With Spring, Change is in the Air

No "aha" moment for me. No triple-digit weight loss or life-altering diagnosis. (So far, thank goodness). I just come from a family that struggled with weight issues long before the rest of the country joined in. So I started to exercise in college, felt great and stuck with it. Not headline grabbing, but that’s what it comes down to: small but important decisions every day that keep us moving toward good health—and getting back on track every time we veer off in the wrong direction.

Hence, this column—"Fresh Starts"—where we will foster a community-wide conversation about my favorite subjects: health and wellness. I hope this column will inspire you in your own journey toward living well, and that you share your journey with your fellow readers.

First, a bit about me: For 13 years, I’ve been sharing my too-busy Montgomery Village household with my husband Pete and three (very) active kids, ages 15, 12 and 9. With a master’s degree in health promotion and wellness from Ball State University, I’ve spent most of my working life as a health and medical writer and now teach yoga here in upper Montgomery County. 

My "summer job" is poolside managing the Whetstone Whales. On most days, you’ll spot me walking Lucie, our high-spirited hound, around my neighboorhood. I fit in some quality time every day with the elliptical, spin bike or swimming pool. And of course a yoga mat is my near-constant companion.

Not that my lifestyle is beyond reproach: My childhood aversion to cooked vegetables is very much in tact, I battle a ravenous sweet tooth and find that one slice of Ledo’s pizza always leads to … many more. Don’t judge if you see me at the McDonald’s drive-thru: I am getting my daily bucket of unsweetened iced tea. If you see me at Ledo’s, it’s probably best to say hello then walk away, as things could get ugly if you get between me and my slices.

OK, enough of that. This column, after all, is about you. In this space, we’ll explore our Village to learn what you do to get—and stay—healthy. Next time, I’ll bring you my own personal "" as it relates to our health and well-being. After that, I want to share your stories. Do you play in the tennis ladder? Have you walked all of the paths in the Village? Do you Zumba? Thinking about going vegan? Will you be first in line on opening day of the ?

And it’s not all about diet and exercise. What feeds your spirit and brings meaning to your life? It seems every day a new study confirms the powerful link between social connection and health. So where do you find community? Poolside during summer swim meets? On the links? Coffee around the big table at Einstein’s? At the playground with other moms and dads? At neighborhood block parties?

I look forward to meeting you—online or in person—and to sharing ideas for living well.