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…
Margaret’s reply:
Q. Why are you walking/exercising?
A. I want to be healthy; I want to look good and feel good; and I enjoy the company a lot!!
Q. What do you hope to accomplish by Choosing To Move
A. I want to lose 5% of my current weight in six months and lose about 4 inches around my waist. Also, I would like to reduce the risk of hypertension and other illnesses related to lack of exercise and stay healthy as I age.
Tina’s reply:
Q. Why are you walking/exercising?
A. I want the "outside me" to reflect the healthy, vibrant, and empowered "inside me"! Exercising with this group of supportive women is a wonderful and exciting way to achieve this goal!
Q. What do you hope to accomplish by Choosing To Move
A. I know I will have reached my goals when I am happy, fit, comfortable in my clothes and able to show the world who I really am.
Marsha’s reply:
Q. Why are you walking/exercising?
A. Overall, to have a healthier lifestyle. I'm working on mind, body, and spirit in my life, and walking with DDC and exercising with my family, or on my own, is helping me to holistically improve in all of these areas.
Q. What do you hope to accomplish by Choosing To Move
A. I want to: (1) get off of my blood pressure medication! (too young to be starting that stuff : ) (2) have a better mental and spiritual as well as physical outlook on my life (which has been working already : ) and (3) have a leaner and firmer body (not necessarily loose pounds, but it would be nice to shed at least 10-15 lbs : )
While on our walk today I asked the team if they had taken any "before" pictures so that they can have a pictoral record of their progress. "Before," "during," and "after" pictures can help provide some motivation for working toward and maintaining your goals. A Picture IS Worth 1,000,000 Words.
"Before" taken in December 2006, and "during" taken on October 14, 2007.
~Vernita
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
Comments
Oct 17 | Oneda said …
Hello Miss "V",
With the three friends, I know you all will remain DDC. Keep up the good work and keep on moving. You look great and I pray you feel great.
Love,
Dad & Mom
Oct 17 | Vernita said …
Hello Dad & Mom,
I am having a remarkable experience "moving" during the noon hour with these amazing ladies. We share, vent, explore the campus, laugh, and are "keeping Healthy in our lives" by Choosing To Move.
Thanks for the kudos...I feel strong, energetic, and healthy.
Much love,
~Vernita
Nov 14 | Monique said …
1) Why are you walking/exercising?
I am walking and exerecising to reach my fitness potential and personal weight goal as a LIFETIME change.
2) What do you hope to accomplish by Choosing To Move?
I hope to accomplish a new daily regimen with exercise. I never have been described as fit. I know that I shouldn't be focused about a number on the scale; however, I desire to loose 30lbs in six months.
Dec 12 | Helen said …
Hi Vernita, I opted to 'Choose to Move' with you! We have about the same BMI & weight to lose, or at least we did, - judging by your photo you've already lost a lot of weight & gained some muscle. Go girl, looking good!
I want to lose an average of 2#s per week and establish a much healthier & consistant eating regime. I don't have a buddy system yet, but I'm going to work on that too, ie, not being so isolated. For now I'm going to walk 30 minutes each day.
Bye for now Vernita, look forward to following your progress.
Best wishes, Helen
Dec 14 | Vernita said …
Hello Helen,
Thanks for the well wishes.
I am excited that you have decided to join us on this journey. WOW! Your goals are very ambitious. I noticed that in the beginning of my transition toward "healthy living" that the pounds melted pretty quickly. Right now I am in "plateau world" so I know that in order to continue melting away to my goal I will have to change my routine.
In March 2007 I set a goal of working out 30 minutes a day and 3 days a week - I felt that this was an achievable goal. And from there I gradually increased the number of days and the amount of workout time.
Listening to your body and setting achievable goals will help you with consistency and ultimately staying positive and motivated!!
Keep me posted on your progress and congratulations on your BIG LEAP FORWARD!
~Vernita
Jan 14 | Claire said …
Hi Vernita! I chose to "move like you" because you seem to have a really Positive Outlook! And then your first email post from your parents set a wonderful tone, too. How special to have such a supportive family.
My journey has been a long one. Currently, I am working from home, as a budding artist after 30 years of teaching preschoolers. SO, I feel VERY isolated at times. Making connections with others is so helpful to me, and keeps me motivated. I'm glad I found this program. I want to lose 15 pounds (lost 60 lbs. 5 yrs. ago, but have stayed at this weight since) My blood pressure has risen recently and I need to get active! Thanks for your Motivation! Great to see your success. Peace, ~Claire
Jan 15 | Vernita said …
Hello Claire,
This journey would not have been the same without the love, prayers, encouragement, and support from my parents. When I mentally and verbally "knock" myself down they verbally and prayerfully "counterattack my attack" with reason and guidance. There are no words and no expressions that can come close to defining their involvement on my Choose To Move journey and other life travels. I said in a previous Blog and I will repeat here that I am a clone of my parents...my Positive Outlook is due to them.
In addition to the tireless support of my parents, I would be remiss if I did not acknowledge the impact that involvement from my other family members and friends has also played. They have "kept it real" all along the way for this "Choose To Mover."
Congratulations on your retirement and on your new career!!! Artsy people are so fun and creative. As I was reading your comment I was wondering if you ever participated or volunteered at any arts festivals...hmmmm.
Claire, I know what you mean by plateau. I am there and have been since October. My plan is to reconnect with my personal trainer for 3-5 sessions(I had 5 sessions with Angela in April) and "pick my cardio up a notch." You've done SO WELL to maintain your 60lb loss for 5 years and I know that YOU'LL DO IT AGAIN!
~ Vernita
Jan 28 | Renee said …
Hi Vernita:
Good for you on your weight loss and your DDC team. I've added your site to my favorites and will continue to monitor your progress - and mine.
Renee
Jan 28 | Vernita said …
Thank you, Renee.
The DDC is currently involved in the Lighten Up Iowa Challenge,
http://www.lightenupiowa.org/aspx/corp_overview.aspx. It is GREAT to be able to "MOVE" with like-minded encouraging individuals.
Keep me posted on your progress.
~ Vernita
Feb 19 | glenda roberson said …
Hi Vernita i cant believe how good you look i havent visited the site lately. I have been dealing with a loss. My brother-in-law in natchitoches died 2 weeks ago of a massive heart attack at 51 years old what a shock that was to all of the family and a wake of call to me and i hope to others.I have started my dalily walks to help with the weightloss and high blood pressure and diabetes. Thanks for listening.
Feb 19 | Vernita said …
Hello Glenda,
I was sorry to hear about your brother-in-law. My prayers are with you and your family.
I spoke with my Mom today and she told me that they were co-workers (prior to her retirement). Your actions by beginning a walking problem is such an honor to the legacy your brother-in-law leaves.
Too often we all are passionate about something after an emotional event occurs and soon lose our drive over time. Glenda, you are the one who can defy this myth by continuing your program and bringing health back into your life. Don’t let your current feelings and motivations vanish over time; be a vessel of health-hope for your family and friends.
You can do it ! The time is NOW!
~ Vernita
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