By 
October 29, 2026
The holiday season is here. Halloween candy is being handed out, Thanksgiving menus are taking shape and Santa cookies will soon fill kitchen counters.
Between family gatherings, favorite seasonal treats and busy holiday schedules, it’s easy to let everyday routines fall by the wayside. While the holidays are a time to enjoy the people and traditions that make the season special, they’re also a chance to find small ways to prioritize personal well-being.
Instead of waiting until January to get back into a routine, make movement part of the holiday season. That doesn’t mean skipping the sweet potato casserole or giving up a cup of hot cocoa. It means finding a balance that leaves room for seasonal traditions while making time for activities that help you feel your best.
At Huntsville Parks & Recreation, health and wellness look different for everyone. For some, that might mean strength training at the gym. For others, it could be a game of basketball, a group fitness class or a simple walk. The goal isn’t to follow one perfect routine. It’s to find ways to stay active that fit your life and give you something to look forward to.
The people behind the programs
Tania Jessie, Wellness & Fitness Programmer at Johnson Legacy Center, and Allie Chambers, Wellness & Fitness Programmer at Sandra Moon Community Complex, do just that. Although their paths to fitness careers look different, both discovered their work is often so much more than exercise.
For Chambers, the realization came while she was teaching art. After reflecting on the moments in her life when she felt happiest, she began to notice a pattern.
“All three of the times revolved around fitness,” shared Chambers. “Playing basketball, karate – they were all about fitness.”
Chambers then answered a calling that she hadn’t fully acknowledged. She became a personal trainer and, years later, continues to help others discover all that movement can offer.
Jessie took a different path. Although sports had always been part of her life, she didn’t initially see herself in that space. It wasn’t until she completed a college internship at a gym that her perspective changed.
She found she enjoyed applying what she’d learned at school to real people and helping them work toward their goals. For both, the most rewarding part of their jobs is building relationships and understanding that progress looks different for everyone.
“We need to think of the whole person as a human first,” Jessie said.
Wellness & Fitness programmers Allie Chambers and Tania Jessie
Wellness for you
That philosophy carries into their advice for anyone hoping to prioritize wellness. Rather than attempting to completely change overnight, the programmers encourage people to start with manageable habits, like getting the right amount of sleep, drinking more water or finding just 30 minutes a day to move.
Fitness can feel like an all-or-nothing deal but lasting change often comes from the basics. A missed workout or a holiday treat does not erase progress, and routines are not one-size-fits-all.
“You have to forgive yourself, you have to give yourself grace and not get into that shame bubble. And then get back up,” Chambers said.
Take the first step
If you’re not sure where to start, Parks & Recreation offers many opportunities to explore fitness in a supportive environment. Through services like personal training, group exercise classes and fitness orientations, residents can find guidance that fits their goals.
View Parks & Recreation’s health & wellness offerings, including fitness orientations and memberships at Johnson Legacy and Sandra Moon Community Complex.
