Family/Parenting/Kids Archives | Experience Life

The Blue Zones Habits for Happiness: Insights for Living a Longer, Happier Life

Molly Kopischke — Tue, 07 Oct 2025 10:00:48 +0000

The post The Blue Zones Habits for Happiness: Insights for Living a Longer, Happier Life appeared first on Experience Life.

9 Ways to Keep Kids Busy After School at Life Time

Tina Nguyen — Tue, 16 Sep 2025 13:00:44 +0000

As summer transitions to fall and school is back in full swing, families are adjusting to the familiar rhythm of kids being in the classroom. But once the school buses roll around for drop-off, what’s next?

Being intentional about how your children spend their post-school hours can have a significant effect on their development and well-being. At Life Time, there are options for kids to keep learning, engage in healthy behaviors, and have fun. Plus, as a parent, it gives you time to spend at the club prioritizing your own well-being.

“When your kids are at Life Time, they’re being taken care of,” says Glory Casillas, kids leader at Life Time in Centennial, Colo., who has worked on the Life Time Kids team for the past eight years (and has been bringing her two daughters to Life Time for nearly 11 years). Her youngest is now 10 years old and “she’s done it all,” according to Casillas, starting from the infant room to structured play in the Kids Academy. “For my family, Life Time is more than just a club, it’s a second home.

“My family has a routine at Life Time,” she explains. “On Mondays, we practice soccer. On Wednesdays, we rock climb. Then on Fridays, we go to the pool together. It feels so special as a family to close out our days here. And you can do something different every day, so your kids want to keep coming back.”

Both parents and kids can benefit from disconnecting from the fatigue of having to plan at the end of the day, according to Casillas. “Plus, Life Time can be cheaper than a babysitter — as a member, you can get up to two and a half hours of drop-in care every single day.”

To help you easily plan your after-school time so you can form your family’s routine, we rounded up a list of all the activities your kiddos can do in the afternoons and evenings at Life Time.

1. Kids Academy Drop-In Play and Classes

The Kids Academy provides educational and movement-focused activities for kids ages three months through 12 years old (ages may vary based on club location), all in a safe and secure setting with trained team members. Often centered on fun weekly themes, these activities are designed to give kids the freedom to explore new ideas and gain hands-on experiences. (Learn more: “Fun at the Life Time Kids Academy: A Sneak Peek.”)

“There is no reservation needed for non-infant drop-in play at the Kids Academy, so it’s a great option for parents needing something last minute to keep their kids entertained and engaged,” says Casillas.

Drop-In Classes are held all day for kids to join, whenever their parents or caregivers bring them. (Although not required, if you are able to plan in advance, reservations are preferred for classes when possible.) There are different options for ages 3 to 11 years, and the classes are varied, including tumbling, stretching, dancing, arts and crafts, sports, yoga, S.T.E.A.M., interactive nutrition games, and more. There is also toddler programming for 1- to 2-year-olds.

2. Kids Studio Classes

Kids often like to do the same things their parents do, and the Kids Studio Classes can be a fun introduction to the Life Time studio classes you know and love. Kids between the ages of 5 and 13 (grouped appropriately by development) can try the SOL yoga, Warrior Sculpt, SHRED, and Barre formats that are designed specifically for them.

Some clubs also intentionally schedule Kids Studio Classes to match the adult group classes being offered — you may see Danze Jam (kids’ Zumba) happening at the same time as adult Zumba, for instance. Clubs may also offer Grown-Up and Me Classes, where kids get to attend fitness classes with their parents. “It’s something fun that kids and parents can do and bond over together,” notes Casillas.

3. Swim Lessons, Swim Team, or Family Swim

Improving the swimming skills of your children can be a year-round initiative. Whether your kids are at the stage of learning how to swim or have the desire to improve their stroke and be more competitive, Life Time has instructors and programs to suit all levels and abilities.

Begin with Intro to Splash swim lessons (ages 3 months to 2 years) to get kids comfortable in the water with you before transitioning them to be on their own in swim lessons (ages 2 years and older). (Learn more: “Everything You Need to Know About Life Time Swim Lessons.”)

As your child grows, sign them up for swim clinics for specialized training (ages 5 to 12 years) or for competition by joining the swim team (based on your child’s ability, typically ages 5 to 18).

“Families can also come during Family Swim hours to work on water skills together or simply have fun playing games in the pool,” says Casillas.

4. Open Gym

During Open Gym hours, the world — or in this case, the court! — is their oyster. Kids can play familiar basketball favorites like around the world, HORSE, or lightning, challenge family members to a friendly game, or just run around to burn energy. Kids under 12 years old must have a parent or adult supervisor who is present.

5. Life Time Basketball

Kids can’t get enough of Open Gym time on the basketball court? Life Time’s basketball programming works with kids of all ages and skill levels on shooting, dribbling, teamwork, and other abilities necessary to fine-tune their hooping abilities. Basketball can be a great way to strengthen your kids’ motor and social skills all while having fun playing.

6. Junior Tennis

Life Time’s SMART tennis progressive programming focuses on fun and athleticism first, and tennis skills second. Kids start playing with others right away, learning this lifelong sport as they go and advancing to levels appropriate for their age and development.

7. Junior Pickleball

If you’ve heard all about the appeal of pickleball, it’s likely your kids know about this popular sport too. Pickleball is a sport that anyone at any age can pick up — kids included!

Junior Pickleball is an offering for Junior Members who are interested in getting involved with the sport and growing their abilities. This play-based programming emphasizes teaching young athletes to take joy in the game, while also improving their technical and tactical skills. (Learn More: “What Is Junior Pickleball Programming at Life Time?”)

8. Pickleball or Tennis Open Court Time

Want to engage in some family-friendly competition? Reserve a court and play against your kids in a round of pickleball or try singles or doubles tennis as a family. For kids, these moments of fun shared with their loved ones can have a positive impact. “There’s nothing better than seeing parents come in with their pickleball paddles and seeing the kids ready to go with their own paddles,” says Casillas.

9. Rock Wall

Challenge your child’s body and mind by encouraging them to climb to new heights as they explore routes on the rock wall. Only kids ages 5 and up can climb; a parent must be present to supervise kids ages 5 to 11 years old.

Note: Child care offerings, kids’ activities, and amenities may vary by age and club location.

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5 Reasons to Keep Your Kids Swimming All Year Long

Sophie Lunda — Thu, 04 Sep 2025 13:00:15 +0000

Can we go to the pool?!

It’s a question many parents hear on repeat once their kids are introduced to and more comfortable in water — usually in the summer months. Swimming is a go-to form of recreation for families this time of year, exposing kids to the freedom and confidence that comes with gliding, splashing, and floating in the water. But there’s no reason for this activity to be limited to summer break.

