Physical Activity

Department of Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities

Turning 50 was going to be a rough one. As it approached, I wanted to accomplish something completely out of my wheelhouse.

Over dinner one night with friends who also had milestone birthdays of 40 and 60 that same year, we concocted an outrageous plan to run a half marathon in September of that next milestone year.

Why not? How bad could it be? All of us had volunteered at the Covenant marathon several times and saw many different people of all ages, shapes and sizes cross that finish line!

The kicker was that none of us were runners…. ever.

We began our training in earnest in January of that year, outfitted with some pretty expensive running shoes and socks and a training guide we looked up on the internet.

I will spare you the boring and monotonous details of all the miles in the freezing cold, oppressive heat and occasional rain. We all put in the miles and vowed that all of us should run our own races and not wait for each other no matter what.

In September, all three of us lined up at 6:30 a.m. to begin the Great Smoky Mountain Half Marathon, 13.1 miles.

A 40-year-old, 50-year-old and a 60-year-old stayed together the entire course and slowly but surely made our way to the finish line.

It was a feeling like no other.

We all felt such joy with this accomplishment.

My takeaways:

You can do anything you set your mind to.

Surround yourself with good people and the rest is magic.

Buy the good shoes.

Try not to be upset when a 70-year-old and a pregnant mom pushing twins in a stroller passes you right before the finish line.

Department of Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities

I got up to 195 pounds. Being diabetic, that's not healthy, so I decided to make a change so that I can live a longer life and be around to see my grandchildren. I started walking four to five miles a day. I'm now walking five to six miles and sometimes up to eight miles. I am now down to 149.2 pounds. I have lost 45.8 pounds. My husband is good about helping me meet my goals. He will start dinner so I can complete my steps.

I started slowly, staying under 1500 calories and walking every day. I love participating in all of the Working for a Healthier TN challenges. It is very motivating for me. I like competing and getting others to compete.

I have learned that I am stronger than I thought I was and I can do anything that I set my mind to.

Department of Agriculture

I had three goals and they were simple: finish the race, run the whole way and don’t throw up.

Prior to my first half marathon, I had only ever run two 5Ks that were less about training and more about survival. Confession: I’ve never actually enjoyed running. I’ve been known to pound the pavement from time to time when I need to burn some excess energy. And I keep hearing rumors of that ‘runner’s high.’ As of yet, the only thing I’ve ever felt after a run is a strong desire to sit down.

That all changed in early February when my cousins emailed me with details of a race along the coast of Maine. They were running the full marathon and a quick Google search revealed that I had just enough time to train for a half marathon. Having never been to Maine before, I figured that was a good reason to go.

That Google search also produced the adage, ‘If you can run three miles, you can run 13.1.’ I didn’t really, truly believe that. But I like doing stuff that’s hard. I figured it was worth a shot.

Following a basic 13-week novice training plan that I found online, the distances slowly built up. My speed never actually improved. A 12- to 13-minute mile is pretty typical for me, which is quite slow. Those three simple goals kept me moving despite bad weather, illness and general feelings of I’d-Rather-Be-Doing-Anything-Else.

On May 11, I found myself surrounded by 2,999 people I had never met before, at a starting line in a city I had never been to before, about to do something I had never done before. Just short of three hours later, I crossed the finish line, having run the entire way and without (thank goodness) throwing up.

Still no runner’s high. But the people were so nice, the scenery was gorgeous, and salt and vinegar potato chips taste AMAZING after you’ve spent almost three hours sweating to death. I’ll also never forget the lady who hollered “GET IT GIRL!!!” at the end as I was sprinting toward the finish. I heard that. I needed it.

I’m slow. But I did it.

Next race: Great Smoky Mountains Half Marathon, September 7.

Department of Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities

I had my annual physical on July 3, 2013 and realized I had gained 36 pounds over a three-year period. My blood pressure was high, and I had not had problems with that before. The doctor said it was probably because of my weight gain. We also realized that, based on my labs, I had gone into early menopause. All these factors had my metabolism in slow motion. I left my doctor’s office and found a personal trainer that day.

My fitness goal when I met with my personal trainer was to lose the weight I had gained. My trainer informed me that I was not eating as often as I should or the combination of fats, protein and carbohydrates that I should to ignite my metabolism. I started to eat every three to four hours per day. I measured/weighed all of my food for the proper portions. I lifted weights four days a week and did cardio five to six days a week. My body started to change. My trainer asked if I was in a hurry to lose the weight. Initially I said yes, but that changed as he explained about losing body fat versus concentrating on the numbers on the scale. He also realized I knew how to lift weights and asked if I had lifted before. I told him I had been lifting since college. He also asked if I had ever thought about entering a fitness competition. I informed him that I was training for a competition in 1991 when my then husband and discovered I was pregnant. After I had the baby, I just lifted weights to look good. I thought I was 45 and too old to think about competing. But I thought about it and discussed it with my young adult sons and they wanted me to go for it. I have competed in four shows placing in every show. I became a certified personal trainer in 2014.

I love the fact that I’m 50 years old and do not take any medications. My blood pressure and lab work have been great. I enjoy meal prepping and getting up at 4:45 a.m. to workout. Also, I enjoy training others to reach their goals. I’ve learned that only I can stop me from obtaining my goal.

My favorite part of Working for a Healthier TN is the accountability that it brings – co-workers holding each other accountable and being a buddy to encourage each other.

Department of Health

On May 4 I participated in my first “long mile” cycling event, Tour de Nash. It was 25 miles in Nashville. I had recently started training to do some bike rides when a former co-worker and friend was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer. I knew I wanted to ride for her. She passed away in February, so riding in her memory was something I knew I had to do. I began with riding around my neighborhood beginning with short distances. Once winter months hit, I knew I needed to continue to ride so I invested in an indoor trainer for my bike. Utilizing that, as well as outdoor biking, helped to increase my mileage a little at a time.

Since my first ride for my friend in May, I have taken up another challenge in Cycle4Chiari in honor of another friend. Cycling doesn’t only offer health benefits. It has given me an outlet to help others.