...I remember when I could not even run a mile and then I ran non-stop! I am so happy and proud of myself and you helped every step of the way. This was an awesome summer....Chris
...I love you guys so much! You have really changed my life. I will never forget you. This camp is great. I have made life long friends and all thanks to you guys....Jeff
...I have become more confident and I have learned if I work hard I can do anything. I have friends that I KNOW like ME....Kate
...Thank you for teaching me everything I need to do in order to live to be healthy and 150! Ha Ha I never had so much fun at any other camp! All in all, thank you for changing my life so drastically...Jennifer
...Thanks for helping me through the thick and thin and those days I felt fat....Sam
...Thank you for the greatest gift of all---Health and Knowledge...Reyn
...Thank you for being such a great help. His doctor could not believe it was him. They are so happy with the results we are looking forward to him being taken off the medications! His blood sugar is doing really great. This is a really big step for him, he has wanted to get off them for so long and it looks like he is in such control that it is going to happen....you have helped him in such a positive way.....Nico's mom
...We sent to camp an insecure boy who never would leave his room and got back a well adjusted, confident, outgoing young man. He walks taller. He talks to people. He likes himself. He knows he can do what he sets out to do now.....David's mom
...I have never seen my daughter smile the way she is now. Thank you, thank you, thank you....Kaytie's dad
...thank you for helping to change Jamie's life and therefore also changing our family's life. Jamie grew up a lot at camp. She certainly has more confidence in herself and it shows in every aspect of her life.............Jamie's mom
...I had to write to tell you how thrilled I am with the "new" Jeff. His confidence level is off the charts. Sending Jeff was the best decision I've ever made on his behalf. Thank you, thank you for what you have done for our family. Personally, I feel the weight of the world has been lifted from my shoulders. Jeff does a wonderful job taking responsibility....I trust his judgement. He worked hard at camp and it really paid off. He looks wonderful and feels wonderful....He really became a teenager at camp. He was very shy and introverted, but now he is a poised, confident extrovert and he makes his bed! Thank you again for the work you are both doing. I know Jeff will remember you forever, and the golden opportunity he received being at camp...Jeff's mom
...Sarah simply said, "It was the BEST summer of my life!" and gave us huge hugs and kisses. Last summer Sarah spent 21 days in Europe. She said she had a good time. She took over 700 pictures which she never seemed to find time to get developed.....she had bought t-shirts, postcards, souvenirs, all the typical things one saves to remember their adventures. THIS summer she came home with clothing, not purchased but exchanged with her new friends to remember them by, 300 pictures which she took to be developed immediately and an action plan. She has a schedule for the gym, a plan "A" and "B" for handling lunches at school, a caloric and fat driven menu for us at home. The menu doesn't have the exact food item we are to prepare just a calorie count which allows for personal taste and the flexibility to buy items that are on sale that week at the grocery store. An approach that is success driven and failure proof. We are shocked by the simplicity....Our daughter is really happy and "you" can take all the credit! Someone once wrote: "Success is where preparation meets opportunity". This describes your program to a "T". We will always be grateful God allowed our paths to cross.....Sarah's mom and dad
It helps remind me that I made a difference this summer....for the first time in my life, I am really comfortable with who I am.......2007
Working for you has been a truly rewarding experience. This has been one of the most challenging and rewarding jobs I have ever had. I feel like I gained a new family over the past 8 weeks.......2009
I hope you all had as much fun as I did and will aim for a healthier lifestyle too.....2005
I learned not to judge people.....2009
I really wanted to thank you both for the incredible opportunity and for all the memories that I will have for the rest of my life. Thanks for the best summer job I will ever have....2008
Race Participant--Cheryl Connor's Article
Approximately 17 years ago I had 2 rods inserted into my back due to an injury and I was laid up for 2 years. Prior to my injury and subsequent surgeries I was very athletic and always in shape. Along with the injury I gained weight putting on several pounds. I then got married in 1997 and accordingly continued to put on weight.