Whether your child has become a little fish or is still cautiously curious, transitioning swimming into a year-round activity is a great way for them to have fun and stay active, while also learning water-safety skills.

Considering a year-round aquatics program for your swimmer? Jen Rezac, director of kids and aquatics education at Life Time, shares why this is so good for them, as well as the options that are available through Life Time’s swim programming.

5 Benefits of Year-Round Swimming

1. Consistent skill development: Having the correct swimming form and skills is critical to ensuring your child is well prepared to be in the water. “It takes time and progression through multiple levels to become a strong, confident swimmer,” Rezac says. “Year-round lessons help children continue to build and maintain their skills, so they not only progress but also don’t regress between seasons.”

2. Physical wellness: Swimming is a great way for children to engage in regular physical movement. “Swimming helps build endurance, coordination, and overall fitness,” says Rezac. “If you’re encouraging a child’s enjoyment of the water, you’re encouraging them to stay active — and that can go a long way toward building healthy habits that stick with them for life.”

Swimming is also a low-impact activity, making it a safe and effective way for many people to stay active. (Learn more: “Every Body Into the Pool: 8 Strength and Stamina Water Workouts to Try.”)

3. Safety: Ensuring your child is capable of exploring the water freely is especially important. “The ability to swim is a lifesaving skill — and ongoing practice increases safety in and around any body of water,” Rezac says. “Studies show that formal swim lessons are associated with an 88 percent reduction in risk of drowning for young children.”

4. Improved mental health: Not only does swimming offer physical benefits, but it also can have a positive effect on a child’s mental wellness. “Helping a child feel confident, safe, and joyful in the water creates a positive association that studies show can benefit their overall well-being by increasing the amount of mood-boosting hormones generated by the brain,” Rezac explains. “These hormones generated by aquatic activities can also reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression.”

5. Accessibility: “Swimming is an incredibly inclusive activity, accessible for children of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds,” shares Rezac. “At Life Time, the continuous nature of our programming and the fact that our locations can be a one-stop destination for so many activities for the whole family also helps maximize convenience.”

Year-Round Swim Options at Life Time

There are a range of swim programming options for kids at Life Time depending on their prior experience and whether you’re looking for leisure, developmental, or competitive activities.

Rezac recommends scheduling a swim assessment to determine the program that’s the best fit your child and family. This can ensure that your child is placed at a level that sets them up for swimming success. You can choose to do either a virtual assessment, which is a series of questions crafted to help determine your child’s level, or register in the Life Time app for a 15-minute, in-person assessment at your local club.

Family Swim

This designated pool time is for children under the age of 12 who are accompanied by a parent, legal guardian, or sponsoring member. Families can enjoy the pool together while playing games, practicing swimming skills, or using any of the amenities their Life Time pool has to offer such as splash pads and slides.

The adult must be in the same pool as the children at all times (and within 10 feet of those who cannot swim 25 meters continuously). Lifeguards are on duty in most locations, but this may vary by club. Check your club schedule for available family swim times.

Swim Lessons

Life Time’s learn-to-swim program is designed for anyone looking to build their swimming skills. Options include a range of levels, with classes available for children as young as 3 months old all the way through adulthood.

Lessons are held weekly for 30 minutes and programs are available continuously throughout the year; you can start and stop at any time with a 30-day cancellation notice. Private lessons are also offered as a one-time or continuous option for both children and adults, with availability and times varying by club. You can register for swim lesson programs in the Life Time app. (Learn more: “Everything You Need to Know About Life Time Swim Lessons.”)

Swim Clinics

These one-time, three-hour events are for children ages 5 to 12, where they can learn swim and water-safety skills as well as enjoy fun water games. The frequency of swim clinics varies by location; sign up for swim clinics in the Life Time app.

Stroke Clinics

These one-time events typically last two to three hours and are for those who have already learned how to swim (they’re designed for children ages 5 and older). Participants focus on improving specific swimming skills or strokes. Check your club schedule for exact dates and sign up in the Life Time app.

Swim Team

Life Time’s swim teams are for children ages 5 and older who are interested in swimming as a sport. This continuous program is for those who are ready to be part of a team and take their swimming skills to the next level; it includes specialized training and regular competitions.

While the exact practice frequency varies by age group, there is a minimum of two sessions per week. The program offers a tryout if you’re unsure which group is the optimal placement for your child. Sign up for a tryout or register for a specific team level in the Life Time app. (Learn more: “What You Need to Know About Life Time’s Swim Team.”)

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The Good-Enough Parent

John Spayde — Fri, 22 Aug 2025 13:01:18 +0000

As if raising kids weren’t difficult and demanding enough, many parents feel pressure to do it perfectly. But we also have lives beyond the child-rearing sphere: We’re partners, friends, colleagues, and more.

Trying to excel at all these things at once is almost guaranteed to create what’s called “parent guilt”: When we go to work and leave the kids in someone else’s care, we feel guilty. When we leave work early for our kid’s soccer game — another twinge. When we miss happy hour with college pals because our kid needs help with a school project, we feel contrite because we fear we’re turning into a no-show friend.

To make things worse, this pervasive sense of falling short makes it hard for us to be present when we’re with our children, at work, or with friends. It’s a self-reinforcing negative cycle.

Marriage and career counselor Rachel Glik, EdD, LPC, author of A Soulful Marriage, has some suggestions for breaking out of the cycle and escaping parent guilt. She says the key to juggling these relationships is tending to your relationship with yourself.

Stress Source

You feel inadequate. Struggling to balance kids, work, and a social life can make you feel like a failure in all three spheres. It’s a particularly modern dilemma because responsibilities were once divided, Glik says: One parent, usually the mother, would take care of the kids while the father went off to work. “Today, moms are bearing a lot of financial burdens as well, and there are also working fathers accepting more household responsibilities.”

People in your life offer unsolicited advice. “Parents and in-laws may suggest what they think you should do about parenting or your other responsibilities, and it’s easy to take this unsolicited advice as criticism, even if that’s not its intention,” she says. (See “What’s the Best Way to Handle Unsolicited Advice From Family Members?” for expert suggestions.)

You believe you should be able to do it all. According to Glik, the biggest culprit in creating parent guilt is the illusion that our reservoir of energy and capacity is unlimited. “That sets us up for thinking we’re always missing the mark.”

Kids don’t care. You might wish that your kids could understand the pressure you’re facing and cut you some slack. But infants, toddlers, and adolescents can’t see everything you’re trying to do — because their needs take priority.

You compare yourself with others. Opportunities for comparison are everywhere — from acquaintances who seem to be thriving to social media images of “superparents” who are popular and prosperous.

