“Have FUN with it and do what you can!” For Pat Booker, this simple but great attitude has translated into a recipe for a new and healthy lifestyle full of energy, fun, friendship and support.

 

 

“I was looking to make some changes, and so for me, the Heart of New Ulm really came at the right time.”

 

Pat enthusiastically jumped on board and has now tried literally almost every activity that the Heart of New Ulm has offered. In fact, she’s tried so many activities that her friends joke with her that she’s a Heart of New Ulm “groupie.”

 

The 56-year-old truly believes variety is the “spice of life” and has tried Zumba, salsa dancing, qigong, yoga, snowshoe outings, nutrition classes and more. She also bravely decided to try some things she never thought she would do.

 

“Belly dancing … I mean seriously, did I ever think I would do it? No, but I loved it! So I went back for the next session. The great thing about it is if you don’t like it, you don’t have to go back. But all the activities make getting healthier FUN for me. It’s something I look forward to and so I’ve become much more committed.”

 

Pat said she’d also never done a 5K, and would never have even considered it before. “Now,” she says, “I walk and run and have done seven of them. These are all ‘adventures’ for me and I’m having a blast!”

 

She says she’s “amazed at the changes I’ve made in the last couple years.” Her first goal was to lose weight. So far she’s lost 23 pounds, with a goal of losing about 13 more. She’s lowered her cholesterol to a normal range, too. She now favors the taste of grilled foods instead of fried and is no longer looking for the closest fast-food option. At her heart health screening in June, she found out her Heart of New Ulm Lifestyle Score had improved, too.

 

Besides her great attitude, Pat’s been successful at making changes because she’s learned what’s realistic. “Changes are not going to happen overnight … I didn’t get overweight overnight. It’s a lifestyle change; it’s not a quick fix.”

 

She also makes activity a priority, getting up as early as 4:30 a.m. to exercise. “It’s not nearly as hard as it was when I started. It’s such a part of me now; I make sure I fit it in.”

 

Her adult son Keith, who is developmentally and physically disabled, is also a big motivator.

 

“He’s my hero. If he can do it and go through all the surgeries and all that he’s gone though for so many years, I think, well, I can do this. Seriously, it puts it into perspective. I think about my son a lot. I’m running and walking because he can no longer do that.”

 

Pat said her participation in the activities has paid off in many more ways besides the heart health benefits.

 

“I’ve met so many great people … it’s amazing. We’ve developed a relationship to support each other. We hold each accountable. We all laugh together and support each other. We say we might not be doing it right, but we’re moving, so just keep moving! That's our motto — just keep moving!”