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Healthy Striders News
Lynn Sanchez is our walker for March!! She is 50 years young, has been married for 26 years and has a son Chris and a beautiful daughter Kaylie!! (I just love Kaylie and admire her!!) They moved from Huntington Beach, California, to Lake Havasu 16 years ago. She works for the City of Lake Havasu.
Lynn says she exercises to increase her energy level, maintain weight and to keep stress at bay. It’s also a great opportunity to socialize and is good for your mind, body and soul. She exercises 3-6 days a week at Havasu Fitness (spin, synergy, and boxing), Eight Lotus Yoga when she can and Titan Gym Zumba on special occasions. She also hikes, kayaks, and enjoys paddle boarding and wogging (jog walk). She finished her first half marathon, the Saints and Sinners Half Marathon, on February 15th with her daughter Kaylie. Great job to both of you!!!
Lynn has autoimmune disease which hurts more when she is sedentary. At the same time she has to listen to her body when it tells her it is time to rest. If she ignores it, she’s down for the count. Another reason it is so awesome that she finished the half marathon!
Lynn says exercise elevates your mood and builds muscle, which adds strength. She invites others to join her so she stays committed, at the same time giving her an opportunity to socialize and meet new friends. She says to set your own realistic goals and to “run your own race” which is tattooed on her wrist. Let’s use Lynn’s advice and “run our own race” and “Get On Your Feet”!!
Carol Miraz is our Walker of the Month for September. She is 58 years young and has been with her boyfriend for 16 years. She has 3 children and 1 grandson. She moved to Lake Havasu from Los Angeles 15 years ago and is not working at this time. Carol exercises 4-5 times a week and says it makes her feel good. She loves to walk, run, Zumba, TRX, weights and play pickle ball. She goes to Titan Gym and also Planet Fitness.
Mary L. Johnson is our walker for August. She is 64 years young, has been married for 9 years and had a son she lost to suicide in 2006. She moved to Lake Havasu from Washington State in 2010 after retiring from Boeing.Mary says exercise is her “new job” and loves it!! She hikes, bikes and attends classes at Titan Gym. Monday/Wednesday/Fridays she does Spin class, and Tuesday/Thursdays she goes to Stretch and Tone, Step Class and Yoga totaling 9 hours.
Mary has high blood pressure, high cholesterol and osteopenia. She feels exercise definitely keeps her active, very motivated and helps her maintain her weight. She says she is more limber and toned (underneath her belly fat, she’s pretty sure she has a six pack under there!!)
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Myra Hendricks is our walker for July. She is 70 years young and has 3 sons ages 42, 50 and 54. She also has 7 grandchildren between the ages of 7-27. She moved to Lake Havasu after her divorce in 1996. She lived internationally for over 20 years in Scotland, Venezuela, and Indonesia then back to Venezuela. She was born and raised in Los Angeles and moved to Anchorage, Alaska, when she was 18. She was a Domestic Engineer before she retired.
Kathy Anderson is our walker for May. She is 75 years young, has 2 sons, 1 daughter and 4 grandchildren. She moved to Lake Havasu 29 years ago from Ojai, California. She worked for 14 years at the Aquatic Center teaching Thai Chi, water aerobics and children’s swimming. Kathy exercises to stay active. It helps to keep her strong, from gaining weight, and allows her to enjoy being with her friends. She exercises 5 days a week, kayaks 3 times a week, does Thai Chi 2 times a week, attends Stretch and Tone class at Titan Gym 2 times a week and bikes 2 times a week for 45 minutes.
Kathy has Peripheral Artery Disease (clogging of arteries in legs) and diabetes. Exercise has helped so she does not have to have surgery.
Kathy says if you don’t use it you will lose it!! Get up, grab some friends, and use it and
Get On Your Feet!!!
Jo Anne Ferguson is our walker for April!! She is 68 years young, widowed with a stepdaughter who lives in Fort Smith, Arkansas. She moved to Lake Havasu a year ago from Lake Tenkiller, Oklahoma, where she lived for 18 years. Prior to Oklahoma she lived in California, but is a naturalized citizen from Winnipeg, Manitoba. She retired in 2013 and did accounting for several companies including Hyundai Motor Company and AseraCare Hospice. Jo Anne loves the outdoors, walking and enjoying the energy that regular exercise brings her. Walking has been a great way to make friends and she’s met some very nice people who enjoy the same activities she does. She exercises 3-4 times a week for just over 2 hours a day. Great job!!
