By Dan Courtney, NIFS Correspondent

Nikki Perry literally reached her exercise peak last fall when she climbed to the top of Virginia’s Massanutten Mountain in Shenandoah National Park.

Perry’s story is amazing considering she is blind in her left eye and has tunnel vision in her right. A victim of diabetes for 28 years, she was also overweight before the National Institute for Fitness and Sport came to the rescue.

“I had to sit around for a year after eye surgery and I was slowly gaining weight. Because of my medical problems, my physical activity was nonexistent,” said Perry, a Carmel resident.

That’s when Perry’s kidney doctor, Dr. Sharon Moe, stepped in and pointed her in the right direction.

“I told her the only place where I felt she would get the best treatment from an exercise and nutritional standpoint was at NIFS,” said Moe. “I know they have the kind of personnel that could give Nikki the proper care for her condition.”

Perry was excited and “scared to death” at first, but finally mustered the courage in June 2003 to enroll in the 12-week NIFS Lite’N Up program. She would use the NIFS exercise facility before attending the Tuesday evening class and follow up with another workout later in the week. Due to her vision problems, her husband Steve became her weekly chauffeur downtown.

“I told her that if this was something that she wanted to do, then she should try it and see how it goes,” said Steve.

The Lite’N Up class and the exercise program were a perfect fit. According to Nicole Haywood, NIFS wellness coordinator, Perry already had a good handle on her nutrition.

“She discovered other foods she could try,” said Haywood. “And she jumped right into the activities. Her attitude made the biggest difference.”

The 25- to 40-minute exercise program that Health/Fitness Instructor Lori Miller set up included stretching, balancing and increased leg circulation. The weight loss started after the program was completed.

“My clothes started to feel looser on me. I eventually lost 23 pounds and was thrilled to death,” said Perry with a big grin. “I’ve felt better now than I ever have because of NIFS.”

Contact Angie Scheetz at 274.3432 ext 239 for more information about
the Lite’N Up program.

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