After becoming one of 300 others asked to join the race, he was chosen to be one of ten fitness ambassadors to run with Governor Granholm
By Beth Jones
Monday, August 24, 2009 at 5:02 p.m.
Read more: Local, Health
DELTA COUNTY -- Hundreds of people take part in the Mackinac Bridge Labor Day Run each year. But some are hand picked to be fitness ambassadors because of their change to healthy lifestyles.
That happened to one Delta County resident who has lost over 60 pounds since December.
Running and working out everyday wasn't always on the “to do” list for Jack Thomas, III of Gladstone. Back in December, he decided he was going to make some changes in his life, joining the YMCA's Biggest Winner program.
Since starting the program, Thomas runs every day and has met with a trainer every week. The result? He's lost 60 pounds so far.
"Carrying that extra weight around, it doesn't really help health wise; there's potential for diabetes, high blood pressure, various kinds of cancers and such. So I made a determination to make that change," explained Thomas.
Through the program at "Y", Thomas heard about applying to run in the annual Labor Day race on the bridge. After becoming one of 300 others asked to join the race, he was chosen to be one of ten fitness ambassadors to run with Governor Granholm.
"The ambassadors really represent all the folks in Michigan that have had an opportunity to improve their own personal fitness, but also to motivate others across the state," Thomas said. "It's never too late to start."
Thomas believes he was chosen because of his unusual fitness habits to keep fit in the winter, like walking up the Gladstone Ski Hill instead of using the tow rope, while his kids enjoyed sledding.
But, besides all the exercising, Thomas also changed his eating habits, eating a lot of homegrown vegetables from his garden, located right in his backyard.
And this change in lifestyle has even rubbed off on his family.
"It's motivated the whole family," said Jack's wife, Patty Thomas. "We've changed our eating habits, the way we eat, exercising, what we do. Instead of sitting in front of the TV, now we're running and walking."
Thomas plans to continue his fitness regimen, even after the race. He hopes to lose another 10 to 15 pounds over the next few months.
