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 FITNESS FITNESS 

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HEALTHY LIVINGHEALTHY LIVING

Mountain Views-News SATURDAY, JUNE 26, 2025

UNLOCK YOUR LIFE


HOW AI CAN HELP YOU GET 
FIT


Michele Silence, M.A. is a 37-year certified fitness 

professional who offers semi-private/virtual fitness 
classes. Contact Michele at michele@kid-fit.
com. Visit her Facebook page at: michelesfitness 
Visit her Facebook page at: michelesfitness.

THE GETTY CENTER WAKE UP CALL:

When One Moment Changes Everything

If you think artificial intelligence (AI) is only for computer 
geeks or funny TikTok videos, think again. AI can actually 
help you get fitter, stay motivated, and even understand 
yourself better. It’s like having a trainer, coach, and cheerleader 
all in one. And it’s available anytime, for free, right on 
your phone or laptop. You don’t even need to know coding or 
be a tech whiz. If you can type a question, you can use AI to 
help improve your fitness.

Here are some surprising ways AI can give you a boost.

1. Get a Workout That’s Truly Made for You

Most online workout plans are cookie-cutter: Day 1 legs, Day 
2 arms, Day 3 cardio. That works for some people, but not 
everyone. Maybe you’ve had a hip replacement. Maybe you 
hate push-ups. Maybe you only have 20 minutes a day. With 
AI, you can tell it exactly what you need, and it will design a 
workout around you. It won’t complain if you want to adjust 
things, either.

Try typing this into ChatGPT: “Make me a 20-minute strength workout I can do at home. I only 
have dumbbells and I want to avoid push-ups because they hurt my shoulder.” You’ll get a routine 
built for your body and your situation, not someone else’s.

2. Break Through Mental Barriers

Most people fail at fitness because their brain gets in the way. Motivation fades. Life gets busy. We 
procrastinate.

AI can help by spotting patterns in the way you talk about workouts. If you type, “I keep skipping 
the gym after work,” it might suggest trying a short morning routine instead. Or if you admit, “I 
always quit after two weeks,” it can offer strategies to build small, lasting habits.

Try asking: “Why do I always quit my workouts after two weeks? What are some mental tricks 
to help me stay consistent?” The advice won’t be judgmental. It’s like having a friend who always 
listens and then gives practical solutions.

3. Keep Things Fresh and Fun

Doing the same workout over and over is boring. AI can be your “idea machine.” It can give you a 
new circuit, a different style of training, or even suggest fitness trends you’ve never heard of, like 
“weighted vest walking” or “tread and tone workouts.”

Try asking:

“Give me three fun workout ideas I can try this week if I only have 30 minutes each day.” You’ll 
get fresh options to keep your body—and your brain—engaged.

4. Smarter Nutrition Help

Forget fad diets and rigid meal plans. AI can look at what you already like to eat and suggest 
small changes to make it healthier.

For example, if you type:

“I love burgers and fries. Give me healthier versions I can make at home without giving them up.”

It might suggest a veggie burger on a whole grain bun with oven-baked sweet potato fries. Same 
taste, better fuel. AI is great at creating shopping lists, quick recipes, counting calories and helping 
with portion control. 

6. Special Help for Special Populations

Some people feel left out of the fitness world—older adults, beginners, people with injuries, or 
anyone with health conditions. AI can create workouts that are safe and doable for your body.

Example: “Make me a gentle 15-minute routine to improve balance and strength. I’m 70 years old 
and I have arthritis in my knees.” Instead of getting a generic bootcamp-style workout, you’ll get 
something designed to help, not hurt, you.

7. Your 24/7 Fitness Assistant

Day or night, AI is always available. Stuck at work? It can give you a five-minute “desk stretch” 
routine. Feeling tired? It can suggest a low-energy workout instead of pushing you to skip exercise 
completely.

Try: “I only have 10 minutes and no energy. Give me a workout that will make me feel better 
without exhausting me.” This is where AI shines. It gives you options that fit into your real life.

AI isn’t here to replace trainers or doctors. But it can be a powerful tool to make fitness more personal, 
more fun, and more realistic. All you have to do is type in what you need, be honest about 
your situation, and let AI do the heavy lifting when it comes to planning and motivation.

So the next time you feel stuck, don’t scroll social media looking for the “perfect” workout. Just 
open ChatGPT and ask. You might be surprised at how much easier getting fit becomes when 
you’ve got AI in your corner.

My thirties passed in a haze. Like many of you, I was consumed 
with the urgent demands of motherhood and career advancement. 
I found that raising my daughter while climbing the pro-fessional 
ladder left little room for anything else, especially myself. Those 
years blurred together in a parade of survival mode days where 
my only goals were staying clean and covering my bits.

Then came the wake-up call I didn’t know I needed.

