Connect with us

Monthly Columns

Ageless Member of the Month – July

Published

on

To most people fitness and athletics are synonymous.  It’s an excuse we get a lot at the gym. “I’m not athletic enough to exercise. I was awful at P.E. in high school and never athletic enough to play sports so I’ll never be able to exercise.” In all honesty, it sounds good. Unfortunately, it’s far from the truth.

Our members of the month for July, Coletta and Dustin Fletcher, could have used that excuse. Coletta’s sports career consisted of a chubby childhood, middle school basketball, and 1 year of high school volleyball. Dustin’s sports career also consisted of a chubby childhood and 2 years of high school soccer. Needless to say, neither was considered a “jock” in high school.

It didn’t matter. Since 2010, Dustin’s competed in 3 half marathons and a dozen or more 5/10k’s. Coletta has also competed in one half marathon and several 5/10′s.  Not too bad for two former chubby kids who were never all star athletes.

After talking with them about their fitness journey, a few familiar themes from conversations with previous members of the month popped up. 1) Perseverance. 2) Priorities. 3) Teamwork. 4) Hard work. It’s a great recipe for success that we see all too often, and it’s not just used to better one’s health. It’s used in all areas of life. We see it in young athletes. We see it in successful entrepreneurs. We see it stay at-home moms who amazingly balance an array of responsibilities. We see it in 80 year-old couples who have been married for 50+ years. It’s everywhere.

Perseverance

Dustin and Coletta could have easily stopped. In fact, like a lot of people, they could have never started. Inertia is a powerful obstacle. They could have easily said, “We were chubby when we were young, we were heavy in high school, and we’re still heavy as adults. It must be genetic, so there is no use in fighting it.” They didn’t. Instead they used it as fuel for their fire.

When Coletta first started exercising after see Dustin complete his first 5k race on July 4th of 2010, she couldn’t make it a mile without walking. In fact, she referred to running a mile at the point in her life as “impossible.” She could have given up. She didn’t. She stuck with it and 3 months later, she ran her first mile. Now she’s running 5k races.

Advertisement

When Dustin suffered numerous injuries (knee, hip, and feet problems) from running too much, he could have given up. He didn’t. He started lifting weights, riding his bike, and finding other alternatives to running so he could continue to train.

When they both hit weight loss walls, they could have both given up. They didn’t. They added strength training to their exercise regimen and cleaned up their diets. Coletta added another 20 pound weight loss to her total (she had already lost 35lbs by just running) after her initial “wall.”

They persevered, and that’s why they’ve succeeded.

Priorities

With Dustin working afternoons at Ameren in Missouri, Coletta working twice a week at Nelson Audiology, and a 4 year-old son Hank, things can get pretty hectic at the Fletcher household. Coletta freely admits that if they didn’t have a schedule, neither one of them could find the time to exercise. It’s their schedule that allows Dustin to exercise 5-6 times per week and Coletta to exercise 3-4 times per week. A healthy lifestyle is at the top of their priority list, so exercise always makes the weekly schedule. Why? Because they wanted to set an example for their son. According to Coletta, “Our biggest motivation for exercise would be showing our child(ren) how to live a healthy lifestyle and not to have to fight the same battles we have. Dustin and I were both chubby kids and heavier adults. We talk all the time about how if this is the only thing Hank sees, it’s the only thing he will know. We don’t keep junk in the house and we talk to him about everything we do involving exercise/fitness.”

When it becomes a priority, it becomes a reality.

Teamwork

It’s important in everything we do, and according to Coletta it’s extremely important for the Fletcher team. Not only have they found it extremely motivating (they both cheer each other on at races, and Dustin even comes back after he finishes a race to run with Coletta), but it’s also brought them closer together as a couple. When one of them meets an obstacle, the other one is there to help them overcome. When one runs into a problem, the other one is busy working on a solution for it.  They’re a team. They’re a support group. They’re a family!

Advertisement

There is no I in team.

Hard Work

It would be ridiculous to assume all of this came easy. It didn’t. It required a lot of hard work. It took Coletta 3 months of walking and jogging almost every day to run an entire mile without stopping. She currently works out 3-4 times per week. She runs, lifts weights, competes in our challenges, and even bikes. And if you’ve ever seen her by the end of one of her workouts, she’s flushed, sweating, and breathing heavy. She understands the importance of intensity when it comes to making a transformation.

Dustin does too. Even with his injuries, he trains through them. Like Coletta, he runs, lifts weights, competes in our challenges (which he’s always one of the favorites to win), and bikes. He trains 5-6 times per week.  He won one of our Biggest Loser challenges. He won the Mt. Everest Challenge. He also was the first to complete our triathlon. Rarely will you see him in the gym when he’s not out of breath. He jumps from the treadmill to a bike to the log press to the deadlift. His workouts consist of constant motion. It’s work, HARD work.

The only place success comes before work is in the dictionary.

And that’s why I have to admire them as a couple. Like our other members of the month, they had more than enough to opportunities to make excuses.  They didn’t. And because of that, they’ve succeeded!

Advertisement
Share this story

Comments

comments

Letters to the Editor

Letter: Domestic violence is prevalent in Macoupin County

Published

on

Dear Editor,

Domestic Violence within Macoupin County is prevalent. It is destructive and can be both physical and psychological. It can affect anyone of any age, gender, race, or sexual orientation. It may include behaviors meant to scare, physically harm, or control a partner. While every relationship is different – domestic violence generally involves an unequal power dynamic in which one partner tries to assert control over the other in a variety of ways. The following statistics are all according to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence.