“Social media can create a kind of groupthink in which we return to some of the self-conscious anxieties we had in middle school,” Glik says.

Setting boundaries is hard. The temptation to think we can do it all is connected to the difficulty of saying no when necessary.

“It takes so much more effort to set a boundary than it does to get mad or just give in,” says Glik. “It can be particularly hard to set boundaries with ourselves — to give ourselves permission to take care of ourselves.”

Success Strategies

1) Give yourself a break. Successfully handling the pressures of parenting starts with realizing and respecting that you’re trying, Glik asserts. Acknowledge that you’re doing your best to balance all elements of your life. Then, she advises, repeat a mantra to yourself: “My best is more than enough.”

2) Reconsider how you establish your self-image and self-worth. “Why do we feel guilty for not being able to do it all?” Glik asks. “Often, we form our sense of self based on how well we succeed at making everybody happy.”

But we can’t make everybody happy all the time, she argues. We’re going to let down the people in our lives at some point, which is OK. “People can handle disappointment.”

3) Know your triggers. Glik recommends building awareness around the situations and stimuli that evoke strong emotional reactions. “I notice that when people want a lot from me, I can get angry,” she says.

Other people may be triggered by happy-family posts on social media, parenting advice from family members, or excessive physical touch at the end of a long day.

Becoming aware of your triggers can help you address the underlying need or issue. Glik notes that when she feels annoyed at people’s requests, “I mostly catch myself and realize it’s only because I put so much pressure on myself, thinking that if somebody asks me to do something, I have to do it.”

(Check out “13 Strategies to Deal With Your Emotional Triggers” for actionable advice for handling our trigger reactions.)

4) Use reassuring statements. You can acknowledge the other person’s need or concern when you decline invitations, Glik points out.

“With friends, it can be ‘I know that you miss being with me, and I miss us too. But it’s clear to me that this is where I need to be right now.’ At work: ‘I really want to join you on that project, but I just need a minute to collect my thoughts before I commit.’ If you have to miss a meeting, you can reassure people that you’ll get notes from a colleague.”

5) Pursue self-care. Compassionate boundary setting provides space for you to care for yourself, which Glik believes is essential. Caring for your health, pursuing hobbies and other interests, and seeking support from friends or professional counselors are all ways to make sure you’re able to put good energy into your roles of parent, friend, and colleague.

6) Get the kids to help. Your children may not empathize with your struggles, but they can help in other ways, Glik says. “One thing that helps to alleviate the overwhelm is to not see your role as to always give your children your energy, but to help them contribute their own.”

If they’re old enough, you can give them responsibilities, like doing their own laundry or helping with meals.

7) Be careful with comparisons. Glik thinks we’re hardwired to compare ourselves with others — “we’re social by nature, and it’s natural for us to be aware of others.” But we can learn to identify healthy comparison, in which we simply aspire to emulate someone we admire, and unhealthy comparison, in which we elevate another person in a way that ensures we will always fall short.

If you notice that your tendency to compare or compete with others has reached an unhealthy level, this may be a sign that you need to engage in more self-care practices or take a break from social media and other similar triggers.

8) Stay present. It’s best not to dwell on what’s next, Glik says. “It’s important to stay in the present moment as much as you possibly can so that you can listen within for where you’re needed now and not get ahead of yourself.”

Her primary tool for doing this is PBR — pause, breathe, relax. “It’s a micromindfulness tool easy to take with you throughout your day,” she says. “This tells your brain that all is well.”

9) Cultivate gratitude. “Being a parent, a worker, a partner, and a friend at the same time can be stressful,” Glik acknowledges. “But if you can see these roles as representing a full, rich life, that attitude can help you meet that life’s demands.”

Making a gratitude list can help you appreciate what you have. Or you could try Glik’s approach: “I like to pretend that I have just discovered that I have a family, a job, a circle of friends, as if I never had them or they were taken away from me and restored. Then I get to see them as amazing blessings.”

Renewal

For more inspiration and strategies to overcome life’s challenges, please visit our Renewal department.

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19 Can’t-Miss Kids and Family Events at Life Time to Add to Your Summer and Fall Calendar

Tina Nguyen — Thu, 03 Jul 2025 13:00:31 +0000

“Mom, dad: What are we doing today? I’m bored!”

If you’re a parent, the chances are good you’ve heard your kids say this on more than one occasion. It’s also likely that you only have so much time and capacity to keep them entertained all day. Life Time can be your back-up.

Each week, there are new events at the club to keep your kids engaged in healthy fun for several hours. Some are just for kids, giving parents the opportunity to leave or stay at and use the club, while others are designed for the whole family to take part in together.

“Kids and families are an important part of the Life Time community,” says Art Johnson, senior manager of events and sponsorship marketing at Life Time. “We host unique events throughout the year to bring value to our members while also helping them make lasting family memories.”

Avoid those in-the-moment panics of, What should we do?! by looking to this round up of kids and family events to help fill your calendar July through October.

Jump to:

July

Family Event
Parents Night Out

August

Parents Night Out

September

Family Event
Parents Night Out

October

Family Event
Parents Night Out

July

Family Event

Poolapalooza

Date: July 12–31 (dates vary by club)
Ages: All ages welcome
Length: 3 hours (time may vary by club)

One of Life Time’s longest running family events, Poolapalooza is back this year to make a big splash. This pool party features family-friendly music and games like pool floatie races and limbo for the whole family. Come make some waves and memories at this poolside event.

Parents Night Out

Adventure Awaits

Ages: 4 to 12 years old (ages may vary by club)
Length: 3 hours

An exciting journey awaits! Adventurers will create nature-inspired crafts like sunshine catchers and DIY pinwheels, and make paint out of dandelions. They’ll also play team-building games like ducks in a pond and frogs and fish.

Glitter Galore

Ages: 4 to 12 years old (ages may vary by club)
Length: 3 hours

Get ready to sparkle! Kids will use a rainbow of glitter to create dazzling masterpieces like a rainbow twirler or rainbow collage and make their own glitter slime. After unleashing their creativity, they’ll run around in the gym playing games like stop-and-go freeze dance and popcorn launch.

Super Builder Challenge

Ages: 4 to 12 years old (ages may vary by club)
Length: 3 hours

Does your child have what it takes to compete? All in the name of good fun, of course! Kids will be put to the test racing against their friends and the clock in block-building challenges and Minute to Win It-style games. Their accuracy and creativity will be challenged. After the competition, kids will play robot tag and balance tag in the gym.

