Healthy changes result of program
Oct. 11, 2002
When I joined the Choose to Move program, I wrote about how I would not fail in front of more than 100,000 readers.
Shortly after that, one of my reporters asked, "What if you do fail?" I guess failure is a matter of perspective.
If you measure success by the amount of weight I've lost since beginning the program, then you can call me a failure. As of the last meeting Wednesday, I had only lost about five pounds.
But if you measure it by the changes I've made since beginning the program, then I'd consider myself a huge success.
Choose to Move has been a catalyst for many changes in my life. Since beginning the program: I found a walking partner and wonderful friend with whom I walk when our schedules coincide; I joined a 12-week swimming class at the Sitrin's Wellness Center; I recently joined Weight Watchers and am doing really well; I went to the doctor for the painful plantar fasciitis in my feet that I ignored for two months; I had a stress test and an EKG that told me my heart is fine, but I'm out of shape (which I already knew!).
Plus the program taught me a great deal about many diseases that are associated with being overweight -- heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, stroke. I already knew about the risks, but now I am a little more educated. Hopefully, so are you.
Now that the program is over, I know I can't stop moving. I have to stay focused on my health, which also is what my doctor told me after the stress test.
Dick Mattia, executive director of the Heart Association, said the program was designed to help people who needed motivation getting started on an exercise program. For me, the program served its purpose.
He said now it's time to move on to the next step. What does that mean for me? I'll be setting new goals. The possibilities are limitless. Maybe the Boilermaker again. Who knows, maybe a marathon.
We all can do just about anything once we set our minds to it.
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