Jo Anne takes a brisk 3 mile walk in Rotary Park and the channel, combined with a step aerobics class at a local gym. She has a problem with a knee from an ACL injury but has been able to avoid a knee replacement by keeping fit and strengthening the muscles around her knee.
Jo Anne says exercising is great way to meet people and do something good for yourself!! So let’s all do something good for ourselves and “Get On Your Feet”!!
Our Walker for March is Mary Williams. She is 64 years young, has been married for 38 years, and has 3 children (2 daughters and 1 son) and 3 grandchildren. They raised their children in Idaho and moved to Lake Havasu 6 ½ years ago. She is very happily retired!! Mary says she exercises because it keeps her mind, body and soul happy. She loves the experience of learning new ways to work out and being the best version of herself and striving for improvement. She also loves meeting wonderful people along the way and those that provide encouragement and help you feel better about yourself by their friendship. She exercises at Titan Gym 5 days a week, taking various classes including Spin, Power Sculpt, and Kick Boxing. She also does Yoga at Ben Hicks Yoga Studio as her class “to go to for mind strength and flexibility.” Mary says she is blessed with good health and feels good most days. Mary says get up, walk out the door and head into the world of feeling, looking and seeing the world better through your exercise experience. She says it is the best decision you will ever make but you have to start by walking out the door!! Join Mary and GET UP, GO OUT THAT DOOR and start feeling better, getting healthy and just Get On Your Feet!
Brigitte Wittgren is our walker for February. She is 74 years young, divorced and has 2 children and 4 grandchildren. She moved to Lake Havasu from Indiana where she was a district manager and consultant. In Havasu she was a school bus driver and is now retired.
Brigitte enjoys walking at Rotary Park, exercising and socializing at Titan Gym. She does Tai Chi, Stretch and Tone and kayaks several days a week. She does some form of exercise 7 days a week.
Brigitte exercises to keep breathing (she has asthma) and to keep her joints moving.
Brigitte likes to exercise outdoors and at the gym. So get motivated to keep moving and
“Get On Your Feet”!
Sergeant Kamyn Deparini is our special walker for January. He has been in the United States Marine Corps for about 8 years. He joined the Marines because he felt the need to contribute to something having a meaningful impact on the world on a day-to-day basis. Prior to joining the Marine Corps, he was attending college to become an EMT. He worked at McDonalds, had an apartment, but overall was unhappy. He says the Marine Corps has taught him a lot of valuable life lessons and forced him to grow up and strive to be successful in everything he does, including fitness. He has been deployed twice, once to the Middle East and once to Central America, and is no longer enlisted in the Marine Corps as of December 2018. I would like to personally thank Kamyn for his service!!!!! The Healthy Striders were honored to have Kamyn join us at our Jingle Bell Walk, where he was the first one in and also won the Ugly Sweater Contest!!! Great job on both!!!
Gloria hart is our walker for December. She is 68 years young and has been married for 49 years this month! Congratulations Jim and Gloria!! That’s pretty awesome!! They have 2 sons, Jonathan and Geoffrey, 4 grandsons: Jayden, Brendon, Camden and Tyler and a granddaughter Piper. They have lived in Havasu full time since 2005 but bought their first house in 2001 as a vacation home. They moved from Fountain Valley, California, and she is a beach girl all the way!!! She is retired but volunteers in a 1st grade classroom at Havasupai School.
Denise Johnk is our walker for November. She is 61 years young (her birthday is in December) and has been happily married for 16 years. Together they have 6 children and 10 grandchildren who are the lights of their life!! She and her husband moved from Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, to Lake Havasu 12 years ago. She has been working at Gem Assisted Living for almost 2 years. She left her job of 11 years to work at Gems for Vilma Urbina, who is also a great friend and walking buddy. 
Vilma Urbina is our Walker of the Month - October Vilma Urbina is our walker for October. She is 34 years young, has been married to Sergio Gonzalez for 4 years and has a son, Eli, who is almost 2 years old. She moved to Lake Havasu 14 years ago from Chico, California. She is the owner of three Gems Assisted Living homes. Vilma was named Woman of the Year for 2018 by Women with Willpower. Congratulations!
Vilma is trying to better her health and has lost 35 pounds by walking (way to go Vilma!) She wants to be able to play with her son; 35 pounds ago that was really hard to do. She says there were times when she wanted to give up, but her walking partner encouraged her to get up and go. It’s always nice to have someone to walk with!
