For 15 years, Meghan Harder has called Winding Hills home, and she wouldn’t have it any other way. “Walking through the wooded trail and down to the parks is such a gift,” she says. “I feel so lucky to have a place where I can enjoy nature so close to home, and where my kids can walk or ride their bikes to the park.” 

As a personal trainer and group fitness instructor, Meghan brings the same enthusiasm she has for her neighborhood to her work in fitness. “I’ve always loved sports and fitness, and my journey started when my kids began preschool,” she explains. “I took classes at the YMCA, and a friend encouraged me to step out of my comfort zone and try a group fitness class. I was hooked after just one class!” 

Her passion for fitness quickly evolved into teaching and eventually personal training, where she now helps others feel strong, empowered, and ready to reach their wellness goals. 

February is American Heart Month, so we asked Meghan to offer her best advice for incorporating exercise into our increasingly busy lives. 

Many people feel intimidated by the gym and/or group classes. Starting your wellness journey at home can help build confidence as well as strength and endurance. There are countless activities and exercises that can be done at home with no equipment. Of course we can utilize our beautiful nature trails. Even when the weather is less than ideal, I say, get outside! A brisk 20-minute walk is always a great option for cardiovascular health. 

In addition, anyone can learn to do simple exercises using only body weight. Some of these include planks, push-ups, squats and lunges, with many modifications for beginners or those with injuries. 

Walking is truly an underrated exercise. It has so many benefits for our physical bodies as well as our mental health. The purpose of the walk also matters. If our intention is to take a mental break and get some fresh air, it might be more of a Stroll or leisurely pace. If our intention is cardio, it should be a faster walk that challenges our muscles and lungs. if it is just impossible to get outside, we can walk laps around our kitchen, basement, hallway or take the stairs several times. Something is better than nothing! 

Cost and time. You should not feel like you will be locked in forever if you seek out a personal trainer. My personal philosophy is that my clients should be the ones to decide how often and how long they would like to meet with me. Some people will want the accountability of a weekly meeting forever, while others may want to learn how to take over for themselves once they’ve established a good base. Setting a monthly budget for how much you are willing and able to invest in yourself can also be helpful. 

If you are new to exercise and/ or need nutritional advice, seeking out a professional can be very beneficial. A personal trainer would be able to guide you in how to best get started, help you prioritize wellness and teach you proper form and mechanics to help you stay free of injury. 

I would encourage people to take a look at their daily lives and habits and create a goal. The goal should be personal and feel attainable. 

It may be to get more steps per day, (each of us should have a minimum of 10,000). This can be challenging, especially during winter months and for those who may have a desk job. You may need to schedule breaks for yourself to get up and move around. 

Another goal could be focused on your nutritional intake. It could be adding more water to your daily routine or adding in heart healthy foods. Our daily choices in our diet will have a huge impact on our heart health. 

If you are looking for support and are not sure how to get started, I can help. When I meet with new clients, I always start with an intake conversation. This allows me to help each person find direction. We discuss currents habits, lifestyle and needs/wants. Then together we will create attainable goals. 

I can be reached at meghanharder@yahoo.com or through Facebook messenger. You can find me on our neighborhood Facebook page. I am taking new clients at this time.