Fit for Life - Kim Duke

By Kim Duke

What does being fit really mean? According to the dictionary it means to be in good physical condition or in good health. So we strive to lose weight, keep our cholesterol down, kick bad eating habits, and other things that will keep our body functioning the way it should. Is that really all there is to being fit?

The more I thought about this my heart was convicted.  Although having a healthy body is important there are still attributes that are needed to complete our goal of being fit for life. Having a sound mind and being free from the things that have bound us are just as important as the food that nourishes our bodies. Recently, I’ve been working one on one with others and trying to understand the cause of their weight issues. There was a common factor in each case. Hurt. Something in their lives had caused them pain and through that pain they lost themselves. Food became a replacement for joy and darkness and denial set in.

How do you escape that loneliness and find yourself again? You reach out to others. Support of others is the key to your success. Another common factor among these cases was each one of them found support and encouragement which then led them down a path of hope. They rediscovered their joy and found the peace that they had lost. Their physical goals are not yet met, but their dreams are alive again.

By Kim Duke

As the end of summer approached, I eagerly awaited that back to school feeling. Buying school supplies, ordering school uniforms…begin making plans without the kids. Did I say that? Okay I confess. I love the kids being out for summer but somehow it throws my schedule off track and I’m often left feeling very unproductive at the end of the day. As most of us Sumner County residents know, we got an extended break this year. I know it had to be done, but I needed my schedule back!

Finally, the long awaited day arrived. First day of school starts. Then I get the call. A friend needs a sitter. Not for one day. Not two. But four!  Yes, maybe I am able to work on a flexible schedule and don’t have to punch a time clock but I was really looking forward to my mother’s day off. So I did what every good friend would do. I said, “Sure, I’d love to help!”  The baby was only four months old so how hard could it be. As far as I could remember, all a baby does is eat and sleep. No problem. I’ve got this! Or did I?

A lot of people say that runners are a breed of their own. A local runner is proving that right by running 314 miles to Georgia. It’s important to set goals for ourselves but isn’t this taking it to the extreme? Not according to the Hendersonville Running Club.

Hendersonville Running Club has been gathering on Saturday mornings for at least the last seven years. Whether you are a beginner runner or a seasoned Boston Qualifier runner there is always a spot for you. The club was set up to promote running as a local fitness option and is helping others achieve their goals. What’s really great about this club is it’s free.

The motto of the club is “Build Friendships in Motion,” and that’s just what they are doing. Charlie Taylor, of Gallatin, is a member of the Hendersonville Running Club. Taylor is running the Last Annual Vol State Road Race. This is a 314 mile, 500km run across Tenn. ending in Castle Rock, Ga. Taylor has used his Facebook page to journal his miles with the public. There is an enormous amount of encouraging comments from people all around cheering him along the way. Pictures of blisters on his wall show that this was not an easy task but one that he has endured in spite of the pain.

Lightning bugs, sweaty kids, long days and the smell of fresh cut grass. These are the signs of summer to me! We’ve gone from being on schedules to carefree days and endless nights. Eating multiple desserts on a hot day may seem to be acceptable now, yet the rest of the year we wouldn’t dare indulge in these temptations.  With so much play how can we ensure we’re maintaining good eating habits?

With summer time being my favorite season I’m determined to show my family that healthy eating can be accomplished without having to sacrifice taste. Using the wonderful foods that nature has provided us with during this time of the year, we can create unlimited recipes that the entire family can enjoy and feel good about eating.  Fresh fruits and colorful vegetables can be exactly what are needed to make even the pickiest child eat their veggies.

Seeing how I love being so active I decided to start running. This was not something that came natural for me. It was something that I spontaneously decided to do since I was involved in other endurance activities. As soon as I started my new adventure there were 5k races advertised everywhere I looked. Having such a competitive spirit I knew I had to enter these races. After all, I wasn’t even a runner but my time was getting pretty good. Now that I was plugged into the running community I begin to hear so much about the Music City Half Marathon. That was it! I’m going to run the half marathon!

Isn’t it funny how easily our goals from the New Year begin to dwindle away as the months go by? Then it seems everyone’s in a panic as Spring Break approaches and it’s time to get our bodies back in shape. Studies have shown that there’s an increase in gym attendance about three weeks before break. That means that March has been a busy month for most of us.

As I’ve been talking about these last few months, fitness and nutrition should not be something that fades in and out. It should be something that we implement into our daily lives. So why is it so hard to keep the commitment? We clearly state our goals for the New Year and even invest in workout programs, new workout attire, and gym memberships. So why do we find ourselves feeling so guilty and like a complete failure when we go to put on that favorite swimsuit and it doesn’t fit?

Having a strong support group will help you achieve and maintain your goals. Trying to keep up healthy habits and an active lifestyle can be very stressful unless you have others on board with you. Have you ever tried to eat healthy during a business lunch with others around you enjoying food that you’ve tried so hard to avoid? It’s hard and it can be frustrating when you feel like you’re missing out on something and being punished for wanting to feel better. Make it known to others what your goals are. Start a challenge with your friends or co-workers. There are a lot of companies now that have started Biggest Loser Challenges. Employers realize that when people are healthier they make better employees which can also decrease the cost of health insurance.

There’s no easy way to lose weight but there are simple steps to get started. Set small realistic goals for yourself. Achieving small goals will inspire you to continue forward whereas trying to do too much may cause you to become overwhelmed and leave you ready to give up. Reward yourself! Each time you workout put a dollar in a jar. Then when you’ve reached a goal use that money to treat yourself. Having the visual of making progress will keep you motivated.

When you take the stress out of getting into shape and replace it with a desire to be healthy, it will benefit you all around. Stress releases a hormone called cortisol which can slow down your metabolism causing weight gain. Try relaxing techniques like yoga, journaling, or walking. These activities benefit your health and peace of mind.

So forget the crash diets, and numerous hours on the treadmill. Let today be a new day. Set a goal, work towards it, and relax. You’ll find not only are you going to achieve it faster, but you’ll feel better in the process of getting to it.  Don’t allow yourself to feel guilty for falling off the wagon. Just get back up and keep moving forward!

Columnist Kim Duke can be reached at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

I don’t claim to be a big sports fan but, as you know, Super Bowl XVI was the most watched event in American history. Over a hundred million people watched as two teams battled for the championship. I have to admit, I was not one of those millions of people. However, there is something to be said about a 47 year old mother of two being able to energetically perform the half time show without even breaking a sweat. Madonna got my attention alright.  But honestly, what average woman could ever find the time that Madonna has to eat right and stay in shape? Not many!