January 30, 2007 12:03 PM

Fitness Challenge participants David and Arlene Boyle

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Mark_Wolf(P) Welcome to the discussion with Arlene and David Boyle about their experiences with the Rocky's Fitness Challenge. Our health/fitness editor Lisa Ryckman is also online and available for questions. Please post your questions now.

Mark_Wolf(Q) Tell us about your backgrounds, please. I understand you're both retired teachers.
Dave_and_Arlene(A) Arlene: I taught 34 years at the elementary level in Kansas, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, and Florida. Dave: I taught six years of public school music,13 years of music education at Penn State, and 19 years in the School of Music at the University of Miami.

Mark_Wolf(Q) Why did you decide to paticipate in the Fitness Challenge?
Dave_and_Arlene(A) We have been runners for a number of years, but were slowing down in more ways than one. Also, we read about the previous fitness cycle and it sounded like something we needed.

Lisa_Ryckman(Q) What's been the most difficult part of the Challenge for you?
Dave_and_Arlene(A) Arlene: Trying to keep eating under control. David: Keeping up with the challenges our trainer creates for us. About the time I can do something with a given weight, he then increases the weight on the next go round.
Lisa_Ryckman(Q) What foods tempt you most, Arlene?
Dave_and_Arlene(A) Arlene: Most everything, such as potato chips and nuts.
Lisa_Ryckman(P) Well, nuts can be excellent for you, particularly walnuts and almonds -- unsalted, of course. But it's easy to overdo them.

Mark_Wolf(Q) Give us an idea of what you were doing for exercise before you got involved with the Fitness Challenge?
Dave_and_Arlene(A) Both: We had been runners for 20 plus years, and our last marathon was in December in 2005 (the New Las Vegas Marathon), but since then we had become somewhat lax in the consistency of our running--some treadmill and light weight, but not consistently.

Lisa_Ryckman(Q) What are your fitness goals? How has your trainer, Chad, helped you get closer to achieving those?
Dave_and_Arlene(A) Arlene: To continue to reduce body fat, build muscle, and continue fitness training. Also, to get back in shape to run a fall 2007 marathon with a goal of finishing in five hours, which is the qualifying time for my age group for the Boston Marathon. Dave: My goals are essentially the same as Arlene's, but especially to build strenth and endurance for running. I now realize that I needed to build upper body strength to complement my running.

Lisa_Ryckman(P) Chad seems to have you on a routiine that's designed to make you go farther faster, and with less effort.
Lisa_Ryckman(Q) What do you do to motivate each other?
Dave_and_Arlene(A) Both: Not really anything special. We've trained together for running for many years, but now realize as we get slightly older that we need more than miles of running. We always have enjoyed setting goals together, and we think the fitness program is definitely a worthwhile goal in itself, but also a means to improve our running.

Lisa_Ryckman(Q) What's the best thing that Chad has taught you?
Dave_and_Arlene(A) Both: First of all, he is a VERY conscientious trainer, and provides a wide variety of exercises to strengthen various muscles. He provides helpful theoretical information as well as stressing the use of proper form in doing the various exercises. He's also very helpful in guiding us related to calorie intake and balance among the various food groups.

Lisa_Ryckman(Q) Dave, how do you think Arlene has been doing? What grade would you give her, and why? Same questions to you, Arlene, about Dave.
Dave_and_Arlene(A) Dave re Arlene: Arlene is very conscientious and does much better followup than I do. Sometimes, however, she lapses on the food bit. I'd give her a grade of A for effort and commitment, and perhaps a B for accomplishment thus far. Arlene re Dave: Dave works very hard to increase upper body strength and form. I'd give him an A for "hanging in there." He does great with the food except for the daily serving of ice cream--just a small bowl with chocolate syrup.
Lisa_Ryckman(P) It's a good idea to treat yourself. If you deny yourself all the foods you love, you're much more likely to binge.

Lisa_Ryckman(Q) How have you surprised yourself during this Challenge?
Dave_and_Arlene(A) Both: Despite Chad's hard-working, no-nonsense approach, we still look forward to our twice weekly sessions and look forward to going to work with Chad. Also, despite the snow every week, we've been able to make it down the mountain for all of our sessions.
Lisa_Ryckman(P) That's real dedication. I know Chad has been very impressed by your commitment, despite the ridiculous weather conditions.
Lisa_Ryckman(P) But that's the kind of effort that brings results.

neilg33(C) Hi! I just logged on and saw Lisa's message about not denying yourself and I totally agree. One of the reasons we don't create meal plans is that drastically changing the foods we eat smacks of diet too much for us. That's why we always tell our clients not to deny themselves, but just watch those portion sizes.
Lisa_Ryckman(P) Great advice!

Lisa_Ryckman(Q) What kind of feedback have you gotten from family and/or friends?
Dave_and_Arlene(A) Both: The feedback from our adult children and grandchildren has been extremely positive. Each of them is into fitness for him or her self. In fact one of our daughters-in-law is a fitness instructor in another city and had encouraged us to get involved with a trainer.
Lisa_Ryckman(P) Families like yours are inspirational. It also shows the impact that older generations can have on younger ones. If you want to get your kids moving....start moving yourself!

Mark_Wolf(Q) As the most mature participants in the challenge what advice would you give to others in your age group - David is 72, Arlene is 71 - about starting and staying with a regular fitness progam?
Dave_and_Arlene(A) Both: Like a lot of other things, use it or lose it. Our goal is keep healthy enough to enjoy the quality of life as we get older and older.
neilg33(C) It's absolutely NEVER too late to get in shape. We have a 79 year old member who is getting stronger right now!
Lisa_Ryckman(P) One of the reasons I chose Dave and Arlene for the Challenge is that they are VERY fit older adults with very ambitious -- and very achievable -- goals.
Lisa_Ryckman(P) You are so right, Neil. Sometimes people think that physical decline is inevitable with age. It ain't so.

Mark_Wolf(Q) What are the rules of 3?
Dave_and_Arlene(A) Both: The rules three are (1) no eating three hours before bed, (2) eat at least every three hours during the day, and (3) breakfast should be about 300 calories. (Where do you think we last read this?)

Mark_Wolf(Q) When the Challenge is over, do you see yourselves continuing to work in the gym or tranferring the instruction to your home?
Dave_and_Arlene(A) Both: We plan to continue with Chad (we haven't warned him about this yet) and continue with our running and off-day exercises at home.

Mark_Wolf(P) Thanks to Dave and Arlene for their time and for talking about their participation in the Fitness Challenge. Good luck with the rest of the program.
Lisa_Ryckman(P) Thank you for being such great Challengers, Dave and Arlene. I'm sure you inspire a lot of people out there. Keep up the great work!