Taking Action

It’s not like Mary wasn’t active. Quite the contrary. Mary loved going for walks and would walk a great distance. There were days when she would walk up to 10 miles. Despite her active lifestyle; she felt as though she was missing something in her fitness routine, strength training. When Mary Townley read about the 2018 ACTION (Adams County Taking Initiative on Obesity Now) Program, she became excited about joining the program and to begin working out.

“It just seemed like the right time and the right fit for me, and I just wanted to be healthier and stronger,” stated Townley. “A big part of joining the program was that it was free, so it allowed me to try the facility and classes. That was very appealing to me.”

Taking Action

When it was time to register for the 2018 ACTION Program, Mary, along with a friend, committed to take action and work on living a healthier lifestyle. Mary joked that when

it was time for the duo to complete the body composition analysis, they laughed and told one another to stay away because they didn’t want each other to know their weight. Mary quickly overcame her fear of another person knowing her weight and body measurements. “I was kind of like, ‘ok there it is, someone else, other than me, knows my weight.’ As I grew stronger, and saw my fat decrease, and my muscle mass increase, that was all I needed. Once I saw the numbers print out it motivated me. I ended up loving the check-ins.”

A big part of joining the program was that it was free, so it allowed me to try the facility and classes. That was very appealing to me.

The two friends tried to workout together, but due to conflicting schedules, they were unable to join one another. That was when Mary committed to coming no matter what. Regardless if her friend would be joining her, Mary was committed to making the most out of this opportunity. She made an effort to come to the facility at least five times a week.

With the help of the workout card and videos provided by the ACTION Program, Mary was able to workout without the fear of not knowing what to do. As the weeks passed, Mary found herself using The Kroc Center more than she was using her workout cards. “Talking to the fitness and gym attendants helped a lot. Not once did someone tell me that I couldn’t do something,” stated Townley. “It was always ‘you can do this! You’ve got it!’ So that just made me say that I’m going to keep coming back. I can do it. The entire experience was encouraging. I’ve met people that are now friends that I didn’t know before I participated in the ACTION Program.”

Setting Goals

After completing the ACTION Program, Mary became a member of The Kroc Center. “Many times my son would send me a text message and ask ‘mom, what are you doing?, and I’d say ‘I’m at The Kroc or I’ve been at The Kroc.’ He would say ‘you must be really loving that place and be doing well.’ And I would say, ‘well, it’s like my best friend.’ I was coming five times a week. Close to Christmas, my son was asking me what I wanted, and I said, ‘I know what I want, but I’m not going to ask for it.’ He said, ‘well, I know what you want. I am buying it for you.’ I told him that it was an expensive gift, and I would never ask someone for that. He said, ‘well guess what? We’re going to The Kroc Center to buy your membership because that’s my gift to you.’ I feel very blessed and thankful that I can be here as much as I want throughout the week.”

Talking to the fitness and gym attendants helped a lot. Not once did someone tell me that I couldn’t do something. It was always ‘You can do this! You’ve got it!’

Mary decided to join The Kroc Center after the ACTION Program because she wanted to keep going. “I am not done,” she said. “I’ve set many goals, and there are many more that I’d still like to reach.” One of the goals that she set for herself was to jump on one of the plyometric boxes. “I pulled it out and started with the 3-inch box. After trying the 3-inch box, I said I could do better than this, and now I use the 6-inch box. I’ve also done Jacob’s ladder. I won’t tell how long I’ve been on there, but I still have a goal for the amount of time that I’d like to achieve being on it.”

Staying Strong

Despite now being a member of The Kroc Center, Mary would absolutely participate in the ACTION Program again. “I feel wonderful! I do,” stated Townley. “I feel great. It’s not so much the loss of weight, but I am strong, and I am getting stronger. I don’t ever want that to be taken from me. I like the strength that I have.”

You can do it! You don’t have to sit on the sidelines and watch everyone else. Be part of this program and set goals. You can reach those goals and continue to set new ones.

Mary’s enthusiasm for the ACTION Program is contagious. If you are interested in joining the 2019 ACTION Program and are on the fence as to whether or not you will participate, just take a few words of encouragement from Mary. “You can do it! You don’t have to sit on the sidelines and watch everyone else. Be part of this program and set goals. You can reach those goals and continue to set new ones. Just be a part of a great facility. I have enjoyed it so much.“ ●

ACTION KICK-OFF

Sat, Sept 7 • 10am–1pm

Join the ACTION Facebook Group for wellness videos & tips!