Approximately 3 years ago I sustained another injury which consisted of a torn rotator cuff and broken shoulder. I guess you could say that was when I had my epiphany. After my injury I found everyday activities increasingly harder and unacceptable. I realized how out of shape I had become over the years. And that my weight and overall fitness were out of control.
The above injuries are not the only ones I have sustained through my life but I think they affected me the most.
I let the injuires take control of me and how I lived my life and found it easier just to say I can't than to say I will keep trying.
After recovering from my injury (6 months had passed) I then decided that I needed to get things on the right path. I knew that strengthening the muscles around my injuries could only help.
I proceeded to join the gym and started working out a little every day gradually adding more workout time. Every minute you add is another minute closer to your goal.
Not everyone can afford to join a gym. Nature provides us with the best workout there is. You don't have to have expensive equipment to benefit. Walking outside is free, climbing a hill is free. Just get up, go out and do it. Walk outside to your mailbox today. Walk twice to your mailbox tomorrow and before you know it you will be around the block in no time. Find a buddy to walk with to help keep you motivated like the Living Well Foundation recommends. Buy a pair of jeans in a smaller size and put them where you can see them to keep you motivated, if it cost you $30 for those jeans but it keeps you walking and moving then it is worth it. Whether you choose to join a gym or workout at home.....JUST START!
I, more than anyone, know how hard it is to get started and how uncomfortable and intimidating it can be in the gym. But you have to say "so what! I don't care, I am here to get healthy for me."
You never know that one day someone just like you will see you and say to themselves "if she can do then so can I."
I eventually went from doing cardio training 20-30 minutes a day EVERY DAY to now being able to do cardio4 hours at at time. During this process I also discovered I still enjoy getting out and running. Mind you that I didn't start out being able to run at all. I remember my first time running and I ran maybe 5 minutes and thought my heart was going to beat out of my chest BUT I DIDN'T STOP. I walked and then I ran, I walked and then I ran a little longer. Before you knew it I was walking less and less and running further and further.
I actually started running official runs St. Patrick's Day 2009. In July 2009 I registered to do BIX. BIX is a 7 mile run in Iowa and I was determined to do this. Well, as luck would have it I sustained an injury the first week in July. I dislocated my hip running. BIX was approximately 2 1/2 weeks away. The doctor adjusted my hip and said I needed to take some time off. I took one day off and then I was back in the gym. Six days after my injury I proceeded to run 4.5 miles on the treadmill, not my best run but I did it!
I decided that I was not going to let my injury stop me. It might slow me down but it won't keep me down.
I then bought a bike. I figured this would take the strain off of my hips while still enabling me to exercise.
The BIX race came around and I was there. I completed the 7 miles. I may have had to walk part of it, but I accomplished my goal and did not give up. During the race I had the opportunity to quit at the 2 mile mark, but I was not going to give up. Giving up is easy---finishing what you started isn't always easy, but the self gratification you earn is worth it.
I now run at least 2 or 3 official road races a month. I continue to run or walk outside as much as possible (at least 5 days a week) weather permitting and if not outside in the gym. Cardio is a big part of my life but not the only part. When you exercise to lose weight you must also incorporate weight training into your schedule along with proper nutrition.
During this process I came to the realization that I wanted not only to continue in my quest to be healthy but to someday inspire others who think it is impossible to work through it---that they can see me and see it is worth not giving up.
I believe my many injuries and struggles with weight loss will be beneficial for those who aer in the same situation that I was once in. I am not where I want to be yet, but I will make it. I invite anyone to join me in coming along for the ride so we can achieve it together.
Remember even if you can only do a little--you just need to start somewhere. Every time you go a little farther and eat a little better then you are closer to your goal. Before you know it, you too can run with me.
Even though I came in last place, I completed the Living Well Foundation's Spring Into Wellness 10K. This race was sponsored by Camp Jump Start in an effort to keep families in training.
My new goal is running in and completing the "Go St. Louis Half Marathon", April 11, 2010 (13.1 miles). Wish me luck,
Cheryl Connor