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August

Parents Night Out

Shipwrecked Tales

Ages: 4 to 12 years old (ages may vary by club)
Length: 3 hours

Come aboard and channel your inner castaway. Kids will embark on adventures in the gym playing ships ahoy or captain’s coming, create treasure playdough or pirate treasure slime, and engage in a treasure toss and treasure map relay. This event promises a trove of fun for young explorers.

Yoga GLO

Ages: 4 to 12 years old (ages may vary by club)
Length: 3 hours

Kids will sample our Kids Studio SOL Yoga class at this glow-in-the-dark party. Older kids will kick off the night making glow-in-the-dark bracelets to wear during their flow session, while younger kids will make glow-in-the-dark or neon slime. Then the lights go off, the glowsticks come out, and yoga is on!

Creative Celebration

Ages: 4 to 12 years old (ages may vary by club)
Length: 3 hours

Kids can unleash their imagination at this event that features activities like pool noodle balancing and tic-tac-toe relay, and the chance to create vibrant masterpieces with puffy paint and bubble art. They’ll also head to the gym to play rainbow road and four-corner dodgeball.

So Long Summer

Ages: 4 to 12 years old (ages may vary by club)
Length: 3 hours

Give summer the sendoff it deserves with a final bash! Kids will play gym games like ice cream tag and swim or sand, make paper popsicles or paper leis (depending on age), and build a garden. They’ll also do a S.T.E.A.M. experiment to see how many different summer items can fit inside a beach bag.

Hula Hoopla

Ages: 4 to 12 years old (ages may vary by club)
Length: 3 hours

Hula on over to Life Time for this party. Kids will take part in a beach-ball relay race, create paper lei crafts or flower lei necklaces, and participate in a glitter lava lamp or melting sandcastle S.T.E.A.M. activity.

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September

Family Event

Grandparents’ Day

Date: September 7
Ages: All ages welcome
Length: 2 hours

Grandparents and grandchildren are invited to celebrate Grandparents’ Day at Life Time. This event features pick-and-choose intergenerational activities like handprint crafts, generation bingo, and painting. All generations are welcome and appreciated!

Members are invited to bring nonmember family members as long as there is an adult member present.

Parents Night Out

Game Board Battles

Ages: 4 to 12 years old (ages may vary by club)
Length: 3 hours

Step into the arena for some fierce board game competitions: Kids will create their own board games and put them into play. They’ll also play gym games like team memory match up and sink the ship, and participate in a maze challenge.

Life Time Laboratory

Ages: 4 to 12 years old (ages may vary by club)
Length: 3 hours

We’ve developed the formula for fun: bubbles, fireworks, and explosions! Here, kids will channel their inner scientists and rotate through experiments in which they are challenged to develop and test their hypotheses. We’ll see which theory from these whizzes rings true!

Silly Olympics

Ages: 4 to 12 years old (ages may vary by club)
Length: 3 hours

All kid Olympians are invited to the Silly Olympics, where they’ll compete in wacky relays, zany obstacle courses, and wild challenges to test their mind and athletic skills. In the end, the winners will be crowned in a crowd-roaring celebration of silliness and victory.

Quarterbacks and Cartwheels

Ages: 4 to 12 years old (ages may vary by club)
Length: 3 hours

Gear up for a night of football games, cheer routines, and thrilling team-building activities. Kids can create their own paper megaphone or tissue paper pom poms, then play football tag, relays, and capture the football in the gym. There will also be building block competitions to see who can construct the tallest tower. You’re not going to want to fumble this one!

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October

Family Event

JamBOOree

Date: October 18
Ages: All ages welcome
Length: 45 minutes (time may vary by club)

Come one, come all, for this family workout event. This 45-minute family workout features a thrilling combination of Kids SOL Yoga, Kids SHRED, and Kids LifeBarre, followed by fall-inspired family arts and crafts. Come dressed in costume with your lil’ ghouls and goblins (or just come as you are).

Parents Night Out

Goblins and Goo

Ages: 4 to 12 years old (ages may vary by club)
Length: 3 hours

Join this haunting party where kids will craft goblin paintings and goblin suncatchers, play games like escape the goo pit, and create their own oozy goblin slime.

Dinosaurs and Dragons

Ages: 4 to 12 years old (ages may vary by club)
Length: 3 hours

Travel back in time to a world of prehistoric and mythical fun. Kids will participate in activities like rob the dragon’s nest and dino and dragon egg hunt, as well as create their own dinosaur fossils. This event offers a perfect mix of active play and imagination that your adventurer won’t want to miss!

Monster Dash

Ages: 4 to 12 years old (ages may vary by club)
Length: 3 hours

Let’s BOOgie at Life Time! Kids can wear costumes and participate in ghoulish games like monster dash tag and monster dash dodgeball. They’ll also create their own mini monsters out of yarn, monster-themed headbands, and some gooey monster oobleck (a mixture of cornstarch and water). Kids will be in for a frightfully fun night.

Halloween Fun Fest

Ages: 4 to 12 years old (ages may vary by club)
Length: 3 hours

Ghosts, goblins, witches brew — this Halloween party is just for you! Kids will participate in crafts, games, and thrills through a variety of activities like spider dodgeball, zombie tag, and straw art. There’s also a costume contest.

Specific event dates and details may vary by club location. Check your club’s schedule for more information and to register.

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Go-To Healthy-Living Gift Ideas for Dad

Molly Kopischke — Thu, 29 May 2025 13:00:25 +0000

Shopping for the dads in your life can be challenging, so you’re not alone if you’ve been brainstorming and searching for a just-right Father’s Day gift and coming up short. But have you checked out the LT Shop yet? Our Father’s Day Collection offers some fresh ideas for the health-motivated father figures in your life. Below are a few of the notable items worth considering — sorted by dad’s interests and preferences.

(Bonus for you: Many of these items are on sale or offering special promotions now through June 15. See individual products for offers.)

For the Athleisure-Loving Dad: Outfit dad for workouts or a day of playing outdoors with apparel that’s made to move. With high-performance fabrics, these top picks might become his go-to favorites: the Men’s Ten Thousand Camoknit Short Sleeve Tee paired with the Men’s Ten Thousand Distance Short; the Men’s Lululemon License to Train Short Sleeve Shirt paired with Men’s Lululemon Pace Breaker Short; or the Men’s Wilson Court Performance Crew paired with the Men’s Wilson Pickleball Tournament Short and the Men’s Wilson Pickleball Elevate Performance 1/2 Zip. Complete his new look with a pair of Oakley sunglasses.

For the Performance-Focused Dad: Help dads track their fitness progress with a Garmin watch. Or book a Dynamic Stretch or Dynamic Personal Training session on the Life Time app to help them move at their best.

For the Recovery-Minded Dad: If dad has tight, sore muscles, the Hypervolt massage device is just the gift to loosen those knots and target fatigue. Looking to splurge? You can also help dad increase circulation and revive muscles with Normatec compression therapy tools.

