I wanted to support and celebrate CIGNA's commitment to health.
Reasons for adopting an active lifestyle
I have always worked out and been active, but in spite of that, I managed to gain over 50 pounds as I entered my forties which resulted in developing acid reflux. I blamed stress. About two years ago, I decided that I no longer felt like myself. I had always struggled with ten pounds or so, but not fifty! It was like I was in someone else's body. I joined Weight Watchers and stepped up my workouts. I took up sculling and lost the fifty pounds over a year ago. I no longer have acid reflux and take no medications. This past May, at age 52, I won a gold medal at my first Masters sculling race, beating a woman eight years younger than me. I am not a natural athlete. I am able to do these things because I am motivated and I have fun and meet wonderful people in the process. I feel better and more fit now than I did ten years ago. I knew I had arrived when my 23 year old son said to me, "Mom, you are so young now!"
Why a healthy lifestyle is important
Living a healthy lifestyle has given me incredible joy in my life and has helped me through personal crises and dealing with everyday stresses. I want to be able to lead an active life in the second half of my life.
One piece of advice to help others live a healthier life
Just get started. Walking is the easiest thing and it can really get you going. Start out doing a mile on a treadmill or outside and move on from there in small increments. Find a buddy you can talk to while you are doing it as it is more fun and time passes more quickly. My final advice is get an iPod and listen to music while you exercise. It's the best thing I ever did. Good tunes can be very motivating if you are exercising alone. One last thing for my female colleagues: put yourself first in this one thing in life. You deserve it.
