Persistence Pays Off
Ret. Col. Jim Colvin is living proof that staying consistent with his diet and exercise regimen is worth the effort
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STORY BY LONNA UPTON & PHOTOS BY KENNETH BOONE
ow often our New Year’s resolutions go astray. We have clear goals and the best of intentions. We know we have the discipline – this time. Then February rolls around, and we realize those resolutions are in the rearview mirror. Seventy-four year old Jim Colvin is proof that resolutions and goals need not go astray. For thirty years, Colvin served in the Army, maintaining a high-level of physical activity. Running had the advantage of keeping him in shape for his job, but the pounding took a toll on his body, specifically causing back and leg pain due to nerve damage. “My wife says I stayed on the couch for two years, which was absolutely the worst thing to do when I was in pain. I had just completely let myself go. I ended up with two surgeries that had very difficult recoveries. One surgery involved three laminectomies – where the surgeon removes the back part of the vertebra, the lamina, to enlarge the space and ease pressure on the spinal cord and nerves,” Colvin said Colvin credits his physical therapist, David Sharpton, with the encouragement he needed to hire a personal trainer after his second surgery and start his journey to
24 Lake Martin Living
fitness. In fact, he still does the exercises every day that were given to him during physical therapy. “The best situation I had was my therapist talking to my trainer so they could work together on exactly what I needed. They really want you to get better. They aren’t just going through the motions. I learned pretty fast that exercise actually reduces pain then helps to prevent more pain. I hired Cara Tidwell at Total Fitness in 2015. Now I work with her one morning a week, and I work out four days a week on my own. I’d probably go on Saturdays, too, if they were open,” Colvin said. Since he began his journey, Colvin’s resolution has been the same – to maintain his health and quality of life so he can do the things he wants to do without pain and restriction. He has a plan with Tidwell that incorporates cross-training. “I work on balance, flexibility, core strength Seven years and counting and cardio, something different every time. I really Right: Colvin has been enjoy the pool, walking consistent and swimming against the with his current, so stress is off the exercise joints. I also take classes, program like Pilates and aerobics, at since 2015