For the Pickleball-Playing Dad: Dad can dink like the pros with the latest in pickleball paddle technology. JOOLA pickleball paddles are available in a variety of colors and designs. Pair the paddle with a three-pack of the LT Pro 48 Pickleball, which is designed for improved play, consistency, and durability.

For the Nutrient-Focused Dad: Stock dad’s supplement supply with the daily essential nutrients found in the LTH Men’s Multivitamin. LTH Power Creatine may be dad’s new favorite supplement for muscle gains and a healthy brain — plus, can easily gifted as a duo with a glass shaker bottle.

For the Potential-Seeking Dad: The Feel Better Male hormone panel self-collection kit allows dad to understand how his body responds to stress by assessing three critical markers: DHEA, cortisol, and total testosterone.

Can’t decide on a gift? Let dad select a gift or service of choice with a Life Time gift card.

The post Go-To Healthy-Living Gift Ideas for Dad appeared first on Experience Life.

Time for Summer Fun: The June, July, and August Kids’ Events at Life Time

Callie Fredrickson — Tue, 13 May 2025 13:00:53 +0000

The warmer months are upon us, and for many people with children, summer schedules are filling up. Before the season of sun and freedom disappears — and before you can even begin to wonder where it has gone — Life Time is here to help you plan for some regular you time while your kids learn, play, and are entertained.

Every week, Life Time Kids features Parents Night Out events, where your kids can hang out with others their age while taking part in games and activities related to that evening’s theme. There are Tween Takeover events held monthly, too.

“We use Parents Night Out events for much-needed date nights,” says Abby Banks, member at Life Time in Edina, Minn. “Between three kids in numerous activities, work, and other life obligations, it’s a great chance for my husband and I to reconnect. We know our kids are having the best time and being well taken care of at Life Time.”

Life Time families have even become friends thanks to Parents Night Out events. “We also use these nights to meet up with other Life Time parents,” says Banks. “We’ve developed such an amazing community here!”

Learn more about the events and themes taking place in June, July, and August:

June
Surf & Turf	Slime Squad	Ready to Rock	Rookie Rally
Tween Takeover

July
Astronaut Training	Adventure Awaits	Glitter Galore	Super Builder Challenge
Tween Takeover

August
Shipwrecked Tales	Yoga GLO	Creative Celebration	So Long Summer	Hula Hoopla
Tween Takeover

Tween Takeover

Ages: 9 to 13 years old
Length: Typically 3 hours

At Tween Takeover nights, kids rule! This time is for your tween to decide what they want to do at their athletic country club: They can play sports, create crafts, challenge one another to a board game, or participate in other fun activities. The space is theirs.

Surf & Turf

Ages: 4 to 12 years old (ages may vary by club)
Length: 3 hours

Surf’s up, dude! Kids will create tropical-themed crafts and jelly fish and sand art, play Hula-Hoop freeze tag and noodle dance tag, and make pool noodle structures and beach ball towers. Noodle wars, noodle smack down, and other activities are also featured at this fun luau.

Slime Squad

Ages: 4 to 12 years old (ages may vary by club)
Length: 3 hours

Slime at home? Messy! Slime at Life Time? Bring it on! Send your kids to this slime party where they’ll create custom slime colors and textures in the “science lab.” Kids will also enjoy crafting with tin foil: younger kids will make mosaics using cutout shapes of tin foil while older kids will use tin foil, washable markers, and paper to make art prints.

After they’ve made slime and created art, they’ll compete in some awesome gym games such as island-themed dodgeball and sink the ship, and tag games such as sharks and minnows and Ollie Ollie Octopus.

Ready to Rock

Ages: 4 to 12 years old (ages may vary by club)
Length: 3 hours

Get ready to mic up and rock the night away! Kids will unleash their inner rockstar as they craft music-themed masterpieces such as paper plate tambourines or hand drums, engage in musical games like rock and roll dots or musical hoops, and create a water xylophone or popsicle stick harmonica.

Rookie Rally

Ages: 4 to 12 years old (ages may vary by club)
Length: 3 hours

Kids can compete with friends in sports, games, and team-building challenges such as crazy kickball, capture the flag, sorting race, and paper bridge challenge. Players will show their team spirit by creating a team spirit flag or team spirit windsock.

Astronaut Training

Ages: 4 to 12 years old (ages may vary by club)
Length: 3 hours

Calling all astronauts to report to mission control: This event is going to be out of this world! Kids will see if they have what it takes to be an astronaut through activities including building flying saucers, painting planets, creating art with galaxy chalk, and playing gym games such as man from mars and catching stars.

Adventure Awaits

Ages: 4 to 12 years old (ages may vary by club)
Length: 3 hours

Come to Life Time for this exciting journey! Adventurers will create nature-inspired crafts like a sunshine catcher, DIY pinwheels, and paint out of dandelions, as well as play team-building games like ducks in a pond and frogs and fish.

Glitter Galore

Ages: 4 to 12 years old (ages may vary by club)
Length: 3 hours

Get ready to sparkle: Kids will use a rainbow of glitter to create dazzling masterpieces like a rainbow twirler or rainbow collage as well as will make their own glitter slime. After unleashing their creativity, they’ll run around in the gym playing games like stop-and-go freeze dance and popcorn launch.

Super Builder Challenge

Ages: 4 to 12 years old (ages may vary by club)
Length: 3 hours

Does your child have what it takes to compete (all in the name of good fun, of course!)? Kids will be put to the test to race against their friends and the clock in block-building challenges and Minute to Win It-style games. Their accuracy and creativity will be challenged. After the competition, kids will play robot tag and balance tag in the gym.

If your kids attend and enjoy this event, try your own version of it at home: “Family Activity Night: Super Builder Challenge.”

Shipwrecked Tales

Ages: 4 to 12 years old (ages may vary by club)
Length: 3 hours

Come aboard and channel your inner castaway. Kids will embark on adventures in the gym playing ship ahoy or captain’s coming, create treasure playdough or pirate treasure slime, and engage in a treasure toss and treasure map relay. This event promises a treasure trove of fun for young explorers.

Yoga GLO

Ages: 4 to 12 years old (ages may vary by club)
Length: 3 hours

Kids will sample our Kids Studio SOL Yoga class at this glow-in-the-dark party. They’ll kick off the night making glow-in-the-dark bracelets to wear during their flow session, while younger kids will make glow-in-the-dark or neon slime. Then the lights go off, the glowsticks come out, and yoga is on!

