Walk more, eat less.

TM:  Swag is one of several great running ambassadors in this community.  Visit his store or another local running store and get fitted for shoes by a seasoned associate.  Then follow one of the running instructors' Web links for directions.  Find the links on the Do A Little Exercise page.  Go get 'em, Sassy Sister.


terry - i listen to you every day - i have a mowing / landscaping business - and i always enjoy your show - but the reason for this note - your recent comments and challenges to "to run, walk, or crawl" a marathon - and to obtain that metal - to reach that goal ---- well count me in ---- i'm 51 years old and i want to join you ---- years and years ago right after college i taught high school in a private school here in louisville and one day our lesson turn to goal setting - so i challenge my students to set and reach their goals - well one student ask me "mr jones whats one of your goals?" and my answer - "to run a marathon" and the students laught - but i was serious - but several decades have past - but listening to YOUR comments terry - i would like to obtain that goal - terry count me in!!!!! don jones
TM:  Awesome!  Let’s teach more people to live their dreams.
 
Hi Terry,
a couple weeks ago you talked about getting folks together to train for
the Louisville marathon next year - are you still thinking about it, and if
so COUNT ME IN!  Listening to you those two / three days you talked about
it got me so excited and pumped.  I've run the mini a couple times (not in
the last 3 years) and have wondered if I could ever do a full marathon -
you convinced me I can. 
Add me to the list of contacts when you begin the training. 
thanks,
debbie
 
I just saw your website, and immediately thought of the old Bloom County comic strip.  I was wondering if you remember the one where Opus was trying all of these fad diets, and the Milo character said something like "Why don't you just eat less, and exercise more?"  I thought that would be great to include in the site if you can find it.
Thanks for the inspiration,
Chris


Terry,
A few days ago, you had an exercise winner who has struggled with "addictions."  Through the course of the conversation, you invited him to come back on your show for an interview.  As I struggle with some of the same things, I would be very interested in knowing when you plan on having him on.  Can you let me know?
Thanks,
 TM:  Bob returned to the show the next day and told of his struggles with drugs.  Through the 1980s, Bob said all he wanted to do is stay out all night and do drugs.  He finally hit rock bottom after being sent to prison for stealing and decided he was going to seize some control over his life.  These days, Bob regularly attends meetings with a 12-step support group and uses exercise to feed his compulsive, addictive nature.  He turned around his life on his own raw courage and with the help of God and friends.  He’s shining a light.  Follow.
 
Hi my name is Danny McGrath; I have run 6 Derby Mini Marathons and would love to train for a full marathon.  I need a team to train with and would love to be part of your team.
I heard about this on your radio show.  When is the official time to sign up?
Thanks
Danny McGrath
TM:  The official signup period is here.  There are several training programs linked on the “Do a little exercise” page.
 
Although my story doesn’t fit in your topic of Walk More, Eat Less like the interesting one yesterday about the man who turned his life around and the one today about being scared into starting to exercise and watch his diet for physical reasons, I think there may be a time you might want to use little tidbits of my saga to encourage people to make the best use of their time that they can.
I’ve thought of calling your show several times, but really don’t want to be on the radio or have my name used.
I am 79 years old.  I am still working a 30-hour week as secretary at a Catholic Church where I thoroughly enjoy the work and the great parishioners I come in contact with.  I want to write now because I’m retiring next week after 21 years as secretary at this church, a total of 42 years with the Archdiocese.
I started walking around my neighborhood when I was in my late 50’s.  I can’t remember just why, but I enjoyed seeing neighbors, the pretty flowers and trees and having time to just “think”.  When I was 62 I had breast cancer, and it took a while to get back to walking.   My husband developed what turned out to be Parkinson’s syndrome and dementia.  I had to stop walking outdoors to be closer to him.  He fell a lot.   The pastor at my church made it possible for me to do a lot of my work from home, so I could continue my job.  Our children bought me a treadmill and I used it until the time when he fell out in the yard and I couldn’t hear him call for me because I was walking on the treadmill.  I don’t have one of the quiet ones you advertise.  Then I just stopped walking altogether. 
Almost three years ago, my husband had to go into a nursing home.  I was busy with work and visiting the nursing home 6 days (or nights) a week, staying with him 2 to 4 hours each visit, doing all the work at home and taking care of finances, etc.  About a year and a half ago, I decided to start back on the treadmill.  My cholesterol was 238, I weighed 175, had a lot of stress because of my husband’s condition.  I started walking on the treadmill just 5 minutes each morning.  Then I added 5 minutes after work and before the nursing home visit.  At the same time, I started cutting out the chocolate and sweets and eating more oats, fruits, etc.  (Can’t say I’m very fond of vegetables, but I try).  I added a couple of more minutes on to my treadmill time until now I’m up to 15 minutes both morning and evening.  When I went for my physical in February, my cholesterol was 186, weight 154.  When I tell people my age (I’ll be 80 in January), they tell me I look and act much younger.  I ce
rtainly am a lot more active than some of my friends. I think I feel better than most people my age.  It’s not from lack of stress, because I certainly have plenty of stress because of my husband’s condition.
But I think it’s important to stay mentally busy too.  When I go to the nursing home, I try to take a puzzle or something to read or note paper to write someone, in case my husband is just dozing and I’m just sitting with him.  I’m not going to just watch TV.  Sometimes it seems he just wants me there – just to be there.
When I decided to retire this June, I started asking people what they do with all their time.  Some tell me they watch a lot of television, some say they sleep late, some do volunteer work.  I will have plenty to do.  I plan to go to daily Mass.  That way, I won’t get in the habit of lounging in bed until mid-morning and I will enjoy seeing the same people at church.  We become like a little family.  (My husband and I went to daily Mass before he got sick.)  I think it’s really important to make the best use of your time that you can. 
This is not the life my husband and I had planned for these older years, but with thought and determination, I am trying to make the best of them.  I think God smiled when it turned out my first day of retirement will be the same as my wedding anniversary.  I will have started two new lives on the same day – just 55 years apart.
Incidentally, when Fr. John Dalton was pastor at St. Columba, I was his secretary (before the church where I am now).  He spoke fondly of going to “Mel and Norma’s” and mentioned how many potatoes had to be peeled for a meal.  I gathered he stayed and ate with your family sometimes.  I’m sure you all must have loved him.  
Thanks for all the good you do with your program.
Margie Hale
TM:  Yours is the most delightful e-mail I’ve received in weeks.  You rock, Margie.  Thanks for the nice life lesson.
 
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