Fit Family Challenge

When Holly Ackerman and her husband Wilson – a pair of working parents – volunteered for Lexington Family’s Fit Family Challenge, they realized that finding motivation to keep on track could be an obstacle.

Do you want to take Lexington Family’s Fit Family Challenge, too?
Small steps that get your family to move more can help all of you maintain a healthy weight.

“Pain is weakness leaving the body.”

This is one of the phrases my late husband, a Marine Corps veteran, used to quote when I would complain after a hard workout. It has certainly stuck with me and helped me through many difficult times. I think it’s the military’s version of the old adage (and Kelly Clarkson hit) “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.”

About five years ago, I was in the best shape of my life. I was a devoted runner and health fanatic. I had a great job that presented me with mental and physical challenges on a daily basis. I had gotten married earlier in the year, and six months later found out I was expecting a baby. Life was great!

Thanks to the advent of electronic medical records, Family Practice Associates in Lexington studied its client base and discovered a troubling pattern – 60% of patients were overweight or obese, according to Body Mass Index numbers.

When it comes to the Fit Family Challenge, Beth Purdy of Versailles has hit the ground running – literally.
When she was interviewed for this story in December, the 35-year-old single mother of 4-year-old Colleen ran five miles at lunchtime at work at Georgetown College. She is Director of International Student Services.