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Drive and
devotion:
fit couples
By Mike Gullickson PHOTO COURTESY OF BOB AND JUDY WORTH
Editor’s Note: Each December, half of all Having a workout partner increases your chances of sticking to a long-term fit-
Americans resolve to get fit in the new year. ness plan. A partner or friend can make the time pass more quickly and prevent
And each year, most of those resolutions fail. you from cancelling on your workout.
But did you know that you’re more likely to
achieve your goals if you’re joined by a part- talk. When you’re walking you can just be! fit around 2005. That was the year I ran
ner? In the interest of helping you reach your my first marathon, then shortly after we
fitness goals in 2017, writer Mike Gullickson Jeff and JJ Parker trained together for a half marathon. This
asked three fit Sun City couples how they led to adventure racing which required
managed to stay fit together. My wife JJ forced me to begin working navigation, running, paddling and biking.
out prior to our marriage, a little over
My partner and I walk together, work out three years ago. I had no idea just how I found out there was a mountain bike
together, trek the Outback together… well, bad a shape I was in - I was pushing 250 trail that went from Canada to Mexico
perhaps that last part is untrue. But the pounds on a 6 foot 2 inch frame. Needless and I couldn’t get it out of my mind. With
couples profiled here have lived lives of to say, I was not a small person. enough prodding, I was finally able to
adventure while keeping one another fit, talk Jim into it. We lived in Houston and
enhancing their lives and lifespans. I attempted an exercise called a “back hy- trained in parking garages.
perextension” and found I could do exactly
Judy and Bob Worth zero reps. I lacked the strength to pull The ride began in Columbia Falls, Mon-
After a double-date at a restaurant, Bob myself up. I made the decision then and tana, just south of the Canadian border.
and I felt so full that I said on a dare, “Can there to get myself back into something Our first week was tough. We were on our
you walk all the way back to my home?” resembling decent shape. bikes 12 to 14 hours a day, often climbing
We’ve been walking ever since. After 47 2,000 to 4,000 feet. To ride on a bicycle
years of marriage, I can honestly count After six months of working out, I looked is to slow down and really take every-
the days we missed walking on one hand. at my calves and wondered why my socks thing in, from sights to smells. It took 27
left a curved spot on my legs. Once JJ days to reach Mexico, riding 2,251 miles
We play pickleball and work out at the stopped laughing she said that it wasn’t across five states through some of the most
fitness center, but walking is our passion. a sock mark, it was muscle definition. beautiful backroads I’ve ever seen. It was
Once, we counted the miles we’d walked What!? I’d never had definition before. a trip of a lifetime, and I did it with my
and found that, in less than eight months, best friend and husband, Jim.
we had walked the equivalent of the entire Now we go to the gym at least four times a
country – all while we were still working! week. It’s a mile and a half walk, which I We still do lots of riding together and
try to do in 22.5 minutes. I do weights for walk the trails in Sun City and at Lake
Being out in nature and clearing your 30 minutes at a cardio pace. Afterwards, Georgetown. I enjoy running the trails,
head is one of the best things anyone can we walk home together to begin our day. and Jim likes to walk them, to which he
do for themselves. You don’t even have to The effort shows in our weight, bodies states this: “The story of my life, I’ve been
and minds. chasing my wife for 27 years.”
Fitness Center suggestions
for couples’ workouts I am now down to 202 pounds. I still get Always consult with your doctor about
Country Western 2-Step • TD sore, but now that soreness can be traced health concerns or before beginning an
Wednesday, 5 & 6 p.m., back to actual workouts, not merely mus- exercise regimen.
Series class cle weakness.
Cross Training • CC
Monday, Wednesday 4:15 p.m. Michele and Jim Willis
Friday 9:15 a.m.
Senior Boot Camp • CC My husband Jim and I started getting
Monday, Wednesday 2 p.m.
Tuesday, Thursday 5:45 p.m.
32 | SUNRAYS JANUARY 2017 ONLINE: SCTEXAS.ORG
