LAC LA BICHE - Fitness instructor and nutrition enthusiast Sue LaPierre has been the leading face for inspiring healthy lifestyles in Lac La Biche County for more than 30 years. She has also been a speaker and emcee at local and regional women’s conferences, where she offers specific insights and experiences for women’s health.
Currently a full-time fitness instructor at the Bold Center, she says positive self-health doesn’t have to be only about rigorous training sessions and constant exercise classes, it can include simple, daily activities and easy movement.
“I did one of my fitness classes down at the outdoor equipment over the years at the spray park and I made the ladies go on the park. We were working on the outdoor equipment - a free fitness class I was doing - but then we went and climbed on the monkey bars, and we had fun… Movement doesn't have to be an exercise class necessarily.”
Whether its a structured fitness class, an online lesson in front of the computer screen or a walk around the block LaPierre says the important thing is to keep moving.
“Our bodies are built to move, even just getting up and being active in the house, going up and down the stairs or even walking around in the back yard. We need to get up and we need to get moving more because the less we move; the less we want to move,” she tells Lakeland This Week.
This past November, LaPierre spoke at the Rural Women’s Conference held at the Bold Center where women gathered to hear from other empowering women. Keynote speakers share information on topics ranging from physical and mental health, business, family and all the encompassing challenges that come with life.
Nutrition skills
LaPierre used the event to challenge the attendees to take a look at how they take care of their bodies, with not only fitness, but diet and mental outlooks.
Going through a food journey over the years, LaPierre and her family have integrated healthier diet options within her home. She uses her family experiences, research and education to help others understand the benefits of proper diet for their physical and mental health. She says diet plans can be tailored to individual lifestyles and schedules.
“It’s amazing, you can actually detox your body without doing a formal detox. Detoxing for somebody can actually be not eating junk food for a week or two. It allows your body to cleanse certain items. It’s amazing how we can make some small changes in our nutrition that can have a really big benefit,” said LaPierre.
Nutrition Month
Along with the physical conditioning, LaPierre will offer food preparation classes to community members. In March, which is Nutrition Month, LaPierre will be hosting online sessions for families interested in healthy diets and lifestyles. Through the sessions, LaPierre will offer simple guides for attendees to learn how to shop for quick healthy meals and how to prepare them. The fitness expert will also be making classroom visits at local schools to help students learn more about overall health.
In schools, in exercise rooms, online, in backyards or on playground equipment, LaPierre loves the ability to help those around her be the best they can be. After 30 years, she says that helping to empower others gives her strength as well.
“As a trainer and an instructor, I like to share that information with clients. I love what I do. I love teaching fitness classes. I love being outside…God knows at some point I’m going to have to scale back the number of classes I teach but I’m strong and I’m energized because I take care of myself and I move.”
