Duluth Merchants and City Shape Up for 2012

It's 2012, and you are full of hope! You're excited! You have things to go, places to see, and people to do. But... is your flesh as willing as your spirit? Can you keep up with your goals, maintain a constant pace and finish strong? We're not just talking about your libido here. We're talking about your business goals, educational development, family and social connections, and opportunities about which you are passionate.

Members of the Duluth Merchants Association, including several Duluth City officials, and guests, came together at the monthly DMA networking and business meeting recently at Planet Fitness. The January theme was appropriately labeled "shape up your business and your body." We thought that to optimize our 2012 fiscal fitness goals as well as achieve our personal lifestyle goals, that our level of physical fitness would either positively help or negatively hinder us. Since the obvious choice here is for the positive view, DMA decided to form a new committee to develop a health, fitness and recreation focus, utilizing the leadership skills of DMA members, including health-minded business nuts and city top bananas.

DMA members and guests were motivated to get more physically fit by Keith Bryant of Planet Fitness, who discussed the affordable fitness services his facility offers.

Members and guests had their taste buds tantalized as Robert and Sandy Andrews, owners of the local Duluth Smoothie King, provided information and tastings of their nutrition-oriented beverages that offer weight loss and/or general health benefits.

And finally, members and guests were inspired listening to Tim Simmons, manager of Sports Medicine Services of Gwinnett Medical Center in Duluth regarding the assistance the center provides to youth and other athletes with sports injuries. The center “helps all athletes prevent injury, heal, manage pain, and get off the sidelines sooner.”

The new DMA Health, Fitness & Recreation Committee is in the works. The idea is to turn the word "exercise" into the word "play" and make it fashionable...to lead by example, and encourage the community to join in and think more about health and fitness as part of a fun, positive lifestyle.

We ask that you dig out your walking, tennis, running, and dancing shoes, dust off your bicycles, find your Frisbee, basketball and golf clubs, and be ready to join us for the fun of it. Stay tuned...showing at a playground near you.