JANE
A dedicated 2nd Wind participants, Jane was one of our founding members. Always smiling and ready to work, she emulates the growth mindset.
I knew it was time to share her story. Here's our Q&A:
Q: What is your prior experience with exercise?
A: I really didn’t exercise until I was in my thirties. I began jogging with a friend in New Orleans — the weather, especially the heat, didn’t make that easy, but I was determined to be fit. I ultimately ran a 10K— the Crescent City Classic. However, jogging on concrete was not good for my knees. I gave up exercise for a number of years. As I got older, I realized how important exercise was to my health and went to Curves, then to a gym at the hospital where my husband works. I settled on aqua-cize as it eliminated the pain in my knees. When my grandson was diagnosed with leukemia, I worried about being out of touch while in the pool and switched to walking on the treadmill at the nearby gym where my husband and I belong. This helped a great deal with bone density. After some weight gain (after improving my eating habits and exercising 5-6 days a week for 30 minutes), my doctor suggested that I increase activity. Several months into a new regimen of 45 minutes per day, I suffered a stress fracture in my left foot that left me unable to exercise for 8 weeks. During that time, 2nd wind provided the only exercise I was able to do. Now, I’m back to the gym, doing both weight bearing and non-weight bearing exercise (trying to keep the osteoporosis at bay) and doing 2nd wind twice a week.
Q: Why did you decide to begin a new exercise program?
A: I needed some variety in exercise and I wanted to add to my regular walking.
Q: What were some of the criteria for your decision of where to go?
A: I both wanted to exercise and to connect with women my age—2nd Wind satisfied both goals. It also fit into my schedule (I work two jobs remotely and try to spend time with my grandchildren as well.)
Q: What made you choose 2nd Wind over another program?
A: The time for 2nd Wind works for me…I’m still able to pick up my youngest grandson from school if I need to, and get a workout at the gym in before 2nd Wind starts.
Q: How do you see yourself having improved the most since beginning:
A: I’m challenging my body to do things I haven’t done in decades, like sit ups!
Q: What are one or two of your most important fitness goals?
A: My goals are to keep active and fit for as long as I can. My 70th birthday is in April and I want to be active and healthy as I age. I’m trying to eat more meatless meals in an effort to both lose weight and feel strong.
Q: What do you enjoy most about working out with 2nd Wind?
A: I like the variety and the wonderful women who work out with me. Rebecca is encouraging and interested in each one of us. She tailored exercise to me when my foot was immobilized and my doctor wanted me to minimize movement.
Q: Would you recommend 2nd Wind to a friend?
A: Absolutely!
Quick to laugh and always playful, Jane makes our classes even more fun.
Great job putting in the work. It shows in your squats, deadlifts, dumbbell snatches, and ability to keep up with the workouts. You are a pleasure to have in class!
- Coach Rebecca
