If you had told Patsy Casteen three years ago that she would be running countless races, line dancing on the TODAY Show, hula-hooping in Orlando and representing TOPS at a medical conference in Philadelphia, she would have laughed in disbelief. Since rejoining TOPS in 2014, Patsy (pictured left) has lost 100 pounds and feels healthier and more active than ever. Her motto is, “you gotta move to lose,” and she keeps moving by making exercise fun. Check out Patsy’s top tips for staying active.
- Choose activities that you enjoy. This may sound simple enough, but have you ever joined a gym only to find that you weren’t really a big fan of gyms? There are plenty of other ways to stay active including trying a local fitness class at a community center, walking your dog, riding your bike or tossing a Frisbee around with your family. Try not to get down on yourself if you get bored with an activity; use this as an opportunity to try something new.
- Squeeze in activity whenever/wherever you can. Being more active doesn’t necessarily have to include planned and structured exercise. Look for opportunities to get moving whenever you can. Patsy parks her car farther away from her destination when she can and opts for the stairs over the elevator. She even chose walking to the convention center over the free shuttle while representing TOPS at a recent conference. Every little bit adds up!
- Get active with friends. Patsy keeps fitness fun by two-stepping in her senior line dancing group and doing water aerobics and 5K races with friends. She’s also part of an online running group with fellow TOPS pals. Their collective goal is to run 2,017 miles in 2017.
You may not always feel motivated to get moving, and it may not always be easy, but Patsy reminds us that it’s always worth it.
Share your favorite tips for staying active in the comments section below!
By Ronette "Ron" Wenberg July 6, 2017
Exercising has never been one of my favorite things to do. It is NOW a priority. Working in my garden is my favorite kind of exercise. Getting my shovel and digging in the dirt, transplanting this or that and getting the ground all ready for planting veggies. I also go to they gym 3 times each week. I do some machines for 30 min, then on M & Fr it’s a Zumba class for another 30 min and on Wed it’s an hour of Zumba. YIKES, that really gets the heart beating. I have to keep my muscles strong and the bones and joints moving. I sing to the music and sometimes make up my own words which of course don’t rhyme but it’s fun and everyone laughs especially when I start whining -“it hurts, I don’t like this song, I don’t wanna do this anymore”. The other gals just tell me shut up and keep moving! And I do. Move it or lose it and I do NOT want to lose it. Guess that means I gotta keep moving it!
By Maggie July 6, 2017
Great job, Ron! Keep on moving 🙂
By Patsy Casteen July 7, 2017
Keep doing what your doing Ron!!! Ron ROCKS!!!
By Linda Lynch July 7, 2017
Good girl!!! Move and keep on keeping on !!! The hardest thing I do each day is get out of bed. With MS, I sometimes don’t want to do that. But once I do, It’s off to the gym I go (!!) for a 1/2 hour of (mild/moderate) cardio and some weights. Everyday is a gift.
By Martha Sutton July 6, 2017
I’ve been following Patsy’s story for some time now. Because she was walking/running 5Ks, I was motivated to try one, myself. I have now completed several and won a few medals. Thank you, Patsy for your constant inspiration.
By Maggie July 6, 2017
That’s so wonderful to hear, Martha!
By Patsy Casteen July 7, 2017
THANKS so much Martha Sutton! YOU GOT THIS & I will be here CHEERIING you on to your GOAL!! TOPS is a Lifesaver!
By Dianne Connerly July 6, 2017
My motto is “you gotta move it or you will lose it!” We live where there are a lot of hills and walking trails consisting of many hills, so to maintain my KOPS status every day my husband who is 80 years of age, and myself walk at least 5-10 miles per day. It is usually me that does the 10 miles but that is okay considering his age. Last year I had to lower my goal twice and am now maintaining roughly 5 pounds under goal with a loss of 84.75 lbs. to goal that I have kept off for 9 years. My husband’s healthcare professional is simply amazed at how healthy my husband is for his age, and he tells the doctor it’s because he follows the “galloping goose” referring to me. Kudos to TOPS and all the support I have received to help me live a healthier lifestyle.
By Maggie July 6, 2017
5-10 miles a day is incredible, Dianne!
By Patsy Casteen July 7, 2017
TOTALLY AWESOME Dianne! I hope that I can follow in your footsteps and stay in leeway as a KOPS for life. TOPS is another key to SUCCESS!!! Keep on walking!
By Dianne Connerly July 10, 2017
Thank you for your kind words. I wish you continued success in keeping off pounds sensibly. If I can do it you CAN TOO!
By Dianne Connerly July 10, 2017
Many thanks Maggie….movin’ and a groovin’ is what keeps me below goal along with eating sensibly, portion control and the support and encouragement I receive from my TOPS friends.
By Arlene July 7, 2017
Don’t forget to have a water source handy while moving and cruising.
By Maggie July 7, 2017
Good point, Arlene!
By Margy August 2, 2017
Patsy, I am glad I found this blog; and agree “you got to move it to lose it”! Through being a member of TOPS WA 0450 Yakima since 2011 to present I am well on my way to reaching goal. I enjoy Water Walking and walking with Topsi, (my 7# Toy Fox Terri). Reaching out to one another is a fantastic way to stay motivated also! 🙂