfield resident and Family Worship Center member Cathy Mitchell organized the mid-week workout. Since October, the group has been meeting in the church’s sanctuary.

In fact, Mitchell didn’t spend much time planning the fitness event. She presented the idea to Nathan Boehm, the pastor at Family Worship Center, and galvanized the gathering within three days.

“I thought of it on a Sunday and asked Pastor Boehm’s wife Dawn when the church was available,” Mitchell said. “Then, we started the next Wednesday.”

By day, Mitchell works as a billing specialist, but, on Wednesday evenings, she also leads the group’s workouts. And Mitchell has struggled with fibromyalgia, a disease that affects the body’s tender points, for more than a decade, which is why she understands how important habitual exercise is.

“Most people feel better when they’re up and moving, but I also have fibromyalgia, so sitting makes me hurt a lot,” Mitchell said. “And I’ve had it for 16 years, so I’ve had to force myself to work out on a regular basis.”

“With fibromyalgia, you don’t feel like doing anything, but, the less you do, the more you hurt. So, when I work out, it warms my muscles and it helps me physically, mentally and spiritually.”

Mitchell said she hopes that her group will attract women who might not otherwise exercise at gyms that welcome both genders. At the same time, she thinks that it will give new participants a chance to focus on their needs instead of their families’ desires for a change.

“Some women aren’t comfortable working out in front of men or other women who are extremely fit,” Mitchell said. “And women can also be very critical of each other’s body types at times.”

“But, as women, we need to make time to do regular exercise, and a lot of us don’t. They get distracted by other things in their lives, especially if they’re married or have children or have parents that depend on them or have a second job, so they put themselves last.”

At this writing, the meetup boasts about five regular members, but Mitchell is confident that her group will grow as the word spreads. And, although her group’s weekly workout is informal, Mitchell suggests that attendees bring a few items along with them.

“Most of us bring a water bottle and a towel,” Mitchell said. “And wear whatever you’re comfortable in because we have ladies in sweats, shorts, jeans, tank tops and long sleeves.”

So, is it really necessary to make a New Year’s resolution in order to adopt a normal fitness routine? Mitchell doesn’t seem to think so.

“Personally, I don’t make resolutions,” Mitchell said. “It’s just not something that I’ve ever done.”

“But if there’s something that you need to set your mind to do in order to do it, then go with it. And whether it’s Jan. 1 or July 1, do it when you’re ready, regardless of the date.” The Women’s Wednesday Night Workout will meet from 7 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 11, at Family Worship Center in Chesterfield.

For more information, call 512-3798.