6 minute read
HNA Column
It’s never too late to “be all that you can be”
This is a story about one person’s journey to good health, starting at age 70.
Larry Scurlock survived life-changing health events to live a life of health and abundance following 12 years of poor health. His ailments and chronic conditions included heart disease, open heart surgery, replacement of aortic valve, diabetes, degenerative disk disease with five back operations, spinal reconstruction, hardware in his left arm, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, arthritis, five feet of stitches, use of a cane and a walker (with a suggestion that he should get a wheelchair) and 12 costly prescribed medications a day. Looking at Larry today, you would never believe he was ever in such poor health. Today, his chronic conditions are managed and he is vibrant, healthy and thriving!
When asked how he turned his health around, Larry shares his diagram for health and longevity (pictured above), which includes plugging into a healthwellness community as well as his daily health habits - exercise and healthy eating. Larry had the good fortune to work with many health care professionals: dentists, pharmacists, physical therapists, nurses, nurse practitioners, physicians, nutritionists and fitness specialists including Dr. Mary Jo Welker (OSU Primary Care Physician), Grant Nau (OSU Fitness Specialist) and his wife, Karen, on his journey to wellness.
Larry’s goal was a simple one: He wanted to “be all that I can be.” Armed with an exercise prescription from his primary care physician, Dr. Welker, Larry entered The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Health & Fitness Center located in the Philip Heit Center for Healthy New Albany, and enrolled in the Exercise is Medicine (EIM) program. Larry says that this was the turning point in his health journey. Pairing up with the EIM team would be the life-changing decision that led Larry to improved health and longevity.
Larry credits his successes to not only willpower and hard work, but to the community and quality relationships he built on his journey, and the many comprehensive resources found at the Heit Center.
Larry proactively participated in his own health care plan, acting as a “coinvestigator” with Dr. Welker and his OSU providers, each working together to identify, understand and apply the care and treatment that was needed. Proper nutrition is one central component to wellness that the team focused on, choosing a diet consisting mainly of whole foods and low-sodium hearty and healthful meals with limited processed foods. Larry and Karen enjoy planning weekly meals together and cooking most meals at home.
Another critical component is staying active. Beginning in 2019, Larry has made an annual one-day bike ride covering miles corresponding to his current age. The spring-fall season of 2020, he achieved 1,000 total miles. For his 78th birthday in September, Larry and his wife plan to make a one-day trip of 78 miles.
Larry keeps his workouts well rounded, swimming 80 laps three times a week. He also participated in an indoor triathlon at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center Health & Fitness Center and came in 12th place.
Larry is passionate about enabling people of all ages to improve their health with exercise, healthy eating and good habits. He routinely speaks about his personal journey, and helps others identify strategies for changing and maintaining healthy habits. In the spirit of “being all that you can be,” find one small way today that you can begin your journey to wellness. It could be as simple as a walk in nature, or making a healthy, homecooked meal.
More information can be found at www.larryscurlock.net.
For information on the comprehensive services available at the Philip Heit Center for Healthy New Albany visit www.heitcenter.com.
Healthy New Albany Community Programs
Philip Heit Center for Healthy New Albany, 150 W. Main St. For additional information, contact Kristina Isenhour at 614-685-6345 or kristina.isenhour@healthynewalbany.org.
