Interview #15: Karen Toews

Name: Karen Toews

Last year my husband and I moved from Alberta to Nova Scotia, where we're closer to family and enjoying discovering the Maritimes. Prior to our move I wrote a newspaper column, Fitness Matters; I am presently finding my writing stride here in my new home.

Where you live: Bridgewater, Nova Scotia

1. Did you participate in sports as a kid?
I grew up with three older brothers and a tomboy sister in a country neighbourhood of school friends and cousins. I played softball, football, hockey – and road my bike on dusty gravel roads to see my friends. All for fun. I was never involved in competitive sports, unless you count the annual school track meet.

2. When did your interest in health and fitness start?
When I got married I had a goal to always be able to fit into my wedding gown. My fitness routine then was mainly walking.

3. What does your fitness routine consist of?
Running, cycling, hiking, free weights, yoga, swimming.

4. Do you have a mentor?
My husband is my longest-running mentor/partner – in many ways!

5. What was the wildest activity you ever participated in?
As in physical activity, in high school I rapelled off a cliff – once. The most physically extreme was running a 56 km ultramarathon in South Africa.

6. What was your favourite activity? Why?
In the present tense, running is my first love, hands down. It makes me feel free and alive and creative. I never wear a headset because I want to hear nature, be aware of any traffic and as I flush my brain I can pray and plan and get inspired. Running gives me the biggest bang for the time I invest: and also gives me the most frustration when injury or age determines how much or little I’m able to do.

7. What was your least favourite activity? Why?
Two years ago a friend suggested we do a triathlon and although I was a poor swimmer, I readily signed up. I worked hard to improve, and did somewhat, but never enjoyed it. Last winter I gave it another eight-week chance; still no fun. Then – this summer while swimming in the lake with my grandchildren I put my mind into play mode. Voila! Change of attitude. Still, no more competitive swimming for me.

8. Who do you exercise with?
If with anyone else, most often my husband: my line is “I sleep with my coach.”

9. When do you exercise?
First thing in the morning is my favourite, but I like to exercise outside so have to work around the weather/daylight. It’s a priority for me, so I fit it in my day wherever I can.

10. Where do you exercise?
I live in the country and do most of my running and biking on wonderful trails and back roads. In the winter I run with friends on a beach about 20 minutes from our house. I do my weight work (the sporadic amount that it is!) in our basement.

11. What advice would you give to someone considering a change in their fitness routine?
Do something you like to do, set realistic goals, and don’t beat yourself up if you miss a beat in your schedule.

12. What would you recommend as the most useful fitness equipment?
Good running shoes.

13. What would you say is the most useless piece of equipment?
I use everything I have: running gear, a bike and a trainer (a stand) I put it on for indoor training, free weights, and a few other gym-related items.

Thanks for sharing, Karen!

It's not too late to share. Email me at withinreach [at] nexicom [dot] net to ask for the questionnaire and I will send it to you.

Blessings on the road to health!

Interview #14: Mary Haskett

Name: Mary Haskett

Mary Haskett writes for her local Christian paper. Her award winning book, Reverend Mother’s Daughter has gained a lot of interest over the past year. Her second book is close to completion. Mary is also an experienced Bible study teacher and workshop facilitator.

Age: A grandma with grandchildren in their twenties

Where do you live: London, Ontario

1. Did you participate in sports as a kid?
Yes, track and field, netball, field hockey, high jump, gymnastics and anything that kept me moving.

2. When did your interest in health and fitness start?
Hmm probably as a student nurse. I coached our hospital relay team when we competed against our rivals, Hammersmith Hospital in England. We had a great victory and were so excited because their team had been coached by Roger Bannister, the 4 minute mile man!

3. What does your fitness routine consist of?
Grandma no longer sprints in relays. It’s brisk, well fairly brisk walks and swimming 2 or 3 times a week. I learned to swim 5 years ago.

4. Do you have a mentor?
My husband. He used to go swimming and I stayed at home. But when he told me about the ladies who chatted with him in the pool I decided I better get moving!

5. What was the wildest activity you ever participated in?
Oh dear. I guess shenanigans back in the fifties were mild compared to more recent times, like knocking on people’s doors in the evenings and then hiding behind bushes.

6. What was your favourite activity? Why?
Reading and writing. I loved entering a different world through books. Second would be painting and music. But if you mean fitness wise I would say running.