Creative Celebration

Ages: 4 to 12 years old (ages may vary by club)
Length: 3 hours

Kids can unleash their imagination at this event that offers activities such as pool noodle balancing and a tic tac toe relay and the chance to create vibrant masterpieces with puffy paint and bubble art. They’ll also head to the gym to play rainbow road and four-corner dodgeball.

So Long Summer

Ages: 4 to 12 years old (ages may vary by club)
Length: 3 hours

Give summer the sendoff it deserves with a final bash! Kids will play gym games such as ice cream tag and swim or sand, make crafts like paper popsicles or paper leis (depending on age), and build a garden. They’ll also do a S.T.E.A.M. experiment to see how different summer items fit inside a beach bag. So long, summer!

Hula Hoopla

Ages: 4 to 12 years old (ages may vary by club)
Length: 3 hours

Hula on over to Life Time for this party. Kids will participate in a beach ball relay race, as well as make paper lei crafts or flower lei necklaces, and go through a glitter lava lamp or melting sandcastle S.T.E.A.M. activity.

Common FAQs About Kids Events

Shelly Forsberg, director of kids and aquatics at Life Time, shares answers to commonly asked questions from parents.

Life Time | What can I expect if I sign my child up for a Life Time Kids event?

Shelly Forsberg | Each event has a theme, and we build the curriculum around that so there are always fun, new activities for kids to take part in. There is a new theme each week to help accommodate family schedules and to allow for a greater chance for every child to attend. Kids’ events occur every Saturday. Depending on the club, there may also be additional events on Fridays.

Regardless of the theme, every curriculum follows an intentionally designed format: There’s always arts and crafts time, a STEAM project, a gym game or a sports activity — or some combination of those. Then, we always serve dinner, which is usually pizza and juice.

Events typically last two to three hours and can accommodate kids ages 4 to 12 years old (ages may vary by club based on state requirements). Tween Takeover events are generally for kids ages 9 to 13 years old, though that may vary by club as well.

Our Life Time Kids team members go through training before being entrusted with your kids. This training includes CPR training, a child-development course, and a classroom-management course to ensure your kids are in the safest hands.

LT | Do parents need to stay at the club while their child is attending an event?

SF | No. Parents can leave the club or stay on site. Most often, we see parents using this time in the club, whether that be to take a fitness class, use the space and machines on the workout floor, relax in the sauna or steam room, grab a bite to eat in the LifeCafe, or hit the pickleball court with friends.

LT | Is there a cost to these events? And do you have to be a Life Time member to participate?

SF | All Kids events are included at no cost in Junior Memberships. Your child does need to be on a Life Time Junior Membership to attend the events.

LT | How do I sign my child up for an event?

SF | Reservations can be made up to 30 days prior to each event and registration closes five hours before the event begins. Each participant is allowed to reserve one event per week. View the schedule on my.lifetime.life or in the Life Time app by clicking “View All Events” and under “Activity,” filtering by “Kids.” (We require all children attending events to be fully potty trained.)

If your child is registered but you need to cancel, we ask that you please do so at least five hours prior to the event to open up the spot for someone else; if you neglect to cancel at all or less than five hours prior, there will be a $25 no-show fee. If you were on a waitlist and moved to an available spot less than 24 hours prior to the start of the event, you will not be penalized if you miss the event.

Please arrive on time to the event; if you arrive more than 15 minutes after the start time, your child’s spot may be forfeited and offered to someone on the waitlist. A photo ID is required at pickup, and late pickups will result in a fee.

The post Time for Summer Fun: The June, July, and August Kids’ Events at Life Time appeared first on Experience Life.

A Guide to Teaching Kids Good Money Skills

Jill Metzler Patton — Thu, 08 May 2025 13:00:59 +0000

If you’re a parent, you’ve likely taught your kids to brush their teeth and eat their veggies. But have you talked with them about saving for a rainy day?

“Financial literacy” refers to the skills and knowledge that enable us to manage our money effectively. Teaching kids sound monetary habits from an early age sets them up to make smart, confident financial decisions as they grow — and can improve their overall well-being.

The No. 1 source of stress in many people’s lives is money, says Tim Ranzetta, cofounder of Next Gen Personal Finance, which provides personal finance curriculum and professional development for teachers. He notes that giving kids a sense of control over money can enhance their long-term emotional health.

Those effects extend beyond their bank accounts. A study published in 2021 found that children who learn money skills, like budgeting and saving, are more likely to maintain those habits in adulthood — and have stronger romantic relationships, too.

Fortunately, you don’t need to be a finance expert or solve your own money issues to teach your kids healthy habits. “Start before you feel comfortable,” advises Linda Matthew, owner of MoneyMindful Personal Finance Coaching. “Don’t wait until you have it all together.”

Money Lessons for Every Age

It’s almost never too early to teach kids about money — nor is it ever too late. The main objective is to give them opportunities to gain knowledge and skills in a low-stakes environment.

YOUNG KIDS
(Ages 3–8)

Money-related conversations with young children can be simple and fun. “You’re just getting them used to using money as a tool,” says John Lanza, author of The Art of Allowance.

Focus on emotional skills. “Young children don’t understand money very well, but they understand emotions,” says Anthony Delauney, author of the Owning the Dash series of children’s books, which introduce financial lessons.

In one book, a brother and sister are each given 10 jelly beans and told they’ll earn more if they don’t eat them right away. The book explores patience and kindness as the brother, who resists temptation, helps his sister get a second chance to grow her stash after she eats her jelly beans.

Start an allowance. Giving kids as young as kindergarten age an allowance can help them practice using money. Rather than tying it to chores, think of an allowance as part of their education, Matthew suggests.

Delauney agrees, noting that associating money with chores may have the adverse effect of teaching kids to see their contribution to the household as negotiable as they get older.

Make money tangible. Let children see and handle money. Explain how you earn it and talk about things in their lives that money buys. Encourage them to run a make-believe store or restaurant, and when you buy something at a real store, let them hand over the bills and take the change.

Introduce saving, spending, and giving. Rather than a piggy bank, some experts suggest giving children three clear jars labeled Save, Spend, and Give. Offer parameters for how to divide money they receive.

For example, if they receive five dollars, have them put one dollar in the Save jar and one in the Give jar, and let them choose where to put the other three. “The more a child feels like they’re in charge of the decision, the more they’ll take ownership of that decision,” says Delauney.

TWEENS
(Ages 9–13)

Preteens often begin to compare themselves with peers, which makes this a great time to introduce foundations of earning, saving, and not trying to keep up with the Joneses’ kids.

Give them a debit card. Kids this age can grasp more abstract concepts of money, and debit cards help them use money in a digital world. Many debit cards on the market for kids (which are typically tied to checking accounts) have digital versions of the Save and Spend jars. As the parent owner on these accounts, you have visibility into your child’s activity and can guide their decision-making.