We can see domestic violence inside the home: through the use and control of household pets. In one study, 85% of survivors who experienced co-occurring animal abuse reported that the behavior of their pets had changed. An even higher percentage of survivors who reported partners had harmed or killed their pet, have also reported their partner for domestic violence. We can also see an increase usage of firearms within the intimate partner violence home. A survey of contacts by the National Domestic Violence Hotline found (of those with access to firearms):  

  • 10% said their abusers had fired a gun during an argument.  
  • 67% believed their abusers were capable of killing them. 

We can see domestic violence inside our schools: as partner violence is not exclusive to the home. There are many instances of violence between dating partners that begin in high school. Nearly 1.5 million high school students in the United States are physically abused by dating partners every year. Within those relationships, 13.4% of male high school students report being physically or sexually abused by a dating partner.  

We can see domestic violence inside our community: Macoupin County provides a specific set of needs for those victims and survivors of domestic violence. There are several complex concerns within a violent relationship that come to light once action has been taken. Safe Families sees a few main re-occurring concerns within the county:  

  • Survivors have fewer financial resources, making them more financially dependent on an abusive partner.  
  • The lack of rental units or other affordable housing options makes it more difficult for survivors to leave spouses or co-habiting abusers.  

The Macoupin County Safe Families program provides support for residents as they journey the emotional endeavors to leave behind domestic violence. As a contributor to that experience, we will be hosting a Domestic Violence Awareness Walk on October 7th on the Carlinville Square. An event shirt will be included with a ticket sale. The online tickets will close 09/29 at 5pm. Tickets will be sold at 9am day-of event at the Safe Families booth. More information about the Awareness Walk can be found on our website at mcphd@mcphd.net. We urge Macoupin County residents to join us and rally against domestic violence together.  

Juliet Wooldridge and Lilly Booth

Domestic Violence Advocate Coordinators
Community Health Worker
Macoupin County Safe Families

Advertisement
Share this story

Comments

comments

Continue Reading

Letters to the Editor

Letter: National Health Center Week is week of August 6

Published

on

Dear Editor,

Community Health Centers are the backbone of our nation’s primary health care system. We design innovative, integrated primary care based on what services communities need most — ensuring access to affordable, quality healthcare for over 30 million people. In addition to creating jobs and saving lives, collectively we save American taxpayers $24 billion a year in health care costs by preventing and managing chronic diseases.

Community Health Centers are not ordinary medical clinics; we are also problem-solvers who reach beyond the exam room to care for the whole person by providing access to necessities like food, transportation, and housing. Community Health Centers care for everyone, regardless of insurance status. Nationwide during hurricanes, floods, and fires, and locally during the pandemic, Community Health Centers are first on the scene and are vital to keeping America healthy.

The 2023 theme of National Health Center Week is ‘The Roadmap to a Stronger America.’ Community Health Centers serve as the beacon of strength, service, and care in their communities. In moments of pain and loss, we offer support and love. In moments of triumph, we offer hope and a vision for the future. This year’s National Health Center Week theme takes us on a virtual road trip across America, highlighting the achievements and amazing work being done at Community Health Centers in every state and territory. Celebrate the uniqueness of our community and get to know others as we journey across the U.S. together!

Each day of National Health Center Week is dedicated to a particular focus area. We will be working with community partners to recognize and celebrate each of the following focus groups in our community.

As part of National Health Center Week 2023, we invite you to support Macoupin Community Health Centers, Inc. to celebrate our mission and accomplishments.

Christy Blank
CEO/Public Health Administrator
Macoupin Community Health Centers, Inc.
Macoupin County Public Health Department

Advertisement
Share this story

Comments

comments

Continue Reading

Letters to the Editor

Letter: Drobney family thanks the community

Published

on

To the great people of Macoupin County.

Although several months have past, the family of Bridget Drobney would like to extend their deepest gratitude for the overwhelming love and support that we received during the recent attempt to secure the release of one of Bridget’s rapist/murderers. We are truly grateful for the numerous letters that were written and sent to the Governor of our state, the Illinois Prison Review Board, and the personal outreach to our family; all of which demonstrated your unwavering love and support. Your efforts were instrumental in persuading the Governor and members of the Prison Review Board to deny clemency for Bridget’s murderer.

While it remains a possibility for the individuals involved in Bridget’s kidnapping, rape and murder to annually petition for clemency, The Drobney family takes solace in knowing that the exceptional people of Macoupin County will steadfastly oppose any such requests and stand ready to fight should the matter of clemency arise again. We are particularly grateful to retired Macoupin County State’s Attorney, Vincent Moreth, as well as the current members of the Macoupin County State’s Attorney’s Office, under the leadership of State Attorney, Jordan Garrison. Their unwavering dedication and support was evident as they traveled to Chicago to represent Bridget and the Drobney family during the clemency hearing.

Once again, we express our sincerest appreciation for your profound support and unwavering commitment to justice. Your solidarity has been a source of strength for us during these difficult years. We will keep you in our prayers and will be forever grateful to the people of Macoupin County.

Sincerely,
The Drobney Family

Share this story

Comments

comments

Continue Reading

Trending

×

We need your support. If you value having timely, accurate news about your community, please become one of our subscribers. Subscribe