May Fittest Employee of the Month

I am honored to be selected as the fittest employee of the month, and I am very excited to have a chance to share my story and encourage my co-workers and NTCC students. I have alwaysstruggled with my weight, ever since I was a child. I distinctly remember realizing that I was chubby while playing with my sister and cousin in the sprinklers in my grandmother?s backyard. I suddenly realized that they were much smaller than I was, in my green polka-dot swimsuit with white ruffles. I realized I had bigger legs and a round belly, and they were stick thin. I was five years old.

Ever since then I have been constantly aware of my weight. I tried every diet in the book: the 50% diet, the Atkins diet, Zone, low fat diets, the don?t-eat-anything-diet. I can tell you, after years of experience, that although some of these diets can make a person thin, they do not make a person healthy. Furthermore, they are only a temporary fix to weight problems; as soon as the diet ends, the weight begins to creep back on. It wasn?t until I discovered exercise (specifically strength training) that I really gained control over my health and figure, and it?s been my buddy ever since. Cardio training is great, but I think many people underestimate the value and the benefits of training with weights. I would really like to encourage people who are trying to lose weight and re-shape their bodies and their health to give strength training, not just cardio, achance. It takes a little while to make a visual difference, but you will begin feeling better almost immediately. Your body will be stronger, healthier, and more resilient, and both the physical and psychological results will come faster. Make healthy eating and regular exercise a lifestyle, and you will be amazed at how easy it is to control your weight.

I wish you all great luck in your journey toward fitness and health. If a sweet-toothed, bread-loving snacker like myself can drop sixty pounds, anyone can!

Candace Bunow