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FIGHTING BATTLE OF THE BULGE
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| Move it: Jo DeWitt gets her class moving during a body sculpt/pilates workout offered weekly at Frontier Fitness Center located on State Route 80. (Thelma Grimes/photo.) |
You've got to move it in stress-filled world
Thelma Grimes/San Pedro ValleyNews-Sun
With temperatures in the upper 80s over the last week, and a lot of talk about an early spring, it's not a bad time to start getting in shape for wearing those tank tops, shorts and sundresses.
Jo DeWitt, owner of the Frontier Fitness center on State Route 80, said with today's high-stress atmosphere and the go, go, go lifestyle, exercising is needed now more than ever.
"Exercise and good eating habits help with relieving stress, reducing the risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, osteoporosis, increased bone health, better night sleep, weight loss and more," DeWitt said. "When someone tells me that they can now walk up the stairs to their front door without pain, or the need to use the hand rail, that is success. Or they have dropped their blood sugar levels by 120 points, that is success. After 28 years of doing this, I love seeing the success and accomplishment others feel and how it has changed their lives."
At one time, San Pedro Valley residents could have said exercising is tough because of the lack of programs in the area. But that is no longer the case.
DeWitt, besides offering gym memberships where residents can come and work out alone, also teaches numerous fitness classes.
Monday through Friday, Frontier Fitness offers classes ranging from yoga and pilates to step and boot camps. For more information, contact Frontier Fitness at 586-3326.
Besides Frontier Fitness, Curves is also a growing establishment in the Benson area. Located on 4th Street, the center doesn't just focus on getting women up and moving, it also has a weight-loss program.
Debbie Miller said they will initiate weight-loss classes March 3, and every Tuesday thereafter at 6:45 p.m., and another Wednesday class beginning March 4 at 12:15 p.m.
Miller said the class is free of charge, and is being held to help residents get a handle on weight loss and what they need to do to transition into a healthier lifestyle. For more information contact Miller at 586-2477.
DeWitt said taking advantage of the fitness center and classes helps people get more motivated by having interactions with others.
"For some it could be a positive social atmosphere," she said. "For some it is accountability, meeting with workout buddies, seeing each other on the street or at the store, and asking 'where have you been? We've missed you.' Here and Frontier Fitness, we consider the members an extended part of our family. Just as Weight Watchers' success is largely based on accountability and socialization, success in a fitness center is also largely determined by accountability."
Helga Hicks, a Mescal resident, attends DeWitt's body sculpt/pilates class each week.
"This is great, she said. "To have found it here is so wonderful. We are winter visitors, and I took classes for two months, and I come as often as I can."
With about eight women in the class, DeWitt kept them moving with work on their entire bodies, and as she got their pulses going and sweat dripping, all agreed that it was a good program to participate in.
Besides Curves, Weight Watchers is also an active program in the area, with weekly classes being held at the Arizona Electric Power Cooperative every Thursday. Another weight loss program is Taking off Pounds Sensibly. For more information, contact Ruth Coleman at 720-4620.
Also in Benson, there are several exercise programs being offered, including an aerobics class every Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 5:30 p.m. to 6:15 p.m. For information, call 720-6044.
Marilyn Hendricks, a clinical dietitian at the Benson Hospital, said besides eating right, it is very important for adults and children to get up and get moving.
Hendricks said for those who can't do regular exercise, there are swimming programs in the Benson area that are useful.
The Cochise RV Park allows pool memberships, and during the summer, the City of Benson has a swimming pool open on Union Street.
Benson's Dr. Carter Mayberry agreed with Hendricks that more and more programs are becoming available in the rural community. It just takes the effort and commitment to make it work.
Thelma Grimes/San Pedro ValleyNews-Sun
With temperatures in the upper 80s over the last week, and a lot of talk about an early spring, it's not a bad time to start getting in shape for wearing those tank tops, shorts and sundresses.
Jo DeWitt, owner of the Frontier Fitness center on State Route 80, said with today's high-stress atmosphere and the go, go, go lifestyle, exercising is needed now more than ever.
"Exercise and good eating habits help with relieving stress, reducing the risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, osteoporosis, increased bone health, better night sleep, weight loss and more," DeWitt said. "When someone tells me that they can now walk up the stairs to their front door without pain, or the need to use the hand rail, that is success. Or they have dropped their blood sugar levels by 120 points, that is success. After 28 years of doing this, I love seeing the success and accomplishment others feel and how it has changed their lives."
At one time, San Pedro Valley residents could have said exercising is tough because of the lack of programs in the area. But that is no longer the case.
DeWitt, besides offering gym memberships where residents can come and work out alone, also teaches numerous fitness classes.
Monday through Friday, Frontier Fitness offers classes ranging from yoga and pilates to step and boot camps. For more information, contact Frontier Fitness at 586-3326.
Besides Frontier Fitness, Curves is also a growing establishment in the Benson area. Located on 4th Street, the center doesn't just focus on getting women up and moving, it also has a weight-loss program.
Debbie Miller said they will initiate weight-loss classes March 3, and every Tuesday thereafter at 6:45 p.m., and another Wednesday class beginning March 4 at 12:15 p.m.
Miller said the class is free of charge, and is being held to help residents get a handle on weight loss and what they need to do to transition into a healthier lifestyle. For more information contact Miller at 586-2477.
DeWitt said taking advantage of the fitness center and classes helps people get more motivated by having interactions with others.
"For some it could be a positive social atmosphere," she said. "For some it is accountability, meeting with workout buddies, seeing each other on the street or at the store, and asking 'where have you been? We've missed you.' Here and Frontier Fitness, we consider the members an extended part of our family. Just as Weight Watchers' success is largely based on accountability and socialization, success in a fitness center is also largely determined by accountability."
Helga Hicks, a Mescal resident, attends DeWitt's body sculpt/pilates class each week.
"This is great, she said. "To have found it here is so wonderful. We are winter visitors, and I took classes for two months, and I come as often as I can."
With about eight women in the class, DeWitt kept them moving with work on their entire bodies, and as she got their pulses going and sweat dripping, all agreed that it was a good program to participate in.
Besides Curves, Weight Watchers is also an active program in the area, with weekly classes being held at the Arizona Electric Power Cooperative every Thursday. Another weight loss program is Taking off Pounds Sensibly. For more information, contact Ruth Coleman at 720-4620.
Also in Benson, there are several exercise programs being offered, including an aerobics class every Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 5:30 p.m. to 6:15 p.m. For information, call 720-6044.
Marilyn Hendricks, a clinical dietitian at the Benson Hospital, said besides eating right, it is very important for adults and children to get up and get moving.
Hendricks said for those who can't do regular exercise, there are swimming programs in the Benson area that are useful.
The Cochise RV Park allows pool memberships, and during the summer, the City of Benson has a swimming pool open on Union Street.
Benson's Dr. Carter Mayberry agreed with Hendricks that more and more programs are becoming available in the rural community. It just takes the effort and commitment to make it work.
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