7. What was you least favourite activity? Why?
Being made to eat tripe as a child. I won’t tell you the outcome. YUCK

8. Who do you exercise with?
My husband

9. When do you exercise?
In the mornings for swimming and the afternoons for walking

10. Where do you exercise?
The girls & boys club in London. They have a huge facility and cater to seniors during the weekdays. The children take over at 4 pm

11. What advice would you give to someone considering a change in their fitness routine?
Depends on age. But I would certainly advise healthy eating which means lots of veggies, grains, chicken, & fish.

12. What would you recommend as the most useful fitness equipment?
I wouldn’t. I had a stationary bike once and it just sat in the basement while I went for brisk walks in the fresh air.

13. What would you say is the most useless piece of equipment?
That bike! Well it is no more.

14. Do you have anything to add?
Only to recommend to everyone no matter your age, try to do some form of exercise to keep the joints oiled and the brain active. Avoid large quantities of fries, burgers and the like.

Thanks for sharing, Mary!

This is the last in the series of "regular gals" sharing their fitness stories. I hope you enjoyed reading the replies to each question as much as I have!

Practice makes perfect

Here's proof that I actually went skating. For the last 15 minutes, the ice was empty save for my friend, Melanie, her son, Alex and my daughter, Kristen.

It was a very nice outing...and I didn't even fall once!

The Millbrook Community Centre offers public skating 3x a week. I'm going to see if I can make it at least once, but shoot for all three times.

Blessings on the road to health!

Interview #13: Violet Nesdoly

Name: Violet Nesdoly

Violet Nesdoly is a freelance writer who has had articles, reviews, stories, poems and activities published in a variety of print and online publications. She has also published two books of poems. She celebrates four years of blogging at promptings (http://vnesdoly.blogspot.com) on October 19th.

Age: 62

Where you live: Langley, British Columbia

1. Did you participate in sports as a kid?
Not if I could help it. Actually, I tried but each sport I experimented with proved what has become part of my psyche – I am slow and uncoordinated.

2. When did your interest in health and fitness start?
I can’t remember a time I didn’t want to be slim and fit. Paying the price to get there was another thing entirely. Latterly I remember this friend a bit older than I who regretted not exercising when she was able because once the weight came on, her feet gave out so she couldn’t easily exercise. I promised myself to do all I could to keep that from happening to me.

3. What does your fitness routine consist of?
Walking. My husband (retired) and I walk after lunch every day for almost an hour. I also do as many errands as I can on foot instead of driving. However, I am presently living in guilt because a friend who is very fit has told me this is not enough. I need to be doing weight training and some other hard, sweaty things. And I thought I was doing so well *sigh*

4. Do you have a mentor?
No

5. What was the wildest activity you ever participated in?
I am not the least bit into physically wild. It would probably be riding the zip line (completely harnessed of course) at a local Bible camp.

6. What was your favourite activity? Why?
I love hiking. If exercise can include exploring nature and seeing new territory, bring it on!

7. What was your least favourite activity? Why?
Crossing streams on logs. Even the thought makes my palms go sweaty. That’s because when I panic, I get shaky.

8. Who do you exercise with?
My husband – or whoever will go for a walk with me. If there are no takers I go alone.

9. When do you exercise?
Every day after lunch or if it’s summer and the midday is too hot I walk in the morning.

10. Where do you exercise?
That’s the nice part. We usually walk a path that follows a local stream for at least half of the way. We sometimes drive to walks in the area (Derby’s Reach, Fort to Fort Trail, Elgin Park, Crescent Beach, Ducks Unlimited on the Serpentine, and Mud Bay Park are some of our favourites). And I always take my camera.

11. What advice would you give to someone considering a change in their fitness routine?
It must fit into your regular schedule somehow or you’ll never do it. It also helps if it’s something you enjoy. Then you must stick with it until you get addicted to how good you feel after exercise and you won’t be able to quit.

12. What would you recommend as the most useful fitness equipment?
Your feet in comfortable running shoes.

13. What would you say is the most useless piece of equipment?
An exercise bicycle. I used it seldom but even the little I did gave me a sore butt.

14. Do you have anything to add?
Fitness, both exercise and maintaining a healthy weight, is a matter of stewardship for me. I have only one body and I want to be able to use it (preferably comfortably) for as long as I can.

Thanks, Violet!

Want to share your own answers? Email me at withinreach [at] nexicom [dot] net to ask for the questionnaire and I will send it to you.

Blessings on the road to health!

Practice what I preach

My son (in red) and hubby (in jeans & black shirt) running for a touchdown!


Don't be fooled by the golf cart...I was still exhausted by the end of 9 holes!