Encourage entrepreneurship. Some kids are satisfied with allowance money, but others are ready to earn more. Hosting lemonade stands or craft sales, or doing odd jobs around the house — ones you might otherwise do or pay others to do — are great ways for kids who want more money to earn it, says Lanza.

Emphasize saving and mindful spending. Saving makes more sense to kids when they can imagine what they’re saving for, so let them set goals that matter to them. Have them paste a picture of their goal on their Save jar as a reminder.

If they want to dip into their savings for something they haven’t been saving for, Lanza suggests instituting a weeklong waiting period to temper impulse buys.

But don’t be afraid to let children make mistakes, Ranzetta adds. “At some point they’re going to be out of your house, and it’s better for them to learn these lessons early when they provide teachable moments.”

Support giving. Facilitate regular conversations about what kids might do with their Give money. Help them identify charities or causes that they want to support and gifts they’d like to buy for others. You might offer to match their gifts (at any percentage — it doesn’t have to be 1:1) to increase their impact.

ADOLESCENTS
(Ages 14+)

Each step toward adulthood is an opportunity for real-world financial lessons, says Ranzetta. “The lens I think about is money milestones.”

Put them to work. Encourage teens to take on neighborhood gigs like babysitting, lawn mowing, or dog walking. Once they’re old enough, part-time jobs offer opportunities for more sophisticated money lessons.

“They’re going to read the pay stub, and now you can have a conversation about FICA and other deductions,” Ranzetta notes. “They’re going to file a tax return. They may want to set up direct deposit or automatic savings.”

Tie an allowance to budgeting. Increase a child’s allowance as they mature, but make them responsible for purchasing some of their own necessities, such as clothes or gas. Ranzetta suggests spreading an allowance out over time.

“Instead of weekly, pay kids monthly,” he advises. “And when the money runs out, it runs out.” This teaches them to plan and make more careful decisions.

Introduce investing. Consider opening a custodial Roth IRA for children under 18. You’d manage the account, but they’d contribute to it with their own earned money.

“I don’t think teens are too young to talk about the stock market,” notes Ranzetta, who suggests letting kids invest a small amount in a company they know something about. “Go back every few weeks and talk about how their investment did and why.”

Don’t worry if you’re not up for more sophisticated investing, says Delauney. “If a child knows how to balance a budget, that’s going to be worth 10 times more than knowing how to place a proper stock trade.”

Talk about debt and credit. Staying out of debt — particularly high-interest credit-card debt — is a crucial lesson for kids moving toward adulthood. And they may need a good credit score in a few years to rent an apartment or buy a car.

If you have good credit, you might sign your child as an authorized user on your card, which builds their credit history. Once they’re old enough to get their own credit card, suggest that they put a $500 limit on it and pay it off every month. “Teach them to play the credit-score game without getting in over their heads,” Matthew says.

Adds Lanza: “Ultimately, you’re taking children on a journey toward money empowerment, which is more about becoming than it is about being. It’s fun when you realize how much you’re learning on the journey with your kids.”

Balance

Explore more empowering strategies to support your efforts to live in (closer) alignment with your values at our Balance department.

The post A Guide to Teaching Kids Good Money Skills appeared first on Experience Life.

Healthy-Living Gifts Any Mom Is Sure to Love

Callie Fredrickson — Thu, 24 Apr 2025 14:00:51 +0000

Many moms are known for doing it all — and that’s all the more reason they deserve to be shown appreciation for the countless ways they pour into their families and friends. This Mother’s Day, treat them with gifts of wellness that they’ll not only enjoy, but that benefit their health too.

These ideas from the LT Shop’s Mother’s Day Collection can guide your gift-giving efforts. (And bonus for you: Many of these items are on sale or offering special promotions now through May 11. See individual products for offers.)

For the Self-Care Seeker: Let mom select a spa treatment of choice with a Life Time gift card that can be used in the LifeSpa. For at-home pampering, mom may enjoy the luxury of a Moroccanoil gift set featuring shampoo and conditioner. Choose between four options — hydrating, repairing, volumizing, or blonde-perfecting purple — to best meet your mom’s hair needs.

The LTH Rewind Collagen Elixir is a daily drinkable shot with collagen peptides, hyaluronic acid, and antioxidants that supports the healthy of their hair, skin, and nails from the inside-out.

For the Fashionista: Gear mom up for workouts with apparel that’s made to move. With on-trend options made from soft, lightweight, and quick-drying fabrics, there’s sure to be a style she loves.

A few favorite outfits to consider:

The Women’s Lululemon Wunder Train High-Rise Tight paired with the Women’s Lululemon All Yours Cotton Tee.
The Women’s LSKD Aspire Sports Bra with the Women’s LSKD Vital Tank and the Women’s LSKD Elixir Full Length Tights With Pockets.

She may also appreciate a pair of Oakley sunglasses to wear with her new athleisure set.

Is mom a pickleballer? Boost her court confidence with the Women’s Lululemon Pickleball Sculpt Cropped Tank and the Women’s Lululemon Pickleball Narrow Waistband Skirt.

For the Recovery Minded: Protein is necessary for building and repairing tissues in the body, among its many other benefits. Make hitting her protein goals easier by gifting mom with LTH Prime Collagen Peptides. One scoop provides 20 grams of protein as well as support for the health of the gut, hair, skin, and joints. It can mix easily into any liquid — even her morning coffee.

A portable Hypervolt 2 or Hypervolt Go 2 allows mom to experience the benefits of percussive massage at home or on the go. These devices are designed to massage away stress and tension, loosen tight muscle knots, and target fatigue.

For the Hydrated Hero: Get a reusable Tea Tumbler that mom can use to fill up on unlimited iced tea and cold brew from the LifeCafe all summer long. The stainless-steel, sweat-resistant design keeps drinks cool for hours.

For the Decision Maker: Can’t decide? Or does mom prefer to choose for herself? Let her select a gift or service of choice with a Life Time gift card.

The post Healthy-Living Gifts Any Mom Is Sure to Love appeared first on Experience Life.

How Gastric Bypass Surgery Transformed One Woman’s Life

Experience Life Staff — Wed, 26 Mar 2025 12:00:12 +0000

See Angela’s Top 3 Takeaways

As I bring my hands to my heart center, I take a long, deep breath and look at everyone who chose to join my class. I exhale and bow my head forward as a gesture of gratitude for each person in attendance.

It’s the summer of 2010. I’m teaching one of my first yoga classes — sharing space, breath, and energy with the wonderful people in the room — when it suddenly hits me how much yoga hasn’t just changed my body; it’s changed my life. Through yoga, I’ve built muscle, yes, but I’ve also forged a stronger connection with myself, the people I love, and a wider community.

