AN INTERVIEW WITH RUNNER, DEBBIE GRUBBS, FOR THE MY JOURNEY STORY SERIES.
LAC: When did you decide to start making your health a priority (what or whom inspired this decision) and what were your goals?
Debbie: I started exercising in my late twenties. My family had a history of heart disease and diabetes.
LAC: How did you get started and what did you do to improve your health?
Debbie: I started by running a mile. I continued running, increasing my distance, and focusing on my diet. Now I run 5 miles a day and I also workout at LAC 3-5 times a week.
LAC: How did you stay motivated and what was the biggest challenge?
Debbie: Motivation came when I started seeing the positive changes in myself. My siblings participate in regular exercise and eat healthy too. My two daughters also developed a healthy lifestyle with exercise. Still, it was difficult to find time to exercise every day.
LAC: What positive changes did you see in your life and what did you learn throughout this process?
Debbie: I experienced weight loss, more energy, stress-level decreases, and happiness. I learned that regular exercise and eating healthy contributes to a happy life.
LAC: Final Thoughts? Is there anything else you would like share about your story?
Debbie: I think that the most positive effect of my exercising and healthy lifestyle was that my two daughters are extremely healthy and very active. They both run regularly including half and full marathons. They cycle, do yoga, and are very conscious of their diets (more than me!!). It makes me feel really good that on days when I would feel guilty for running it paid off!!