Vilma says she tries to walk every day, but at least 5 days a week. She walks at Rotary Park, does 5 sets of stairs at the bridge, and goes to Planet Fitness.
Vilma has Fibromyalgia, which has been a problem. Walking has helped her with some of the symptoms. Her diabetes has improved, and her high blood pressure and cholesterol numbers have gone down along with her weight.
Vilma says JUST DO IT! It gets easier the more you do it, and helps when you have a partner to keep you accountable. Since she has been walking for 12 weeks now, it has become routine. Like I’ve said before, grab some friends, get out there and
Get On Your Feet!!!
Collette Copeland Walker of the Month - SeptemberCollette Copeland is our walker for September. She is 62 years young, has been married for 41 years (awesome), and has 2 children and 1 grandchild. She moved to Lake Havasu 2 years ago from Oak Hills, California, and is retired.
Collette exercises for her health, and loves to walk 3-4 times a week with a friend at Rotary Park. She says walking has helped with cardio and digestive issues. Collette says when walking you get to see things and breathe clean air and enjoy the outdoors. When walking outside you also get plenty of vitamin D!!! Starting an exercise program is easy; just grab a friend, get out, get some fresh air, get healthier and
Get On Your Feet!!!
Havasu Healthy StridersSandy Alami is our walker for Aug. She is 69 years young, been married for 36 ½ years (awesome Sandy!!), has 2 daughters and 1 granddaughter. Her youngest daughter passed away in 1974. She says they bought their home in 2011 and moved in 2017 when they retired.
Havasu Healthy StridersLaura Venegas is our walker for July. She is 37 years young and has a beautiful sister, nieces and nephews. She moved to Lake Havasu 25 years ago. She currently works at Titan Fitness as a receptionist. Laura works out with her sister to make it more fun. She says it motivates her to have someone else there and makes it easier to continue day-by-day.
Laura says she exercises because she feels better after each workout session and it gives her more energy to start and finish her day. It relaxes her and helps her to be less stressed. She says she ends her day feeling better and it helps keep her heart healthy and helps her stay away from doctors.
Diane Corder is our walker for June!! She is 60 years young and has been married for 35 years. She has one living child and one who passed away. She’s been in Lake Havasu as a full time resident for 7 years, coming from Covina, California.Diane exercises 2-3 times a week to keep her mobility and to lose some weight. She walks at Rotary Park with a friend and hikes Sara Park. Since she started walking, she feels her mobility has greatly improved.
Diane says exercise is good for you, and you can go outside and enjoy nature while doing it. Even though it’s getting warmer you can still enjoy our beautiful city, parks and scenic environment. So, grab some friends, bring plenty of water, go outdoors and
Get on Your Feet!!!
Havasu Healthy StridersJackie Goodwin is our walker for May!! She is 56 years young and has been married for 5 years. She and her husband have 4 kids and 5 grandkids between the two of them. She was married previously for 23 years, but her husband passed away; so sorry for your loss. Jackie moved here from La Quinta, California 3 years ago. She retired from private golf clubs (The Quarry in La Quinta and the Vintage Club in Indian Wells) where she was a controller.
Havasu Healthy StridersDavid Green is our walker for April. He is 62 years young and will celebrate 36 years of marriage in June. That’s awesome!! He and his wife have no children and they moved to Lake Havasu 14 years ago from Ft. Wayne, Indiana. He worked as a custodian at Havasupai Elementary.
Dave has always kept active and has exercised as part of a weekly routine for most of his life. Running has been a big part of his life for the last 1 ½ years. It started as a one-time challenge to run a 5K, and turned into a normal part of his week. He enjoys the personal challenge, and the fact that he feels better now than he has in 15 years.
Havasu Healthy Striders
Nina Dobbs Van is our walker for March. She is 53 years young, has been married for 36 years and has a daughter and 4 grandchildren. She moved to Lake Havasu in 1993 from Parker, CA, but grew up in Europe. She is a pet sitter and takes care of rentals.Nina exercises to keep her health on track and says, “it’s fun.” She exercises 8 or so times a week by walking and attending several classes at Titan gym.
Nina says exercising has lowered her blood pressure and keeps her “insides” feeling and working better.
Nina says to find something you like to do and then go for it!! She says if you enjoy what you are doing, it doesn’t feel like you are working out with the bonus of feeling better!! So find something you enjoy, help yourself to feel better and
Get On Your Feet!!!