It has taken a lot to get here.

A Desire for Control

When my career in human resources began, it accelerated quickly. By 2002, I was traveling a lot, often sharing devastating news that changed people’s lives. Holding on to information, such as who was getting let go or who wouldn’t receive a bonus, was often mentally and emotionally taxing. It was also something I couldn’t control.

What I believed I could control in my life was food. I loved having unequivocal authority over what I ate, when I ate, and how much I ate. I spent many hours brainstorming the most satisfying or indulgent meal that would give me comfort, satiation, and satisfaction.

I also had my eating buddies. These were people I met up with to gorge on food at restaurants or in my home. We would order a smorgasbord of nine or 10 things and devour it all, even if it took us three hours. Even if we were already full.

It was an odd contradiction. At the time, I thought I had control over food, but it’s now clear that food had control over me.

I thought I had control over food, but it’s now clear that food had control over me.

After one of these sessions, in 2003, one of my eating buddies mentioned that she was considering gastric bypass surgery. She decided not to attend the presurgery consultation and asked me to fill in and report back. She eventually determined she wasn’t interested, but I certainly was.

Around that time, I’d noticed that my lifestyle choices were affecting my toddler son and 8-year-old daughter. It wasn’t just that they were learning from my bad habits; my daughter was also “working” for me, grabbing bottles, toys, or diapers so I wouldn’t have to move from my favorite spot on the couch.

I thought about how I’d like to take them to the beach and be more involved in their fun, rather than relax in one spot. I wanted us to live life to the fullest — jump in the ocean, play catch, and things like that. If I wanted to participate with my kids, I had to lead a healthier life.

The surgery would help me create a better relationship with food and encourage more movement and activity. In addition to weight loss, gastric bypass surgery has been associated with reduced food cravings and food noise — intrusive thoughts about food. I was confident this would all help me kick-start a healthier lifestyle.

No Sweat … Yet!

I had surgery on April 7, 2004. Gastric bypass surgery is generally safe, but it’s a major procedure. It takes weeks to months before you can reintroduce certain foods and fully engage in higher levels of activity.

After the procedure, my stomach could only hold a small amount of anything. I started with liquids, slowly working up to small portions of healthy food. As I introduced foods back into my diet, I documented how things made me feel: Protein shakes made with water or warmed into a soup, finely ground beef, and raw tomatoes were great. Chicken, anything creamy, and cooked tomatoes (at first), were not.

I was rigorous about making sure I had enough water, protein, and other nutrients in my diet, and I didn’t experience too many cravings — though I longed for Fritos from time to time. But after my surgery, I enjoyed treats only on special occasions and in moderation.

I had a tremendous amount of support from my family, friends, and coworkers who kept me on track and accountable. I would get my Fritos, but I limited myself to eight per day if I had them, and then the little bag was stapled shut and returned to my colleague’s locked desk drawer.

Over time, I found that the food noise had quieted, and I was feeling more present in my life. I had more energy each day. So, the next change was embracing movement. I was ready to get active, but I didn’t want to sweat, and I didn’t want to exercise outside. It sounds a bit dramatic, but who wants to get all sticky and stinky and wash their hair twice a day?

When I saw an ad for a free yoga class, it seemed perfect. At the class, I was certain I looked like a jerky marionette puppet, trying to follow along as the teacher guided us from one beautiful shape to another. Afterward, she smiled at me and said, “You did really well, but you might want to try our beginners’ class.”

I did just that, and I noticed that I felt more relaxed, connected, and peaceful after practicing yoga. I also didn’t sweat — yet.

Then, just like my career, my passion for yoga took off. I practiced nearly every day. I had found a space that welcomed me in all facets and forms, and I was stronger and more present — not just in the studio but in my relationships as well. I even started embracing the sweat when it came because I believed it meant I was doing something right.

While my husband was at the gym, my son would often join me in class, sleeping with an eye mask until it was time for the “fun” poses, like standing on your head. My daughter took belly dance classes offered at the studio. The family dynamic that I’d dreamed of was coming to fruition.

Changing Poses

In early 2010, I left my job to take a six-month yoga teacher training course. I intended to return to work after completing the course, but before I graduated, I was offered a teaching opportunity at the first studio I practiced in. I committed to my passion and was teaching my own classes by July. My lifestyle had changed; working a high-pressure corporate job no longer aligned with the healing I wanted to bring to the world.

That August, I went to a yoga audition at Life Time. I was one of the least experienced people there, but I laid it all on the line. My story and teaching skills resonated with the group — and that’s where the next chapter began.

So many amazing things have happened since I was hired at Life Time. In addition to doing work I love, I’ve become codirector of Life Time’s BIPOC Network and part of the Inclusion Core Council. It means a lot to know that I’m helping ensure the company and its programming are as inclusive as possible. Outside of Life Time, I’ve taught yoga at facilities across the country, led classes for iconic brands, like Under Armour, and given lectures at universities and yoga companies.

Today, I’m 51, feeling better than ever, and enjoying my years of glitter. Without food noise occupying most of my brain space, I’ve been able to participate more fully in my life and relationships. I’ve embraced my new nickname, GrAngela, as I focus on being an amazing grandma. And the best part is that the important things remain constant, like my quirkiness, belly laughs, and love for my family.

My yoga and gastric bypass surgery journey has taken my life in a beautiful direction that allows me to share my love of movement and my story. Moving forward, I expect to continue creating spaces where people from all walks of life feel welcome, seen, and empowered. Spaces where they know they’ll receive support, advocacy, and healing.

And these days, when I go to the beach with my family, you’d better believe I’m playing with the kids and getting in the water!

Angela’s Top 3 Takeaways

Keep up with your screenings. People can be healthy at every size, but it’s important to keep on top of your health. Before surgery, I had never really explored my challenges with weight, and I’m grateful there were no bigger health issues going on — like diabetes or heart failure.
Create your own lifestyle. You get to decide what your healthy lifestyle looks like. Explore what type of movement brings you joy and don’t worry about what anyone else is doing. Put achievable boundaries around treats. Maybe you only indulge in cake when it’s an actual birthday, or you limit drinking to special occasions.
Get ready for forever. Living in a new, healthier way has no end point. You will face challenges along the way, be it with eating, your mindset, or your motivation, but the key is that you wake up the next day and try to be better.

My Turnaround

For more real-life success stories of people who have embraced healthy behaviors and changed their lives, visit our My Turnaround department.

Tell Us Your Story!
Have a transformational healthy-living tale of your own? Share it with us!

The post How Gastric Bypass Surgery Transformed One Woman’s Life appeared first on Experience Life.