Congratulations to Lori Doggett, our September Fitness Patron of the Month!

I was surprised when Suzi asked me to be the Patron of the Month recently. After all, I’ve only been attending fitness classes for about 4-5 months. She and I recently had a conversation after class one day during which I shared a little bit about my background and my experience as a new participant and she explained that she thought it may help others on a similar path.

I worked for a Fortune 500 company for 40+ years. The last decade or so, I was the Senior HR Manager at a 450-employee facility in Denver. Once COVID hit, as an essential company, we remained on site and operating at full capacity. A couple of years of managing all that came with COVID in the workplace (masks, health screenings, social distancing while working together, constant reports to the health dept, COVID pay, ill and/or hospitalized employees, etc.) took a toll on me in every way.

I was exhausted mentally, emotionally and physically. I hit a wall in 2022, having the worst medical year of my life. Severe COVID in the Spring landed me in the ER twice. Then a myriad of medical issues related to stress and fatigue (heart racing, hand tremors, facial muscle spasms, etc.) required my first Leave of Absence in my entire career. I was out for 7 weeks in the Summer/early Fall, focusing on regaining my health. Then another visit to the ER in November, where I tested positive for acute Adult RSV. I was on full time oxygen at home for several weeks. My husband told the ER doctor that he feared if I didn’t make a big change, he would be burying me within a year. That was my wake-up call.

I retired from the company October 1, 2023. Even though we’ve lived in Frederick since 2008, my husband and I had never checked out the Rec Center. In November, we took a tour and realized we had been missing out! We signed up that day and attended the next Silver Sneakers Orientation. I was excited to get started, BUT – it took me another 3 months to get up the courage to actually go. I was selfconscious, knowing how out of shape I was and unsure of where to start. I owed it to myself and to my husband to get going. I want to be able to do all the things we’ve planned for the next chapter of our lives together.

I decided to try Tai Chi. I was welcomed and encouraged by everyone I encountered – staff members and participants alike. I enjoyed the class, and it felt great to just MOVE! I had been sedentary for so many years and had recently realized that I was actually hobbling and bent over when I walked. My 80 pound Labrador Retriever was frustrated when I walked her because I was so SLOW!

When the new Community Center opened, I forced myself to go to a different class… Silver Sneakers Circuit. I couldn’t do the whole class; my body just couldn’t do it. It didn’t matter... the trainers frequently call out a few options for moderating the intensity of the exercises to ensure that everyone is safe and included, no matter their fitness level. Even so, I had to take several mini breaks throughout the class to rest.

Over time, I became better able to keep up and get through the whole class. I am sometimes sore and a little stiff, but not painful. Now I really focus on proper form to get the most out of the class. I appreciate that the trainers talk about why a specific exercise is important, how it should feel while doing it, etc.

My confidence issues melted away after a few weeks and I heard from others in the class that the Balance and Beyond class was also terrific. I tried that, and wow, what an eye opener! I have a long way to go to improve my balance, but I’m working on it.

In my younger years, I participated in water aerobics and really enjoyed that, so I added Aqua Tabata at the Rec Center. Love it!

So now, my week is Balance and Beyond on Tuesdays, SS Circuit on Wednesdays, Aqua Tabata on Thursdays and I’m planning to add something on either Mondays or Fridays. The trainers are terrific. They are knowledgeable, upbeat and welcoming. They get to know the class participants and encourage us to keep going. They make it fun!

My goal is to improve my health. I’ve got more work to do but am on my way. I can walk my dog and keep a decent pace. I’m not hobbling, and my lower back isn’t bent over when I walk. I have energy. I hear the trainers’ voices in my head at home; “pick up your feet – no shuffling”, “shoulders back and down”, “do these stretches or balance exercises at home”, “sit up straight”, “no plopping down in the chair - sit, don’t plop”.

I am incredibly grateful for the encouragement and kindness extended to me over the past few months- by trainers, staff members and the other members who take advantage of the Rec and Community Centers. I’m paying it forward whenever I see an opportunity.