2012 Challenge: Taking Control of Her Health

Joan White says the 2012 Challenge is not just about making time for herself, and getting in shape.  For Joan, this competition is about taking control of her health.  "I'm 53 years old I'm on three medications for that, high blood pressure--I'm on two medications for that, I'm on a medication for high cholesterol."

Joan says her main goal in this competition is to get off her medications.  She says over the past few years her weight has spiraled out of control, and has had to increasingly take more medication.  Joan, like many other people, is busy. She raised three girls who have now all flown the nest.  Joan commutes daily to Syracuse- a drive she's been doing for 23 years.  It's all taken a toll on her health.

"I don't take time for myself and I figure now is the time to do that," she says.

Joan began working out in the fall, but found that without a change in her diet, it wasn't enough.  With the competition, she's completely changed her lifestyle.  "It was hard at first but now that I've been coming here every day daily I have more energy and I make sure my refrigerator's packed with all the right food to eat. It's easier now when the alarm clock goes off at five o'clock."

What's been most difficult for Joan through this whole process is something that many people can relate to: "my biggest challenge is to put myself first and make myself the most important person and still get everything else done, my work and family life."

Joan says she never thought she'd be running again, and now she looks forward to coming to the gym.  She says anyone can follow in her footsteps, you just have to put your mind to it. 

Joan is close to meeting her first goal of losing twenty pounds, having lost fifteen so far.  She also says she's off one of her medications, and it's just a matter time before she's hopefully off a few more.