By Pyc Fitness
©2004-2008
taying physically fit has always been important to Stephanie Rhodes, and she's committed to encouraging others to make fitness a priority in their own lives.
Rhodes and her four children moved to Silverhill a little over a year ago. Her husband, Don, moved down a year earlier for a job with Daphne High School, but Rhodes had to stay with their home in Birmingham until it sold. Recently, her husband made a job change, now serving as a training officer with the 161st Army unit in Mobile.
A couple of months ago, the homeschool mom was led down some new paths. Rhodes, who received her bachelor's and master's degrees in physical education, now teaches a homeschool P.E. class for teens and works with homeschool moms in a "Commit 2 Fit" program. Rhodes is also a distributor for Advocare nutritional products.
Rhodes also joined a neighbor in starting an embroidery business, something new for her. But her main focus is fitness.
"I believe God has given us this one body -- a temple of the Holy Spirit -- and it's our responsibility to take care of it," Rhodes said.
The program began when Rhodes started seeing a need for moms to start realizing that it's OK to take care of themselves, just like they take care of others. The mothers walk together several times a week, attend regular meetings and learn about healthy lifestyle habits.
"All moms need to take care of themselves. They put themselves at the end of the line," Rhodes said. "There's a lot of dragging moms who need encouragement and to know that they are cared for and that it's OK to take care of themselves."
Sports were a big part of Rhodes' growing-up years. "I was a tomboy and played every sport available to me," Rhodes said. In college, she played volleyball and softball.
The fitness graduate moved to Birmingham and worked in the fitness industry for seven years, with an emphasis in sports medicine, before leaving to run a neuromuscular massage therapy business for 13 years.
As for her own fitness, Rhodes walks three to five days a week, followed by a calisthenics program. She also jumps in with the kids during P.E. classes.
Silverhill has brought some great changes for the family, Rhodes said. The main one involves having room for their "mini farm," which consists of three horses, three dogs, one cat, two rabbits and eight chickens.
First and foremost in Rhodes' life is her relationship with God, and she focuses on spending time with Him every day. Her relationships with her husband, family and friends are also of utmost importance, she said.
"I want to know how to serve anyone God puts me in contact with, and I have to spend time with Him to know how to do that," Rhodes said. "The bottom line is to be in His will."