My daughter standing at the entrance to the Millbrook Trail.

Me (taking the stairs 2 at a time) :) on the trail

Over the last few days, I have tried to put fitness first. One caveat though...it's gotta be fun! And fun it's been. I've enjoyed golfing (3 times now!) and hiking the awesome trails in my area. I've tried skating and plan to make it a weekly activity. I even supported my son and husband in a game of touch football.

I've tested my fitness level in the past and plan to test it again. I have a simple home test that I use -- it measures strength and endurance and flexibility. If you're interested in testing your own fitness, visit my website http://www.kimberleypayne.com/ and fill out the survey (just click on the wheel on my home page).

Enjoy autumn!

Try something new

I just celebrated my 40th birthday last week with my girlfriends from University...Raq, Shelli, Jake & Dijen. We enjoyed a spa weekend at Blue Mountain in Collingwood. What a blast!

This kicked off my 40's in the right way and I vow to make the next decade the healthiest one ever! I am committed to trying new things....a few days ago I went skating with my daughter. She skated circles around me, but it was fun to be out on the ice. And I didn't even fall!

Yesterday, my hubby and I took in a round of golf. This was only the second time in my life for playing golf and although I naturally shoot left, I was using right clubs. Have a look at my pictures and you can see what kind of day I had :)

Actually, it was a lot of fun!

Let me know if you've tried any new activities lately.

Interview #12: Carolyne Aarsen

Name: Carolyne Aarsen

Carolyne and her husband live near the intersection of No and Where, about 8 miles from Neerlandia where they get mail, groceries and the latest gossip. Carolyne just sent away the manuscript on her 27th book and is celebrating by doing as little as possible. http://www.carolyneaarsen.com/

Age: 52, as of yesterday. Sniff.

Where you live: We have a farm close to Neerlandia, Alberta which isn’t near much.

1. Did you participate in sports as a kid?
No how, no way. I avoided track and field because running gave me a stitch in my side and I was deathly afraid of hurting myself on the bar in high jump. I skated but I was always in my own world – because there I could be the best, the fastest, the most artistic – without all that practising stuff that was so boring.

2. When did your interest in health and fitness start?
It was at the Neerlandia annual, First of July Picnic. I was watching a friend, who had just had a baby a half a year previous, running in a 3 mile race. She yelled at me to come and join her and I thought, forget about it. But I was challenged. At that time we lived at the end of a dead end, gravel road, so I headed out each day trying to go a little further each time, before I turned around.

3. What does your fitness routine consist of?
These days I stretch each morning, after my devotions. Then do a few situps, push ups and work out on my elliptical strider, partaking in a guilty pleasure – watching Gilmore Girls on DVD. (I have all the seasons and have worked my way through them all). I buy television shows on DVD and only watch them when I’m exercising. I also go for long walks which is good for the soul, the dog and the story I’m struggling to write. I often lift weights and am trying to work that back into the routine as well. I am also going to buy new cross country skis and start doing that again.

4. Do you have a mentor?
Sadly, no. I am a lone wolf .

5. What was the wildest activity you ever participated in?
Wild and me are not words that belong together. But the most challenging activity I ever participated in was a 8 mile trek into Wilmore Wilderness with a backpack and my sisters-in-law. Of course, hiking and spending five days with my sisters-in-law, might satisfy the ‘wild’ part of the activity.

6. What was your favourite activity? Why?
I love going for walks. I can day-dream, plan my children’s lives, meditate, pray and work out knotty problems in my own lives and in the lives of my characters.

7. What was you least favourite activity? Why?
I hate running. Stitch in the side, breathless, red face, people driving by on our country roads stopping to ask if I need a lift. Pass.

8. Who do you exercise with?
My imagination and, these days, Lorelei and Rory Gilmore. Though in a few weeks, it will probably be Jack Bauer of 24.

9. When do you exercise?
In the mornings and once again in the afternoon or evening.

10. Where do you exercise?
In the basement with my television for company.

11. What advice would you give to someone considering a change in their fitness routine?
Pick something you might enjoy then make it appealing. I started working more on the strider once I bought a television and DVD player dedicated to it so I didn’t have to be constantly re-inserting my own DVD to watch. Plus I only watch my television shows when I’m exercising, so find a way to make your routine something special.

12. What would you recommend as the most useful fitness equipment?
An elliptical strider. I have had mine for 10 years and use it every day. It works my entire body and I love going on it. I love the rhythm of it.