I was invited to the private opening celebration of the new Getty Center, an exclusive, 
glamorous event that should have been a highlight. The Italian travertine stone gift, the 
exquisite catering, the sophisticated entertainment, it was everything I thought I wanted 
to be part of. When CBS News interviewed me about the experience, I spoke eloquently 
about what a wonderful addition the Getty was to the City of Los Angeles.

But when I saw the footage later, I was mortified. The woman on screen looked like she had 
completely given up. I was essentially wearing glorified pajamas to one of the city’s most 
prestigious cultural events. That moment of seeing myself through the camera’s unforgiving 
lens was devastating, and transformative.

That night, I made a vow that would reshape my entire life: I would never again neglect 
myself so completely.

The changes started small but were revolutionary. I began exercising and eating with intention. 
I gave careful thought to how I adorned my body, not for others, but as an act of 
self-respect and joy. This wasn’t about vanity, it was about honoring the life I was living.

Today, even working from home, you might find me in a blazer and pearls paired with a 
com-fortable t-shirt. I’ve fallen in love with jewelry and perfume. These aren’t frivolous 
indulgences; they’re part of my daily practice of choosing to love my life.

The truth is, how we care for ourselves, our hair, our skin, our daily presentation to the 
world, reflects how we feel about the life we’re living. When I dress with intention each 
morning, I’m making a statement: this day matters, I matter, and I’m going to show up 
fully for my life.

This philosophy extends beyond appearance. It’s about treating each day as “a lifetime in 
minia-ture”, complete with its own beginning, middle, and end, deserving of our full attention 
and care. It’s about waking up to the reality that we have one precious life, and every 
single day is an op-portunity to honor that gift.

The Getty Center moment taught me that we can’t sleepwalk through our lives and expect 
to feel fulfilled. We must actively choose to engage, to care, to show up, first for ourselves, 
then for everyone else who depends on us.

Your turn: What’s your wake-up call moment? I’d love to hear how you practice loving your 
life daily. Share your story with me at and join the conversation on my website. Let’s inspire 
each other to unlock the extraordinary in our ordinary days.

Lori A. Harris

ALL THINGS by Jeff Brown

THE SPIKY TREE WITH PINK FLOWERS

The silk floss tree (Ceiba speciosa)is a 
striking ornamental tree native to South 
America, particularly Brazil, Argentina, 
and Paraguay. Belonging to the Malvaceae 
family, it is closely related to kapok 
and baobab trees. Known for its unusual 
trunk w/spikes, vibrant flowers, and 
dramatic seasonal changes, it is widely 
cultivated in subtropical and warm temperate 
regions around the world.

One of the most distinctive features 
of the silk floss tree is its trunk. When 
young, the trunk is green and photosynthetic, 
often covered with sharp conical 
spines that help deter herbivores. As the 
tree matures, the bark becomes gray and 
furrowed, though many spines remain. 
Mature trees can reach 50–65 feet in height 
with a broad, spreading canopy. The trunk 
also acts as a water reservoir, enabling the 
tree to withstand dry conditions.

The foliage consists of palmate, compound 
leaves with 5–7 leaflets. In many regions, 
the tree is deciduous, shedding leaves in the 
dry season just before flowering. Its most 
spectacular attribute is its large, hibiscus-
like flowers, which bloom in late summer 
through fall. These blossoms are typically 
pink, lavender, or purple with creamy or 
yellowish throats, although color variations 
exist. The flowers are rich in nectar and attract 
pollinators such as bees, butterflies, 
and hummingbirds.

After flowering, the tree produces large, 
woody seed capsules. When mature, these pods split open to reveal silky, cotton-like fibers 
that surround the seeds. This floss, similar to that of the kapok tree, inspired the tree’s 
common name. While not commonly used in modern textiles, the fiber has historically 
been used for stuffing cushions, mattresses, and life jackets because of its buoyancy and 
resistance to water.

Ecologically, the silk floss tree provides nectar for pollinators and shelter for various bird 
species. In cultivation, it is valued for its drought tolerance once established, though it prefers 
well-drained soils and full sun. It can be sensitive to frost, which restricts its range in 
colder climates.

Beyond its ecological and ornamental appeal, the silk floss tree carries cultural significance 
in parts of South America, where it is admired for its beauty and resilience. In urban landscapes, 
it is planted along streets, in parks, and as a specimen tree for its dramatic seasonal 
display. With its thorn-studded trunk, flamboyant flowers, and silky seed floss, the silk 
floss tree stands out as one of the most remarkable and decorative trees of the tropics and 
subtropics.


Mountain Views News 80 W Sierra Madre Blvd. No. 327 Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024 Office: 626.355.2737 Fax: 626.609.3285 Email: editor@mtnviewsnews.com Website: www.mtnviewsnews.com