Fit For Life - Kim Duke

By Kim Duke

As the end of summer approached, I eagerly awaited that back to school feeling. Buying school supplies, ordering school uniforms…begin making plans without the kids. Did I say that? Okay I confess. I love the kids being out for summer but somehow it throws my schedule off track and I’m often left feeling very unproductive at the end of the day. As most of us Sumner County residents know, we got an extended break this year. I know it had to be done, but I needed my schedule back!

Finally, the long awaited day arrived. First day of school starts. Then I get the call. A friend needs a sitter. Not for one day. Not two. But four!  Yes, maybe I am able to work on a flexible schedule and don’t have to punch a time clock but I was really looking forward to my mother’s day off. So I did what every good friend would do. I said, “Sure, I’d love to help!”  The baby was only four months old so how hard could it be. As far as I could remember, all a baby does is eat and sleep. No problem. I’ve got this! Or did I?

What I found was a new appreciation for stay at home moms that are still able to live a healthy lifestyle. I’ve been so confident that mothers should be able to stay active and eat well no matter what, but I didn’t consider how difficult that could be with a young child around.  As I begin my caretaker role I found that feeding the baby was the easy part. Feeding me was the real challenge. I can see how easy it is to fall in temptation of those quick treats and unhealthy eating because you’re constantly tending to the needs of the child. Even the task of showering can become a chore. How could you ever get in exercise too?

As I went through the days I often thought about what I could do to make the time more valuable for my health needs. As with most other areas of our lives it comes down to preplanning. Meals can be hard to prepare and eat when you have your arms full. Having food like raw veggies, nuts, or other easily accessible items make for a quick nutritional pick me up during those busy days. Keep water bottles close at hand to avoid excuses for not staying hydrated. Get out the stroller and let a walk become part of your daily routine. Babies love the outdoors and it’ll lift your spirits too.

I’ve said before there are no excuses to not live a healthy lifestyle. Sometimes you just have to get creative. Being a mother is a busy role. Allow yourself to be a healthy one too. By the way, I really enjoyed my time with the baby and I’d gladly do it again!   

A lot of people say that runners are a breed of their own. A local runner is proving that right by running 314 miles to Georgia. It’s important to set goals for ourselves but isn’t this taking it to the extreme? Not according to the Hendersonville Running Club.

Hendersonville Running Club has been gathering on Saturday mornings for at least the last seven years. Whether you are a beginner runner or a seasoned Boston Qualifier runner there is always a spot for you. The club was set up to promote running as a local fitness option and is helping others achieve their goals. What’s really great about this club is it’s free.

The motto of the club is “Build Friendships in Motion,” and that’s just what they are doing. Charlie Taylor, of Gallatin, is a member of the Hendersonville Running Club. Taylor is running the Last Annual Vol State Road Race. This is a 314 mile, 500km run across Tenn. ending in Castle Rock, Ga. Taylor has used his Facebook page to journal his miles with the public. There is an enormous amount of encouraging comments from people all around cheering him along the way. Pictures of blisters on his wall show that this was not an easy task but one that he has endured in spite of the pain.

Taylor’s not the only inspiration this running club has. There are others involved that are making a difference in our community and standing in for those that are unable to. On August 21, HRC is conducting their fifth Annual Run for the Fallen of Sumner County at The Streets of Indian Lake from 7-9 a.m. Family members of the fallen will attend and some will even run. Randy Smith, a retired Marine, is very involved in this event. Smith has a deep personal connection to this event as there are names of friends that served with him and were killed in action. He is not running just to get fit but to honor those friendships of those that he served with.

While there might be those that question the logic behind the long runs or the crazy attire these runners wear; when we dig deeper into the reasons behind the runs we find caring individuals that are just trying to inspire others. Let them be leaders, examples and fanatics. Let them prove that goals were meant to be set and records to be broken. Continue on, throughout your travels may you make many “Friendships in Motion.”

If you’d like to know more about Hendersonville Running Club visit their website at www.hendersonvillerunningclub.com or contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . There are many opportunities for you to get involved with this group throughout the week. Check their website for a schedule of runs.  

Isn’t it funny how easily our goals from the New Year begin to dwindle away as the months go by? Then it seems everyone’s in a panic as Spring Break approaches and it’s time to get our bodies back in shape. Studies have shown that there’s an increase in gym attendance about three weeks before break. That means that March has been a busy month for most of us.

As I’ve been talking about these last few months, fitness and nutrition should not be something that fades in and out. It should be something that we implement into our daily lives. So why is it so hard to keep the commitment? We clearly state our goals for the New Year and even invest in workout programs, new workout attire, and gym memberships. So why do we find ourselves feeling so guilty and like a complete failure when we go to put on that favorite swimsuit and it doesn’t fit?