Lectures
Friday, Sept. 16 Lunch & Learn: Episodic Food Insecurity: Understanding How Inflation, Rising Food Costs, and the Housing Crisis are Impacting Families 12-1:30 p.m., New Albany Food Pantry or Virtual Tuesday, Oct. 11 Ask the Expert: How Does City Planning Impact Community Health? A Look at How the Built Environment Can Create a Healthier New Albany 6-7 p.m., Philip Heit Center Friday, Oct. 21 Lunch & Learn: Resilience Toolbox for Parents: Practical Tools for Families to Support Mental Wellbeing 12-1:30 p.m., Heit Center or Virtual Tuesday, Nov. 15 Ask the Expert: What Effects Does Food Have on Brain Health? 6-7:15 p.m., Philip Heit Center Friday, Nov. 18 Lunch & Learn: Challenges of Caregiving: Supporting Aging Family, Dementia, Alzheimer’s 12-1:30 p.m., Heit Center or Virtual
General/Other
Saturdays Sep. 17-Oct. 15 Music, Movement, & Drinks from Around the World 8:30-9:30 a.m., Philip Heit Center Tuesdays & Thursdays Oct. 18-Nov. 17 Lift Like a Girl (8th - 10th grades) 2:45-3:30 p.m., Philip Heit Center Lift Like a Girl (6th-7th grades) 3:30-4:15 p.m., Philip Heit Center
Integrative Programs
Thursdays, Sept. 1, 15, Oct. 6, 20 CARE (Compassionate Addiction Recovery Experience) 6:30-7:30 p.m., InStill Wellness Mondays Sept. 12-Oct. 17; Oct. 31Dec. 12 Yoga Foundations
10-11 a.m., Philip Heit Center Mondays, Sept. 12-Oct. 24 Move Better for Life
10-11 a.m., Philip Heit Center Tuesdays, Sept. 20-Oct. 11 Urban Zen (UZIT)
6-7 p.m., InStill Wellness Wednesday, Sept. 21 Restorative Energy Flow 6-7:30 p.m., InStill Wellness Tuesday, Sept. 27 Meditations on Chopra 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Heit Center Wednesdays, Oct. 12-Nov. 16 Tai Chi for Arthritis + Fall Prevention 9:30-10:20 a.m., Philip Heit Center Tuesday, Oct. 18 Meditation & Yoga with Features Guest: Deepak Chopra 9:30-10:45 a.m., New Albany Ballet Company Tuesday, Oct. 25 Reiki Level 1 Training 9-5 p.m., Philip Heit Center
Nature Programs
Wednesdays, Sept. 7, 21, Oct. 12, 26 Rewild Child - Nature Classes for PreSchool/Kindergarten 11:50 a.m.-1:20 p.m. or 12:30 - 2 p.m., Swickard Woods Tuesdays, Sept. 13, 27, Oct. 11, 25 Toddlers in Nature 10-11:15 a.m., Rose Run Park Tuesdays, Sept. 20, Oct. 4, 18 World of Wonder (WOW) Nature Class for Young Children 10-11:15 a.m., Rose Run Park Thursdays, Sept. 15, 29, Oct. 13, 27 Yuck! Nature Classes for 1st - 3rd Graders 4-5:30 p.m., Philip Heit Center Sunday, Oct. 30 Haunted Hike (adults only!) 6-8 p.m., Philip Heit Center & surrounding outdoor areas
Nourish Culinary Programs
at Philip Heit Center - Demo Kitchen Thursday, Sept. 1 Chinese “Take-Out”... At Home! 6-8 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 25 How Do You Like Them Apples? 2-4 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 28 Nourish Jr.: Pretzels (6th - 8th grades) 4-5:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 3 Sheet Pan Dinners 2-4 p.m. Saturdays, starting Oct. 8 A Study in Cakes 9:30-11:30 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 9 Bagels 2-4 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 20 Lebanese Heritage Cuisine: The Epitome of the Mediterranean Diet. Sahtain! 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Senior Connections Programs
Thursday Mornings (weekly) Thursday Connections (topics vary) 10 a.m., Philip Heit Center Tuesday Afternoons (weekly) Tuesday Card Play
1-3 p.m., Philip Heit Center Wednesday Mornings (weekly) Wednesday “Clubs” (topics vary) 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m., Philip Heit Center Wednesdays, Sept. 14, Oct. 26 SC at Night
6-7:30 p.m., Philip Heit Center Fridays, Sept. 16, Oct. 14 Pinterest Craft Club
2-3 p.m., Philip Heit Center Sundays, Sept. 25, Oct. 16 Sunday Brunch & Bingo
11 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Locations vary Wednesday, Oct. 19 SC Men’s Club
