The Rocky Fitness Challenge

Source: By Lisa Ryckman, Health & Fitness Editor, Rocky Mountain News
December 28, 2004

In three months, they've lost 43 years and 106 pounds.

All I can say is - "wow".

Halfway through our Rocky Fitness Challenge, my nine moms have run, jumped and lifted their way to new heights of fitness. Weight loss has ranged from six pounds to 17, causing some of them to happily ditch their "fat" clothes for something more fitted. All have gotten younger, too, shaving years off their wellness age, which reflects how their fitness level compares with that of their peers.

"They're just amazing," said Debbie Reiman, wellness director at the Denver Athletic Club, as she ran the moms through assessments of their aerobic health, flexibility and body composition. "What they've lost is fat. They've retained their muscle mass."

The moms credit perseverance, family support and Denise Tryner - Drill Sgt. Denise - at Bootcamp360 for their success, but they also help motivate each other.

"We e-mail each other all the time," says Judy Lutkin, who has lost 17 pounds. "This group of women is truly inspirational. They have such a great spirit and a sense of humor, too! That sense of humor has been really important along the way."

Being fitter has boosted their confidence, too. At Thanksgiving, six of them ran 4 miles in the Turkey Trot. Maria Gonzalez has started swimming laps. La Shon Vincent has taken up wall climbing. Judy plans to go snowshoeing in February, and she's looking forward to keeping up.

"I'm confident I won't hold anyone back during the trek up the mountain," she said. "These women are true athletes, and I feel very comfortable in that group now."

Maria has had to battle bad eating habits born of cultural beliefs. Her mother equated chubbiness with good health, so there was always lots of food around when she was growing up. Now that Maria's the mom, she's decided to take her family down a path to better health.

"I do my own grocery shopping, so who do I have to blame but myself?" Maria said. "I've made a commitment to myself, and I have to just go forward with that. It was really a matter of saying, 'Enough is enough.'

"It's just a matter of taking charge."