Real sporty women: Patty Derrick Hartinger

Bound and determined

Name: Patty Derrick Hartinger

Age: 66

Involved in: Walking and Zumba classes twice weekly, as well as gardening in the summer.

Caring for "me"

After raising my two daughters I began to care for myself at the age of forty. I started racing sailboats twice weekly and most weekends. Due to job requirements, after 20 years, I had to give up sailboat racing. Again I stopped caring for "me." Last year I was diagnosed as a Type 2 diabetic and I knew that I needed to change my lifestyle. I began walking and doing Zumba classes twice weekly. I dropped 25 pounds and I really love the dancing! I feel a little depressed right now because I cannot lose an ounce, in fact I put eight pounds back on, but I'm determined to get back to where I was.

Staying motivated and challenged

GirlsGoneSporty (GGS): What is your motivation for staying active?

Patty Derrick Hartinger (PDH): I want to look attractive, feel good about myself and make my kids feel proud of me.

GGS: What sports or fitness accomplishments are you most proud of?

PDH: Losing the 25 pounds and keeping up with the younger women in my Zumba class. I also danced non-stop for two hours as part of a breast cancer awareness benefit a few months ago.

GGS: How do you keep challenging yourself to improve?

PDH: I will lose that eight pounds before summer! I will not let diabetes keep me down! I truly have not been very motivated after getting on the scale and seeing it move up again. The diet stress is difficult and the money it takes to eat healthy is another problem, but I am bound and determined.

Tools of the trade

GGS: What’s your favorite healthy food or dish?

PDH: I eat a lot of Healthy Choice meals because everything is figured out for me - they have Just the right carbs, proteins and fiber.

GGS: What's on your workout playlist?

PDH: Zumba music!

GGS: What’s in your gym bag?

PDH: A brush, bottled water, towel, headband and protein bar.

Live the sporty life

GGS: What does the phrase “live the sporty life” mean to you?

PDH: "Live the sporty life" means having the proper clothing and proper foot wear for whatever activity you attempt. If you aren't comfortable, you will not continue. My thought is that you should always look good no matter what.