Trudy Simpson, Staff Reporter
Tanya Powell-Edwards getting ready for the half marathon at this year's Reggae Marathon to be held in Westmoreland from December 2-4, 2005. - IAN ALLEN/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
JUGGLING TERTIARY studies, marriage, children and a job as a producer at the Radio Jamaica Communication Group does not leave much time for exercise.
But Tanya Powell-Edwards is determined not to let her busy life prevent her from becoming healthy.
The 32-year-old mother of two says she is determined to lose the extra 100 pounds she is carrying and to get fit so she can avoid the fate of others in her family, who suffer from lifestyle related diseases. "It (being overweight) has always bothered me. I am not living holistically and I know that being overweight predisposes you to lifestyle diseases. Hypertension runs in the family and I have made up my mind that it's something that I will not be bothered with," she told Flair last month.
WALKING FOR EXERCISE
Mrs. Powell-Edwards is now walking for exercise four days per week, often with four classmates from the guidance and counselling programme run by the Institute of Theological and Leadership Development. These classmates are now her after-school exercise support group, she said.
Mrs. Powell-Edwards also uses the exercise time as a bonding opportunity with her husband and children, who sometimes walk with her on Saturday mornings at Emancipation Park in New Kingston.
She is now looking forward to having her family cheer her on when she walks the half marathon in the upcoming Reggae Marathon, which is to be held December 2 to 4 in Negril, Westmoreland. With sponsorship from The Gleaner Company Limited, Western Sports, Jamdammers Running Club and others, Mrs. Powell-Edwards, like the other four participants being sponsored by The Gleaner, has already started training for the event.
"Losing weight is hard so you need help. Cost is prohibitive now for me but thanks to the sponsors for putting together a package to assist us. I believed that this was something I could put the effort into while someone else helped with the finances. It has been just a good learning exercise," Mrs. Powell-Edwards said.
She has benefited from advice from Geena Harrison from Jamdammers, who walked with her to look at her form. She and the other four participants also received water from Catherine's Peak, tee shirts, correct running shoes from Western Sports and medical check ups.
"The support is there. They send us a lot of information about hydration. For example, we are learning a water routine. I didn't have one before. I also learnt that Gatorade is absorbed into the body so there are no frequent bathroom breaks which can be annoying. I am becoming much more educated about this," she said.
The immediate goal, Mrs. Powell-Edwards said, is to maintain proper exercise and diet.
The Reggae Marathon began five years ago and is organised by the Jamdammers Running Club. Persons can run or walk the marathon or half marathon. The event targets persons at all levels, including those who exercise regularly or occasionally.
