By Dan Courtney, NIFS Correspondent

Arthritis and three surgeries on her knees in 1999 had immobilized Patty Davis. She was forced to lie around the house, which in turn caused her to gain weight. Water aerobics had become boring and tiresome to her. Davis needed a solution with a balanced exercise program.

“I noticed an ad in the training book for the mini-marathon,” said Davis. That ad was for one of the many programs offered by the National Institute for Fitness and Sport.

Davis immediately called NIFS Wellness Coordinator Nicole Haywood to inquire about the Women’s LivLite Advantage program. She was too late for the start of that session, so she enrolled in the fall program in 2003. By the end of the 12-week LivLite Program, she had lost 20 pounds.

“LivLite is more structured and more of an information-gathering process,” explained Haywood. “Along with talking nutrition, we have an exercise program.”

Davis began eating “the right kinds of food” including more fruits and vegetables and less ice cream and Diet Cokes. She also found new exercise tools such as the rowing machine, stretch bands, resistance balls and yoga to be much more enticing than water aerobics. As of August 2004, Davis had shed 45 pounds from her 5-foot-6 frame.

“I’m picking up muscle, and seeing the weight loss in my clothes by dropping four dress sizes,” said Davis proudly. “It’s nice when people can tell you have lost weight.”

Not only has Davis lost the weight, but this past spring she lowered her time in the 5K race that is part of the annual 500 Festival Mini-Marathon. She has been aided in her NIFS classes and exercises by friend Trish McComas.

“I think we’re both determined,” said McComas, who has lost 32 pounds since joining NIFS. “When one gets down, the other one picks us up.”

When Davis volunteered recently at the Children’s Bureau of Project Safe Place, she was standing for a better part of a 3-hour shift and had no problems with her knees. A year ago she couldn’t even attend the event because of her knee problems.

Davis is currently enrolled in the Lite‘N Up for Life support program that meets every Thursday night at NIFS. It has been an integral tool to help her maintain the weight loss and motivation.

“This is just another example of how consistency (in eating and exercising) pays off,” said Haywood.

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