Julie Casey was thrilled as she got closer to reaching her weight loss goal. But she eventually reached a point where the number on the scale would no longer budge.
“I was at a standstill with losing weight,” Casey said.
But little did she know help was on the way. She heard about a program called Move It Mondays that was being offered through Tanner Health System’s Get Healthy, Live Well initiative. In partnership with the West Georgia Track Club in Carrollton, Get Healthy, Live Well launched the eight-week program designed to turn walkers into joggers. The program offers training in a group setting.
“I wanted to step up from walking to jogging,” Casey said. “I liked that I was expected to be there and have someone there to answer questions if I had any. This program helped me to get over my plateau and I was able to kick start losing weight again.”
While participating in the program, she completed the Bremen 5K. After completing the program, she has continued to walk and jog regularly.
“I am now three pounds away from my goal weight,” Casey said. “I would recommend this program for someone like me who at first needs to be accountable and encouraged for starting something new. I am glad that I participated in the program; it has given me the confidence I needed to try something new.”
Move It Mondays pairs beginners with experienced joggers from the West Georgia Track Club. According to the American Heart Association, 30 minutes of physical activity a day, five days a week, can reduce the risk of cancer, depression, heart disease, high cholesterol, obesity, osteoporosis and type 2 diabetes.
“I enjoyed the class very much and I am sure that I will never become a runner,” Casey said. “But you should see me jogging up some of these hills in Bremen that, a year ago, I wouldn't have attempted to walk, let alone jog.”
The next session of Move It Mondays will begin on Feb. 1 with a drop-in meet and greet from 5 to 6 p.m. at Tanner Medical Center/Carrollton in Classroom 3. Regular meetings for the program will begin Feb. 8 at 6 p.m. on the walking trail on the Tanner Medical Center/Carrollton campus, with parking available in the Clinic Avenue Parking Deck.
Visit our website to learn more about Move It Mondays and other walking programs in west Georgia.