13. What would you say is the most useless piece of equipment?
I bought an expensive rowing machine because I was told it was good for core work. I don’t use it much. After spending half an hour on one machine, the last thing I want to do is go on another. And it’s hard to watch television and row at the same time. Makes me dizzy.

14. Do you have anything to add?
I don’t always FEEL like exercising, that’s why I’ve had to work it into a routine so that it’s mindless. I’m the kind of person who has voices in her head talking her into eating and out of exercising. So I try to silence them with dull and boring routine. Get up, eat, stretch, go down exercise. By the time I’m on the strider, the voices are just waking up and by that time, it’s too late for them.

Carolyne, thanks for sharing!

Want to share your own answers? Email me at withinreach [at] nexicom [dot] net to ask for the questionnaire and I will send it to you.

Blessings on the road to health!

Come visit me

Looking for something to do on the weekend of October 17-19th? Come to Toronto to attend the Women Alive conference and expo.

Christine Williams is the host with Hilary Price, Patricia Russell and Dr. Brad Burke as Keynote speakers.

There's 14 breakout sessions to choose from including my own, "The adjustable body: Ergonomics at work". Sheila Wray-Gregoire, Karen Stiller and Diane Clemons are also among the speakers offering sessions on relationships, spiritual life, and women's interests.

Women Alive is a network of Canadian Christian women who are passionately committed to inspire, nurture and equip women in their personal, professional and spiritual lives.

Visit www.womenalive.org for a detailed schedule.

Hope to see you there!

Interview #11: Bonnie Grove

Name: Bonnie Grove

Bonnie Grove developed and wrote social programs for families at risk before landing her first publishing deal for Working Your Best You: Discovering and Developing the Strengths God Gave You. Her first novel Talking to the Dead is due for release summer 2009. Grove and her pastor husband, Steve, have two children; they live in Saskatchewan. You can visit Bonnie at her website: http://www.bonniegrove.com/ and she blogs weekly here: http://www.fictionmatters.blogspot.com/

Age: 41 – and thanks for asking!

Where you live: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

1. Did you participate in sports as a kid?
As a kid, I mostly participated in falling down and getting hit with the ball. Book geek over here!

2. When did your interest in health and fitness start?
I had a baby at 33 and then another one at 35. You do the math. I need to live for a long time.

3. What does your fitness routine consist of?
I rotate between core strength/toning, aerobics, and weights.

4. Do you have a mentor?
No! Can I get one? Would I have to pay C.O.D.? Because I totally would.

5. What was the wildest activity you ever participated in?
We’re still talking exercise, right? When I was in high school I, and a bunch of my friends, went to this city wide event. They were trying to get into the Guinness Book of World Records for the largest game of musical chairs. About 2,000 teens turned out for the event (not enough for the record). One of my friends was out on the first round – oops, but I managed to stay in the game until we were down to nine players. Musical chairs, it’s not just for pre-schoolers anymore!

6. What was your favourite activity? Why?
Crunches. I can do crunches all day. Why? I don’t know. Probably because I’m unstable.

7. What was you least favourite activity? Why?
Aerobics. Mostly because I’m a menace to myself and others. While everyone else is moving to the music, I’m busy in the back clapping my ankle bones together and slapping myself in the head trying to do what the thin lady at the front is doing. It’s not pretty.

8. Who do you exercise with?
My five year old daughter. She loves to follow along with the DVDs I use. Except the aerobics ones. When I turn those on she sits on the couch and says, “I don’t want you to fall on me.”

9. When do you exercise?
In the mornings. I get up, drink coffee, sift through my e-mail and nibble on oatmeal. Then I get to it!

10. Where do you exercise?
In my basement where the fewest number of people possible will be able to witness me falling all over the floor and flapping my arms like an orphaned pterodactyl.

11. What advice would you give to someone considering a change in their fitness routine?
Go slow! Give your body time to adjust and get used to changes.

12. What would you recommend as the most useful fitness equipment?
Your DVD player. There are wonderful DVDs out there that walk you through entire workouts. I love them.

13. What would you say is the most useless piece of equipment?
What was the name of that sit-up contraption? You know the one where you put your head on this “head rest” and push on a bar to “help” you do sit ups. Uh, yeah, thanks for that. Useless!

14. Do you have anything to add?
For me working out is about feeling good. I live with arthritis in my knees, and when I work out I feel better and have more energy and it helps manage my pain. That’s the bottom line for me. Oh, and be kind to yourself – if you’re a beginner, like me, start slow and work your way up to a level you are comfortable with. And be sure to reward your progress!

