CAN DO ATTITUDE

Several years ago, Healthy Living highlighted Shelly Gerig’s success as a sprint triathlon and 5K competitor. We recently caught up with Shelly and learned about her battle with a degenerative spine condition.

Despite dealing with pain and frustration, Shelly, 48, maintains a can-do attitude and has adapted to her situation.

“It has been frustrating and disappointing because I’ve always loved physical activities,” says Shelly, development coordinator at New Vision for Independence. “But I’ve conducted lots of research and learned what exercises are beneficial for my condition and what exercises are harmful. This has been a mental game, and I’ve had to adjust to keep strong.”

Although she eliminated jogging from her exercise regimen, she focuses on activities she can still perform:

• Riding a bike 15 to 20 miles once a week;

• Swimming 30 laps twice a week;

• Performing a combination of stretching and yoga, including planks;

• Weight training three times a week;

• Running on an elliptical machine several times a week.

We’re on it.

The Institute of Medical Excellence is your first line of defense for your husband’s office full of sniffling, sneezing co-workers. Our primary care physicians are there for everything from regular checkups and treating common ailments, to promoting wellness programs like weight loss or smoking cessation. We’re also excellent at heading off illnesses before they have a chance to take hold… Becky brought Ted in on Friday and they both got a flu shot. Ted made it through the week without a single sniffle.