The term New Year’s resolution seems almost synonymous with the term getting in shape. A quick Google search reveals that losing weight or becoming fit tops nearly every list of popular 2011 resolutions. Some people have no trouble hitting the gym or the pavement before work or on lunch hours, but those aren’t the kind of people needing resolutions. Fitness resolutions are generally made by those who cringe while thinking about the relentless motion of the treadmill or shudder at the thought of skin-hugging, muffin-top revealing spandex shorts.
Enter Carol Sele.
During 2008 and 2009, Sele opened UnSizeMe Fitness and Wellness in Oak Harbor, a center that takes a holistic approach to fitness. Though there are multiple gyms on the island, UnSizeMe’s exercise philosophy aims to be different.
“I felt there was a need to reach out to the every day people who could get fit without punishing their bodies and harshly restricing their diets,” Sele said. “UnSizeMe begins with celebrating your body right where it is and finding what you love to do instead of beating yourself up with the all-or-nothing approach.”
The UnSizeMe facility has traditional workout equipment and offers hot yoga, private couples or individual yoga classes, massages, motivational speaking, dance exercise classes and personal training among other features.
On Jan. 17, Sele is launching a 10-week transformation program. The first week will start with a message from a motivational speaker, a weigh-in, a short workout and a question-and-answer session. Participants who sign up alone will be paired with a partner to encourage their progress (the buddy system) and will receive motivational emails throughout the process.
Sele moved to Whidbey Island from Southern California eight years ago to be closer to her parents who retired here. While in California, she owned a company called Platinum Personal Trainers and two wellness centers called Bodycare. When she moved to Whidbey, she became the fitness director for Naval Air Station Whidbey Island but left in August 2009 to focus all her energy on UnSizeMe.
Cindy van Dijk, one of Sele’s clients, has been following Sele for nearly six years and said it’s been life-changing.
“So many diet and exercise programs come and go, but the UnSizeMe concept is different and, in contrast to a fad, can easily become a lifestyle change and focus,” van Dijk said. “My yoga mates come from all different backgrounds, sizes and we each have our own health issues. Some of us have had cancer, knee replacements, hip replacements, been pregnant, etc., but she helps us not only in rehabilitation or getting, staying in shape, but in learning to live with ourselves and our challenges where we are.”
More information on Sele’s offerings and the upcoming transformation program can be found online at www.unsizeme.com.
According to van Dijk, Sele can make the fitness resolution seem a bit less daunting.
“Her focus is on health and wellness, which doesn’t mean you have to run marathons or win triathalons,” she said. “It’s all about being healthy where you are and inspires you to make changes with realistic diet and exercise suggestions to help you do the work you need to to get there.”
Who knows, maybe 2011 will finally be the year of the skinny jeans.
