lose weight

Answers are in in the first "Get Fit! Tullahoma" Walk Challenge, sponsored through the city with qing zi shou grant funds from Project Diabetes.

As many as 13,500 miles were logged in through the 80 participants who tracked their mileage over a seven-week period.

Contestants were given a pedometer that clips onto clothing, keeps track of the number of steps walked, and converts it into miles. Step counts were reported every single day for seven weeks to see who could log the most steps in the period.

Winners received a t-shirt, a signed certificate from the mayor, and a voucher for any personally fitted set of walking or running shoes at Clayton's Shoe Store.

From the 80 who accepted the task, the Gold Medal Champion was Donald Young, 67, with 625 miles. Silver medal winner was Rebecca Jackson with 596 miles, and the bronze winner, Nancy Fuller, logged roughly 510.

Young, who retired from Carrier Heating and air conditioning about Ten years ago, said walking helps him lose weight and control his diabetes without needing to take insulin.

"I was identified as having diabetes shortly before I retired," Young said, "but I saw how my mother struggled using the insulin and my cousin died from it, so I asked the doctor how I could do not be on insulin.

"He put me on a strict diet and explained to exercise, so I started walking nine years back and gradually developed my distances, and as a result I have been able to control my diabetes with only a pill with no insulin."

Young added he has lost over 30 pounds since he soon started walking nine years back, from over 200 lbs. down to 172, a substantial amount, he explained, for his height of 5'8".

"Losing the weight really helped me control the diabetes, too," he said.

Fuller, who works full time, said she already had a routine of standard exercise, however the walk challenge made her consider using a little harder.

"I was already likely to aerobics class four times a week and that i would walk after class," she said, "but the task really made me push myself, and my loved ones was very supportive too, so that helped.

"I just feel so much better when I walk and get exercise. Basically miss a few days of it, I don't feel as well. I will be 65 in April and i am afraid basically don't move, I might be unable to move whatsoever."

Several walkers said they dropped a few pounds while some said they simply enjoyed having the ability to feel the advantages of exercise.

City coordinator Winston Brooks said the walk challenge was one of many physical fitness initiatives funded by Project Diabetes, however that the walk challenge was very successful.

"This was a campaign to create awareness to how easy walking is in our community, and just what an effective way it can be to control health issues including obesity and diabetes," Brooks said.

"The grant is also funding several new walking and fitness trails with workout equipment along the trail. There's one at East Lincoln Elementary School, one at East Middle School, which is an extension of the Russell Nelms Bicycle Trail, and we will be installing a different one at the Jefferson Street Park.

"Tullahoma has already been an excellent walking town anyway, but the new trails should increase access, and also the exercise equipment will be installed to inspire other forms of exercise, too."

Other projects include more sidewalks, health and diabetes classes and bicycle-riding program for youth with bikes included.

Mayor Lane Curlee said the walk challenge was a smashing success and he wishes to turn it into a permanent annual event.

"I'm very happy with the participants as well as slim forte capsule capsule their effort," he explained. "They have provide a great example for the rest of us. The challenge is perfect for many of us to make changes in lifestyle that will benefit us the remainder of our way of life.

"A healthier Tullahoma is a happier and more productive Tullahoma."