Barbara Ploeger REC NOTES
Customarily we talk about fitness at the start of a new year — in the context of what we can do to produce a new "us" for the next year (most commonly as a by-product of our holiday partying). With 2013 drawing to a close, I thought it would be fun to poll our B in the Loop subscribers asking how fitness has helped them over the past year.
I appreciate the candid responses received from "real" people dealing with real-life situations who have made fitness a part of their lives. Today I'm sharing some of their inspiring words with you, confident that someone, somewhere will identify with and gain courage and inspiration from them for the coming year.
"I am a member of the (Paul Derda Recreation Center). I had a total knee replacement about a year ago and it has not healed properly. In addition, I need the other knee replaced, but the doctors want to find out what is happening with the original surgery before doing the other knee. ... I am overweight with borderline high blood pressure and am diagnosed as pre-diabetic. The only way I have been able to control my medical conditions is with diet and exercise. The exercise was walking, until the knees prevented that. My salvation is the upper body ergometer (UBE or hand bike) available at Paul Derda. It allows me get aerobic exercise without the use of my legs. It has been an invaluable instrument in my ongoing medical treatment."
We have a huge active adult population (60 and older) using our facilities, people who are a force to be reckoned with for certain. One of them stated, "I regularly attend Silver Sneaker exercise classes at the Senior Center. I'm convinced that's a major reason I'm able to function 'normally' despite my age (80s)."
And this is from a mom:
"After my second baby was born in September 2012, I weighed more than I'd ever weighed in my life at 215 pounds. I began trying to get back in shape by signing up for the Holiday Meltdown. By the last class I was down eight whole pounds. I had attended stroller classes after my first was born and started them again. I loved the instructor and being able to bring babies to class, but I could barely run a mile. Once I felt comfortable, I started doing 'stroller class' on my own, when I couldn't make it during the offered time. It was a little tough to get around the track if it was busy, but it worked, because people were so accommodating of the stroller.
"Fitness became a part of my daily/weekly life, and now I weigh 135 pounds only a year later. Without the family-friendly environment and motivational instructors and staff at PDRC, I don't think I could've achieved this great accomplishment. I'm so happy that PDRC is in Broomfield and I couldn't imagine this community without it."
And these from others:
"This past year, a regular exercise routine has helped me stay in shape and feel great. Several years ago I lost over 50 pounds. I now ... run and bike on streets and paths around Broomfield to maintain my weight and clothing size. ... I appreciate having paths to run on and streets to ride on safely."
"I do not usually respond to these things, but I felt compelled, because fitness in 2013 was actually a really big deal to me. I've always been an active person and played sports while growing up. For about three or so years I've been more committed to the Paul Derda Rec Center to build muscle and lose the baby weight I had gained after being pregnant. I never really had a goal weight. The only goal I had was to stay fit, healthy and feel good.
"In 2013, I got divorced and was laid off from my job (unrelated incidences, but within just a couple of months of each other). Using my affordable membership and routinely coming to the Paul Derda Rec Center for exercise classes, such as Ultimate Fitness, Turbo Kick, Piloxing and BodyStep, not only kept me in shape and healthy, but also gave me focus. It was something I could do to get my mind off of things and have an outlet for my emotions. Additionally, I saw familiar faces, which became friendly faces and soon I was being asked 'how are you doing?' and 'how did your interview go?'
"Paul Derda Rec Center gave me not only a place to go but a support system to rely on; 2013 has been challenging, but uplifting at the same time. I can do this."
I couldn't have stated it better. Happy new year to all of you.
Barbara Ploeger is the marketing specialist for Broomfield Recreation Services. Email her at bploeger@broomfield.org[1] .
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