Debbie Bradshaw started the year with a typical, but important
new year’s resolution — to take care of herself. Yet, she followed
through with a resolve not typical for new year’s resolutions,
losing 55 pounds and earning her recognition from President Barack
Obama.
Debbie Bradshaw started the year with a typical, but important new year’s resolution — to take care of herself. Yet, she followed through with a resolve not typical for new year’s resolutions, losing 55 pounds and earning her recognition from President Barack Obama.
A co-worker at Rebekah Childrens Services convinced Bradshaw to become a part of an online group that records excercising achievements together in response to Obama’s recent call for Americans to live healthier, more active lives. Bradshaw excercises 5-6 miles a day and received a bronze award and a certificate signed by Obama.
“It’s more that you do something everyday,” she said.
With her 60th birthday in sight, Bradshaw, 57, saw the new year as a chance to change. She started off working by herself to achieve her new year’s resolution, walking three miles to and from work every day and later adding an aquatic aerobics class.
A colleague suggested that she start logging the hours she excercised in an online program. The program – created to help adults and children accept a presidential challenge to lead a more active lifestyle – allows indivduals to keep track of daily excercise. They can log the amount of time spent and calories burned doing activities such as biking, hiking and jogging, as well as more unusual fitness programs such as yardwork and synchronized swimming.
At least 11 individals from Rebekah Childrens Services and 13 kids participate in the program, led by Linda Haskin, who is the program’s administrator at Rebekah.
“She’s always sending out ra-ra e-mails,” Bradshaw said.
Members of the program receive points for each activity they complete depending on the length and intensity of the workout. Bradshaw collected more points each day than the program would let her record.
“She’s enthusiastic and encouraging for other people to join. She’s always happy” said Wellness Chair Rachel Lambert, who also participated in the program. “Her excitement is contagious.”
For Bradshaw, it was just natural.
“It’s just so self-paced … and, you know, it’s good to see it on paper sometimes,” Bradshaw said.
The program doesn’t include a space to enter the distances covered in daily work out programs, so Bradshaw keeps track of this herself. However, Bradshaw doesn’t know exactly how many miles or hours she has excercised, she said.
Sometimes after walking a new route she says, “Gee, I wonder how long that was and I’ll pop in the car and check it.”
Her desire to improve her life quality extended to eating habits.
“I don’t eat fast food anymore,” Bradshaw said. She also has started taking a two- to four-mile evening walk.
“I find I like to do it after dinner. It helps you settle,” she said.
Bradshaw also likes to walk around town, where she has spent almost 40 years of her life. The levee is boring, but around town, friends honk at her when they drive by, she said.
Bradshaw’s enthusiasm is so contagious, her family has joined in the fun, Bradshaw said.
“My grandson will rollerblade with me and I’ll walk” she said.
She also walks with a friend and joins her daughter in walking dogs for her daughter’s animal care business. Although Bradshaw enjoys company while she excercises, she also likes excercising alone.
“It gives you time to think about things,” she said.
