FITNESS & WELLNESS 4 We are Responsible. We are Respectful. We are Safe. Registration starts now! playkettering.org FITNESS & WELLNESS FITNESS MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: FITNESS MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: KEVIN ELPERS Tell us about yourself and how long you have been a member at the Kettering Recreation Complex? I’m a resident of Kettering and I work as a civilian at Wright Patterson AFB. I’ve been a member of the Kettering Recreation Complex for over 20 years now and I try to make it to the Rec Center at least five or six days each week. The equipment, staff, and fellow members are all so terrific and I feel happy and blessed that such a great facility can be part of my daily routine. What personal obstacles have you overcome and how did our fitness facilities help you through? In 2021, I faced a significant circulation issue in my lower left leg that then led to some bone collapse in my knee. Because of that, I had to be in an ‘unloader’ brace for nearly five months to alleviate stress on the knee and to allow corresponding bone regeneration. Although the brace itself did its job in that regard, the tightness of it – and having to wear it continuously – created some nerve damage in my foot. After several months, and numerous doctor visits, the knee and nerve damage healed, but all combined, it was nearly a year-long process filled with quite a bit of physical pain and mental stress. Being able to come to the Kettering Recreation Complex each day was a huge part of my rehab, both physically and mentally. Of course, starting out, I had to take it easy but each day I simply did what I could and what I felt comfortable with. Some days, I could do more and some days, less. That was fine with me. Getting to the fitness center was half the battle and I was making it a priority to be there. If I didn’t always necessarily feel like working out on a given day, there was never really a time that I wished that I hadn’t exercised after I was finished. How do you feel about the progress you have made? Now, I’m largely back to where I was before all my health issues and I look forward to continuing and maintaining the progress I’ve made. To be sure, the KRC has been a big part of that progress and it’s really a part of my day that I look forward to, particularly after a stressful workday. Movement, as the saying goes, is the key to everything, as is the consistency of just doing something every day and that’s the outlook I try to keep. How do you feel about the progress you have made? I aim to be active every single day. l try to get in at least 2-3 miles of walking each day on the treadmill, whether that’s all at the fitness center or some of that at home, too. I want to continue to do about 30 minutes of weights every day as well so that I maintain that mix along with the cardio. I just renewed my membership for another year and I feel like that also creates renewed motivation to maintain disciplined attendance. I feel like each day I use the fitness center, the cheaper my membership cost becomes. Fitness & Wellness Coordinator Michelle Kenney 937-293-4348 [email protected] Fitness & Wellness Supervisor Heather Boyer 937-296-2587 [email protected]
