by Martha Hicks Leta
Lynn Williamson keeps a sign posted on a wall in her house that says, “They will tell you ‘no,’ and you will tell them ‘yes’.”
When she decided to run the Boston Marathon this year, there wasn’t much debate about whether or not she was up to the challenge. Since coming to Fitness Together in Norwell four years ago she’s gotten a bit of a reputation. When she sets a goal for herself you’d best lead, follow or get out of the way, because not much stands between Lynn and her goals. Says fellow FT client and PACK member Lou Leta, “She works her hardest at every workout. She’s completely driven. I never hear her complaining that it’s too hard. She puts some of the men to shame, including myself.“
Four years ago, this was not the case. A three-sport athlete in high school, Lynn had drifted away from her active lifestyle as she moved through college and into the professional world. A demanding full time job meant grabbing meals on the go and left little time for the gym. Before long the unhealthy lifestyle and weight gain were dragging her down.
“I really didn’t like how I looked or how I felt,” says Williamson. “I didn’t have a lot of energy and wasn’t feeling healthy in general. I went shopping for clothes and was disgusted at the sizes I was buying. I had driven by FT a few times and just went in one day and signed up.”
Now, 55 pounds lighter and carrying only 22% body fat, Lynn Williamson is committed to several times weekly one-on-one and PACK training at Fitness Together and she says it’s made a huge difference in her life.
“A lot of the activities I do now in the gym I never thought I could do, but I learned as long as I believed I could do it, I could. “
Last May Lynn ran a half marathon with her sister and really enjoyed the challenge. This year she decided to up the ante by running the Boston Marathon on behalf of a local charity, the Kenney/Quinn/Ford Brain Tumor Research Foundation.
“In 2005, Captain John Kenny of the Boston Fire Department was diagnosed with a brain tumor,” Williamson writes in her fundraising letter. “During the same week, Tommy Quinn (age 6 at the time) the son of a member of John’s group in the firehouse was also diagnosed with a brain tumor. Shortly thereafter, Ann Marie Ford, the wife of Boston Firefighter Bobby Ford, was also diagnosed with a brain tumor. Since that time, John Kenney and Ann Marie Ford have lost their difficult battles.”
The funds raised for the charity go toward brain tumor research to find a cure.
Not everyone who sets out to run his or her first marathon finishes. Says running coach Shelley Glover, author of The Runner’s Handbook, “It’s four to six hours of foot slapping, Gatorade guzzling, arm pumping, soul-testing miles and it’s not for everyone.”
Lynn’s trainer Joe Caruso isn’t worried. “Lynn has proven that with hard work and an iron will you can overcome any obstacle and no goal is ever out of reach.”
Lynn agrees, “I have proven to myself that I can do whatever I set my mind to. I have lost a significant amount of weight and currently am in the best shape of my life. Fitness Together played a huge part in my success. I am happy with where I am today with my body, and continue the hard work and training because I love it.”
To sponsor Lynn Williamson’s run for the Kenney/ Quinn/Ford Brain Tumor Research Foundation go to the following link and click on the “make a donation” button. Fill out the form and enter Lynn Williamson’s name under “Sponsored Individual”: www.bosfirecu.com Thank you.
To schedule an appointment with Lynn’s trainers in Norwell go to FTSouthShore | Or call 781-659-0034
To find a Fitness Together training expert near you go to FTGetsResults.com
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