Oh, Bonnie, you are a hoot! Thanks for sharing.

Want to share your own answers? Email me at withinreach [at] nexicom [dot] net to ask for the questionnaire and I will send it to you.

Blessings on the road to health!

Interview #10: Ruth Smith Meyer

Name: Ruth Smith Meyer

Ruth, a Canadian writer remarried after the death of her first husband, apportions life mostly between two communities. She enjoys interaction with her children, and step-children, in-laws, and grandchildren. She is an active member of The Word Guild, Inscribe and Ready Writers of London. That keeps her running!

Where you live: Ailsa Craig and Listowel Ontario

1. Did you participate in sports as a kid?
No—didn’t have much opportunity except for recess baseball games. I was a skinny kid but couldn’t run very fast or very long. But I did a lot of gardening, farm chores and physical work.

2. When did your interest in health and fitness start?
I can’t remember not being interested in staying fit. I had some overweight relatives and I always thought I would never allow myself to become overweight.

3. What does your fitness routine consist of?
For many years I did the 10BX program each day. Walking has always been the biggest part of my fitness routine – up to and sometimes over 5 km a day outside in good weather, on the treadmill otherwise. For several years, I did deep-water aqua-fit three times a week, which I absolutely loved except for the 25-30 minute drive to get there and then back again.

4. Do you have a mentor?
No, but it sounds nice.

5. What was the wildest activity you ever participated in?
Now, now! I don’t know what you want here—climbing up to the hay mow and jumping down to a pile of hay on the barn floor all afternoon, or hiking up a mountain or ah -- ahem! -- Maybe I’d better stop there!

6. What was your favourite activity?
Besides the Ahem? Definitely the aqua-fit! Why? I love being in the water and it is very easy on the joints and gives you an overall sense of fitness and health, plus it is so refreshing.

7. What was your least favourite activity?
A fitness routine at home, by myself. Why? I could always see 100 other things I should be doing, so it was hard to concentrate and remember that I am worth it.

8. Who do you exercise with?
Usually alone because of my scattered life-style and lack of someone who shares my schedule and understands my need for consistency.

9. When do you exercise?
Mostly first thing in the morning.

10. Where do you exercise?
My treadmill stands right behind my computer, so I frequently stop for a five to fifteen minute hike on it to change my position and get the cobwebs out of my brain. If and when I find a swimming facility that offers deep-water aqua-fit I will be there, and Curves keeps beckoning me.

11. What advice would you give to someone considering a change in their fitness routine?
Do what you enjoy because you are most apt to successfully keep at it.

12. What would you recommend as the most useful fitness equipment?
Again what you enjoy and will use consistently.

13. What would you say is the most useless piece of equipment?
What you won’t use.

14. Do you have anything to add?

By the looks of me my dedication to being fit hasn't done much, but every time my doctor takes my blood pressure, he shakes his head in unbelief. Apparently not many women of my weight have such a good blood pressure level. All the doctors I have seem to try to get to the bottom of my weight problem, check my eating habits and all my vitals and come up with the good, but frustrating conclusion, "You are a healthy woman!" Not that I want to be found with some dire ailment, but just enough to find a way to lose the excess pounds.

Ruth, thanks so much for sharing!

Want to share your own answers? Email me at withinreach [at] nexicom [dot] net to ask for the questionnaire and I will send it to you.

Blessings on the road to health!

Interview #9: Lynda Schultz

Name: Lynda Schultz

Age: 58

Where you live: Caracas, Venezuela

1. Did you participate in sports as a kid?
I tried to play baseball, basketball, volleyball and the usual kid’s games, but I was always the last one chosen for anyone’s team, so that tells you how good I was!

2. When did your interest in health and fitness start?
I probably began to take health and fitness more seriously around the time I started into perimenopause. I was carrying around too much weight, blood pressure went up, and breathing was affected.

3. What does your fitness routine consist of?
I walk — I don’t own a car — and since this is a very hilly country, I don’t usually walk on flat ground. I also have a treadmill, which I use when I can’t get out for a walk.

4. Do you have a mentor?
No.

5. What was the wildest activity you ever participated in?
I joined a gym and tried to lift weights and to use all those muscle-building machines—that didn’t last long, believe me. Not so wild, but considering my usual level of activity, a little on the daring side.

6. What was your favourite activity? Why?
I enjoy walking and wish I had a more congenial place to do it. The treadmill can be boring, and walking outside here is both dangerous (security issues) and unhealthy (pollution from the traffic). On the other hand, it does get me out into the sun for a bit of Vitamin D, a change of scenery, and a stress-reliever.

