Gaston Rehab Associates, Inc.

Arnold Classic 2008

Gaston Rehab Associates, Inc. is proud to say that one of our employee family members, Bethany Gainey, took 8th at the 2008 Arnold Classic on February 29th. Bethany has worked for us for a little less than a year, but has been competing at the professional level in fitness competition for the last two years. Bethany's 8th place is a huge improvement from the 13th place she took last year, in this invitation only event. Way to go Bethany, keep up the great work!

Olympic Trials at Whitewater Park in Charlotte

The US Olympic Trials for Whitewater Slalom will be held at the US National Whitewater Center April 25-27th. This will draw national attention and be aired on NBC. This exciting event should help give the center the financial boost it needs to put it in the black. Unfortunately as of late many local governments are questioning whether or not they are seeing any benefit from their financial backing of the facility. How Jeff Wise and the rest of the staff at the USNWC, handle the organization in the next year could be the determining factor of whether or not financial backing will be provided in the future.

New Year's Resolutions vs. Habits You Keep

Putting together your resolutions for the New Year? If you are like many people, you have probably taken some time to reflect on the past year and have possibly even vowed to make changes in the next year. But how many of us really stick to the resolutions?

If you have ever started working out at a gym in January, by February if you are still there, you notice far fewer people fighting for a spot on the treadmills. If you were not still there in February, don't worry you weren't alone.

Experts say that it takes 30 days for a habit to form. This isn't good advice and is outdated to say the least. Unfortunately it only takes about a second to revert back to old habits. Don't believe me? Any habit you have can be instantly (in about a second)  be changed. Start eating a chocolate bar and then tell yourself you don't need it and put it away before you are finished. People will say, but things like smoking are not as easily given up because of the addictive nature? My response to that is what if they stopped making cigarettes tomorrow, what would happen to smokers? They wouldn't die, they may go through nicotine withdrawal, but it wouldn't kill them.

You see it is about the choices we make. You can make the choice to work out or watch TV. Smoke or go through nicotine withdrawal to become a non-smoker. Over eat or eat normal portion sizes. The choice is ours and in a majority of cases we can only blame ourselves if the outcomes of our actions are not how we wanted them to be.

Don't make resolutions, make the right choices. Decide what you want and go for it!  While it may be easier to blame circumstances or others around us, that isn't the right choice. Start the New Year off right!

Gaston County as a Fit County

Gaston County is attempting to become one of three counties in the State of North Carolina designated as a "Fit" County. There are already two counties in North Carolina awarded with this distinction and there are multiple "Fit" Communities.

This distinction would allow the county to market itself to new residents and businesses alike, as a "Fit" County similarly to the "All-American" City designation. This would also allow the county to apply for funding that would allow for additional fitness programs in the county.

This, however, will not be an easy task. In order to obtain this distinction it will require many munincipalities to come together to collaborate and work toward this goal. It will require a total county effort and a lot of hard work, but the results will more than pay off in the end.

If you are interested in working on this project to better our entire county you can contact me at either gastoninc@bellsouth.net or by phone at (704) 864-4424.