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Friday, February 21, 2014

How Carly sees me


Not quite a month ago I fell, landed on my six day old eye implant and came up with an incredible shiner. I decided it would be the last of the several nasty spills I’ve taken over the last year; I would find someone who would teach me balance.

Several years ago a local woman I’ve known for years, Natalie, and one I didn’t know, Carly, opened a fitness studio in the big building across the road at work, and hung a huge banner over the third floor balcony rail: Total Body Fitness. Week before last I rounded up the phone number, called, and got Carly.

I told her I was an old lady who’d had a stroke, not done well with rehab, worked out at the gym until a year ago, and this past year was on a slippery slope to the bottom unless I found the brake on my sled. “Honey,” Carly said, “you need your core back and I can do that for you.”

Carly put me through the paces for two weeks before my second cataract surgery. I had to take this week off (I do follow some instructions to the letter!), but next week I’m back at it. The first visit I climbed three loooonnnng staircases to the studio, Carly hanging over the top banister, “You can call that your warm up!” She put me on the treadmill anyway.

At our last session Carly had me doing exercises on the balance ball. Granted the ball was against the wall, but I didn’t fall off the top, either side or the front as I lifted weights. She was pleased I moved so soon from doing the routines seated on the front of a chair. (Secret: it’s far easier to balance on that ball than sit up straight on the edge of a chair!)

As we parted until next week Carly asked if she could mention my name in a little blurb she was inserting in the current community news, the little paper our township publishes monthly. I had no problem with a testimonial; she’s worked the bejammers out of me, got me balancing on that ball in two weeks with promises of keeping my balance when we’re through. She means what she says! The paper was in yesterday’s mail. Carly is priceless, and that elevator is too scary to enter!



TOTAL BODY FITNESS

Total Body Fitness would like to welcome our new clients, Deb xxxx (Hudson) and Joanne Noragon (Peninsula). Neither of these women allows the challenges of life to get the best of them. We especially want to thank Joanne 70+ yrs. Old, a stroke survivor with paralysis, who refused to use the elevator to get to our third floor studio. We also want to thank all of our many clients over the years.

23 comments:

  1. I am told that "You go, girl" is fitting in this circumstance!
    Jane x

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  2. I bow to you because I am definitely not worthy. Joanne, you are a shining example to the rest of us - especially with that shiner!!! ;)

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  3. I admire you in SO many ways.... now I'm even a bit jealous as balance is way down on my list of "can do"s. Truly, you are my hero!

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  4. I think you are our 'hero' Joanne......I am ashamed that I am younger and in way worse shape.

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  5. And another one bowing at your feet. About this, and so many other things.

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  6. Good for you for taking on the challenge of getting your balance back. You are a great role model!

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  7. Joanne, you're an inspiration! In all the things you write about, I see a proactive woman who does not quit. When I hear people complaining about the annoyances in life, I think of you and all that you have taken on and know that it is better to deal with what life hands us than complain and give in to whining. You are one neat lady.

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  8. Good for you! You are indeed an inspiration.

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  9. This is wonderful, Joanne, you are a great inspiration!

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  10. Carly sounds like a great trainer! Glad you were willing to realize you needed help and pursued it!

    betty

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  11. That's a lovely tribute to you Joanne and well deserved I'd say. I'd forgotten you'd had a stroke.
    I've discovered through Tai Chi that my balance isn't what it used to be, a very good reason for continuing.

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  12. Good on you for not taking the elevator, no matter what the reason.

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  13. You are amazing !. We lost our Mom to Cardiac arrest after four months of suffering from stroke.

    I hope that no one I know suffer from the things that you went through, but if I see any one suffering, I will give your example to explain to them that there is always hope for people who try.

    That Tribute to you is true to every word.

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  14. Dear Joanne,
    bravo! So important to move - and admirable that you overcome the obstacles. Keep it up!

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  15. Wow, that is incredible. I didn't know you had a stroke. I am so glad that you are doing something good for your over all fitness. I should do the same.

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  16. Boot Camp Carly - I feel your pain (she says) - but good on you Joanne, you're doing well. You'll do it.

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  17. I'm amazed. I thought that you were going to say that you had decided to take Tai Chi to get better balance. And there you are working out, putting me to shame. I walk for a half hour every day and that is it. Shame on my head. Oh, I do walk the dog as well, I count EVERYTHING.

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  18. You are my new hero. We should have bumper stickers made for all of us, who are in the danger zone.

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  19. You are a role model for all of us of a certain age. Keep up the good work!

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  20. I can't balance. I took one of those exercise ball classes. I fell off the ball. The Hurricane did, too, which made me feel a bit better but also guilty because my spawn can't balance either.

    Love,
    Janie

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  21. What Delores said, to the letter. Shame on me. Good for you!

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  22. Yae, Joanne! Good for you! You are a role model for all of us.

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