I have slowed down a bit on my journey and am in need of some refueling so I decided to ask some friends who are health/physical exercise enthusiasts about ways to rejuvenate my motivation. Everyone overwhelmingly agrees that I need to change up my workouts. This week I attended a cardio funk dance class and bought a dance video from a consignment shop...maybe an oil change is what the doctor ordered.
~Vernita
P.S. I attended a meeting last week in the DC/Maryland area. I took a brisk walk in the airport during my layover and worked out in the hotel's gym to maintain my commitment of Choosing To Move.
I cannot stress how helpful family and friends have been to me on this journey in helping me to stay motivated and focused. When I find myself falling asleep at the wheel and swirving toward the median, my family and friends, in the form of angels, knudge me out of my slumber allowing me to quickly manuever the vehicle back on the road toward my destination.
Meet Margaret, Tina, and Marsha
~Vernita
The DDC Walking Team
l to r, Vernita, Margaret, Tina, and Marsha
This week marks the one month anniversary that the DDC (Decided, Determined, and Committed) Walking Team has been actively engaged in Choosing to Move for 30 minutes during the lunchtime hour, three to four days a week.
After we began walking as a team I asked Margaret, Tina, and Marsha what name should we give to ourselves and Marsha came up with the name Decided, Determined, and Committed. She said that they were lyrics in Smokie Norful's song, "Run 'til I'm Finished," and was appropriate for our group name and the lives of the participants in our group.
While planning this blog, I asked the DDCs to reply to two questions:
1) Why are you walking/exercising?
2) What do you hope to accomplish by Choosing To Move?
Their responses follow…
I met Warren at the gym when I began Choose To Move in March 2007. Warren retired a few years ago but agreed to work part-time at the gym during the a.m. hours for the semester. Following my workouts we would often chat about the challenges and benefits of exercise, eating heart-healthy foods, and current events.
At the end of the semester when Warren informed me that he would not be working at the gym during the summer months (and the Fall semester) but would be fishing in Lake Michigan (as he does every summer) I couldn't help but to ask him if he ever caught any salmon during his fishing escapades. He told me that he always caught a "boat load" of salmon. How do you think I responded to his reply? What do you think was my next question? Bullseye!
Enroute from Michigan while heading to visit his son and daughter in Colorado, Warren stopped in Iowa and surprised me with some salmon. I even took a picture of the King Salmon that Warren caught in Lake Michigan near the city of Manistee, MI.
~Vernita
Surrounding myself with a Solid Support System, eating Heart-healthy foods, Choosing To Move, Getting Back Up after I Fall, and maintaining Focus and Consistency have all played key roles in this journey.
October 5, 2007 - 197.6 lbs
March 5, 2007 - 250 lbs
Since the beginning of my journey 7 months ago and not less than 90% of the time, I have been in the company of Genevieve and Albert during my 6:00 A.M. workout at the gym.
Posts
At the end of any journey, it’s always nice to reflect on the experience and enjoy the exhilaration that comes with accomplishment. During the past 12 weeks, seven real women have opened their hearts and minds to women across the country. They’ve revealed struggles, shared empowering messages, offered valuable tips and served as genuine advocates for this program.
During the Choose To Move challenge, these women not only engaged in physical activity, they discovered a community of women who share a common goal – increase physical activity in order to develop a healthier lifestyle. Their success is a direct result of determination, commitment and the support they received from those in the Choose To Move community.
From a mom with three kids to a full-time college student to women in the workplace, our real women take on many important roles. And as women juggling multiple responsibilities, we want to be the best we can be - a common thread among women in America. However, in order to be the best for our families, we must do what’s best for ourselves. Our seven real women did exactly that! Each woman, in her own way, learned how to make time for physical activity and develop better eating habits!
For Ruann, Kara, Lisa, Melanie, Vernita, Kathleen and Zulema, the 12-week challenge has come to an end. However, the ultimate reality is that their life-long journey to maintain a healthy lifestyle has only begun. No matter where you are in this journey, I encourage you to rely on women in the Choose To Move community, as well as those around you. Take advantage of the Choose To Move program and turn this challenge into a way of life.
My total chol. is 184
HDL is 46
LDL is 106
Trig. is 184
I have been on a low fat, low carb diet since Sept (NutriSystem). Should I be concerm about my Trig?
Comment by on February 12, 2008 2:54 PMDr. Mieres,
I'm very much an internet girl. As soon as I found out I had high blood pressure, I found this site. After going through all the 'choose to move' selectees, I chose Vervita, for the reason that she update often and replied to those that posted comments.
Well here we are, 6 months later, most of those chosen have yet to update.
Considering these are all busy and accomplished women, perhaps some slack should be cut. Ok.
The forums are worse. I have had to hunt and peck to find true posts, some of which should be answered by a professional, not a jr. high social studies teacher.
I'm sorry to be so negative. In truth, AHA diet and recipes have made it possible that I may be coming off meds next week. My diet plan has been based on your cookbooks.
When I called in my numbers today, to get a refill, the office called me back and said the doctor said when I want, to stop meds for 4 days and make an appointment for the 5th. If bp is in the 100-120 range, we'll stop the meds. Woo hoo! Diet and exercise may pay off!
Comment by on June 12, 2008 8:17 PMDr. Mieres,
I'm very much an internet girl. As soon as I found out I had high blood pressure, I found this site. After going through all the 'choose to move' selectees, I chose Vervita, for the reason that she update often and replied to those that posted comments.
Well here we are, 6 months later, most of those chosen have yet to update.
Considering these are all busy and accomplished women, perhaps some slack should be cut. Ok.
The forums are worse. I have had to hunt and peck to find true posts, some of which should be answered by a professional, not a jr. high social studies teacher.
I'm sorry to be so negative. In truth, AHA diet and recipes have made it possible that I may be coming off meds next week. My diet plan has been based on your cookbooks.
When I called in my numbers today, to get a refill, the office called me back and said the doctor said when I want, to stop meds for 4 days and make an appointment for the 5th. If bp is in the 100-120 range, we'll stop the meds. Woo hoo! Diet and exercise may pay off!
Comment by on June 12, 2008 8:17 PM
