Success Story: Back to Health

Many people reach a turning point when they realize they must start living healthier.

For Rose Newman, it came on vacation in Costa Rica.

At 59, she was disappointed to find herself hanging back at the hotel with the older relatives when others were hiking and enjoying the outdoors.

“I was the fat lady who didn’t want to be on vacation,” she recalls.

Back home, she started walking and then found small group training at a fitness center. Although arthritis makes running difficult, Rose began enrolling in 5K walks and training for “aqua-bike” races, which combine swimming and bicycling.

She wanted to lose 60 pounds before turning 60, blew away that goal by dropping 80 — and is now heading toward 100. She’s dropped 12 sizes and no longer needs medicine for high blood pressure.

“It’s really been a fun journey,” says Rose. “I’ve set myself up for success going forward in life.”

She exercises six days a week, usually in small groups or with an individual trainer. “It’s playtime for me to go to the gym,” she says. “It’s fun to see what my body can do.”

The longtime vegetarian also cut back on “white food” carbohydrates like pasta, bread and rice.

Next up are indoor “rock” climbing and returning to Costa Rica.

“I’m going back this year and looking forward to going on those hikes,” Rose says.