7. What was your least favourite activity? Why?
I used to go to an aerobics class. But I have no sense of direction and am sooooooo uncoordinated—I felt like such a klutz.

8. Who do you exercise with?
No one presently, though I used to do it with the ministry partner I had several years ago.

9. When do you exercise?
I try to walk in the morning. The treadmill I do in the late afternoon before supper.

10. Where do you exercise?
The treadmill is in my bedroom and I walk in the neighbourhood.

11. What advice would you give to someone considering a change in their fitness routine?
Check with your doctor. I was doing stairs (thirteen floors up and down again) for a long time thinking that was good exercise for me. After a visit to my doctor and complaints about the “creaking” joints, I discovered I was doing more damage than good to areas like my knees.

12. What would you recommend as the most useful fitness equipment?
I’ve done aerobics, weights, the bicycle, the treadmill, exercise tapes and think that the treadmill is the most useful for me. I try to make it more interesting by reading as I walk, or singing, or praying.

13. What would you say is the most useless piece of equipment?
The tapes—if you can call that equipment. The sweet young things that make these things, already in perfectly good shape, lithe and agile, go too quickly and assume too much of their less prepared audience.

14. Do you have anything to add?
If you have the privilege of being able to exercise with a partner, do it. It’s great for accountability and encouragement.

Thanks Lynda!

Want to share your own answers? Email me at withinreach [at] nexicom [dot] net to ask for the questionnaire and I will send it to you.

Blessings on the road to health!

Interview #8: Janice Dick

Name: Janice Dick

Janice Dick is the award-winning author of three historical novels. Other writing credits include short stories, reviews, articles, devotionals and editing. Dick is also an ACB Toastmaster.

Age: 54

Where you live: Guernsey SK (on a farm)

1. Did you participate in sports as a kid?
Not much. I used my asthma as a lame excuse.

2. When did your interest in health and fitness start?
After I had kids.

3. What does your fitness routine consist of?
Twice a week I use an exercise video which uses weights, an exercise ball, stretches, etc. That’s 40 minutes. On those days I also walk a mile. On other days, I walk 3 miles. I also try to use exercise breaks when I remember (Thanks to Kimberley). Housework and yardwork also count as exercise. When I can’t walk outside I have another low impact stepercise video.

4. Do you have a mentor?
Nope, just a goal to stay fit.

5. What was the wildest activity you ever participated in?
Hand soccer, when we were youth leaders. You’re bending over all the time. (I’m not too wild)

6. What was your favourite activity?
I like walking best. (If I knew how to dance, I would, but I don’t, so I just fake it when I’m alone.) Why? Because it doesn’t take equipment aside from decent shoes, and can be done anywhere.

7. What was you least favourite activity?
Routine exercises on my own. Why? Boredom.

8. Who do you exercise with?
Just me, and I prefer it because it doesn’t add stress trying to fit into someone else’s schedule. My husband and I walk together whenever we can.

9. When do you exercise?
First thing in the morning, or it won’t happen. Right now, that’s between 7 AM and 8 AM. In summer it can be earlier because it gets light sooner. I try for 6 days a week and hope for a little exercise on Sunday if I can work it in.

10. Where do you exercise?
In my living room for the videos (I have a mat) and out on the gravel road when I walk.

11. What advice would you give to someone considering a change in their fitness routine?
You have to want to do it. Have a goal in mind. I needed to lose weight and shape up, so I joined Weight Watchers, which offers an excellent self-tracking system. I had a goal in mind and now that I’ve reached it, I want to maintain it. It’s nice to have some control over that aspect of my life. I think what you eat and what you do goes hand in hand.

12. What would you recommend as the most useful fitness equipment?
Your feet.

13. What would you say is the most useless piece of equipment?
A stationery bike. Mine aggravated my sciatica terribly until I realized what was happening. And often, it just performs duty as a clothes horse.

14. Do you have anything to add?

Even though I’m a sedentary person by nature—okay, I’m lazy—I have been able to form a habit of exercise and now miss it when I can’t do it. I have also seen the benefits of exercise and proper nutrition used together. Oh, and I loved the exercise breaks you offered at Write! Canada. This year I made a point to be there and I learned how to take a short dance break. I do it often now and love it. I’m sure it looks funny, but no one’s watching.

Janice, thanks for sharing!

Want to share your own answers? Email me at withinreach [at] nexicom [dot] net to ask for the questionnaire and I will send it to you.

Blessings on the road to health!