“Only in growth, reform and change, paradoxically enough, is true security to be found.”

                                                      -Anne Morrow Lindbergh

I have an apology to make. Unfortunately, I can be easily distracted at times and at other times there can be so much going on that I can be forgetful. So, to you, who have made so many valuable contributions and suggestions, and support the IFPA and me, if I have been negligent, distracted or forgetful, I am sorry and please forgive me.

One of the extremely valuable suggestions that you have made several times over the years has been for the IFPA to build a Success Stories section on the IFPA website. Thanks to you and all the insightful comments you have made on the Forum Section, I am once again reminded how valuable this section can be for you.

You have sent me many emails, letters and phone calls of the success you have had and often you have inspired me. Many of the FitBit articles I write, whether it is on fitness, nutrition, sports conditioning or motivation have been inspired by the questions and correspondence you have sent me. It is unforgivable that I have not made the effort to share the incredible success stories of the remarkable people that make up our IFPA community. Each and everyone of you have been robbed of the opportunity to gain the motivation, to experience the inspiration, and feel the joy expressed in the stories I have been so very fortunate to receive.

The brief introductions I made last week announcing the four remarkable fitness professionals and their achievements to win IFPA Faculty Instructor of the Year: David Sandler; IFPA Fitness Director of the Year: Jared Meacham; IFPA Personal Trainer of the Year: Francine Phelps and Joni Taddie-Pitcock: IFPA Group Fitness Instructor of the Year are a sample of the highly successful fitness professionals that make up our IFPA community.

It is essential that you have the opportunity to be motivated and inspired by the success stories of the members of our community. The IFPA Success Stories Section is now in place. You have both the opportunity to motivate and inspire others by submitting your success stories and to be motivated and inspired by reading the success stories of others. This IFPA Success Stories Section is for our members, by our members and made successful from the stories of our members. You can submit before and after pictures of yourself or the clients you train. You can write stories of the courage, dedication, discipline and perseverance to overcome obstacles and challenges that confronted you or your clients. You can share the successes and achievements from your life as well as the lives you have helped along the way.

You know the difficulties and negativity that day-to-day living often presents. You have the opportunity, through the IFPA Success Stories, to present the achievements and the positives that your career as a fitness professional has created. Use this section to create even greater good, by sharing the good you have previously created.

Sincerely,

Jim Bell, PhDc

President, IFPA

News:

Poll Question and Forum

 The IFPA apologizes for the technical difficulties with both the current Poll Question: “Should the IFPA prepare a “Pin-Up” Calendar to be sent to the Men and Women of our Armed Forces?” and the IFPA Forum section that crashed yesterday. Both sections are now up and operating and your vote on the Poll Question and your input on the Forum are both extremely important to the entire IFPA community. Please take time to VOTE and make your opinions known.

News on Nutrition:

FDA is Considering Changing Food Labeling Regulations

Many of you have already been through the IFPA Sports Nutrition Certification Course, for those that have not, one of the many subjects the course covers and clarifies is the misleading nuances of the current food labels. You can have input on the FDA’s decision by e-mailing your suggestions to the FDA at fdadockets@oc.fda.gov. If you have suggestions on calories, reference docket #2004N-0463. If you have suggestions on serving sizes, reference docket #2004N-0456.

News of IFPA Conference:

“Fitness By the Bay” Tampa, FL July 28-30, 2005

Check your calendars, the conference is 10 weeks away. Have you registered yet? Have you reserved your hotel room? Have you made airline or transportation reservations yet? Who are you bringing with you? Get it done today before you forget again – you don’t want to miss out. You are going to love this conference.

News of IFPA Conference:

IFPA University West Las Vegas, NV September 8-10, 2005

Check your calendar, the conference is 16 weeks away. Have you registered yet? Have you reserved your hotel room? Have you made airline or transportation reservations yet? Who are you bringing with you? Get it done today before you forget again – you don’t want to miss out. You are going to love this conference.