Havasu Healthy Striders Michael Slettebo is our walker for February. He is 55 years young and has been married to his high school sweetheart and best friend Jenny for 35 yrs!!! That is awesome!!! He still remembers the first day he saw her at school!! They have 2 beautiful daughters (yes they are!) and 4 wonderful grandchildren. He moved from Chino, California, in the summer heat of 1989. He has been employed by the Lake Havasu City Wastewater Division for almost 23 years.
Michael says exercise is a bit of an addiction for him that he feels more people should experiment with. He loves being outdoors and says Lake Havasu has so much to offer if you just get out and see it while walking, hiking or his favorite, bicycling. His goal is 5-6 days a week of exercise.
Havasu Healthy Striders
Andy Cheat is our walker for December!! He is 58 years young, has been married for 32 years (awesome) and has 2 children and 4 grandbabies!! He moved to Lake Havasu 7 ½ years ago from Massachusetts. He works at Hospice of Havasu as a Children and Adult Bereavement Counselor.
Click "Read More" to see the rest of his story.
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Margaret Athas is our walker for November.Margaret attends Havasu Fitness for a cardio workout three times a week and walks every morning from Acoma down to Lake Havasu Ave and then back to Acoma.
Margaret is a great example of staying active!! Whatever your age is there is no time like the present to start an activity whether it's walking, the gym or any fun activity that helps you to
Get On Your Feet!!!
Havasu Healthy Striders
Jenny Slettebo is our walker for October. She has been married to her high school sweetheart, Mike, for 35 years, and according to Jenny he is an amazing man. (That’s just awesome!!) They have 2 beautiful daughters, Sara and Sammy Jo (Yes they are!). They also have 2 very handsome grandsons, Tyler (14) and Andrew (11), and 2 adorable granddaughters Gemma Belle (7) and Ellie (3). Jenny came to Lake Havasu from California 27 years ago, but she grew up in Iowa.
Havasu Healthy Striders
Dee Alexander is our walker for September. She is 74 years young, a widow with 2 boys. She has lived in Lake Havasu for 50 years, and hails from the San Francisco Bay area. She retired from Safeway in Lake Havasu after 23 years.
Havasu Healthy Striders
Beverly Martin is our walker for August. She is 78 years young and has been married for 47 years. She has 2 sons. She moved from Canada to Lake Havasu 47 years ago!!! She works at Coldwell Banker and has been an active real estate agent since 1978.
Havasu Healthy Striders
Jing Wiebe is our walker for July. She is 62 years young and has been married for 11 years. She moved to Lake Havasu City from Anaheim, California, 7 years ago and is retired.
Jing exercises 5 days a week at Titan Gym. She does Tai Chi, Stretch and Tone, and Spinning. She says...
Havasu Healthy Striders
Patricia Landry is our walker for June. She is 79 years young and has been single for over 30 years!! She moved to Lake Havasu from Connecticut almost 37 years ago. She has 4 grown children. She is a Broker Associate and works part time at Lake Havasu City Properties.
Havasu Healthy StridersDonna Warren is our walker for May. She is 47 years young, married to John, and they have a daughter living in Lake Havasu. Donna lives in Homer Alaska, but she has spent the last 8 years wintering here with her husband. They are owners of The Salty Dawg Saloon and Homer Beachside Cabins in Homer.
Havasu Healthy StridersChris Webb is our walker for April. He is 45 years young and married with 2 kids. He moved to Lake Havasu City from Palm Springs, California, 9 years ago. He is in health/financial lifestyle network marketing. He and his wife, Dani, are the owners of Team Shockwave Fitness & OCR training.
Havasu Health Walk ChallengeDave Olday is our walker for March!! He is 72 years young and has been married to Cheri for 9 years. He has one stepson from a previous marriage, and his wife has 2 sons from a previous marriage. They moved to Lake Havasu about 7 years ago from Fargo, North Dakota. He was a college professor for nearly 40 years and has been retired for over 8. He volunteers for the Havasu Community Health Foundation where he is the Chair of the Heart Society, Mended Hearts, as well as the Visitor Center.
Havasu Health Walk ChallengeSigrid Shaw is our walker for January. She is 74 years young, is married, and has a son and daughter living in Wisconsin. She spent 33 years in education and retired 13 years ago. She and her husband split their time between Lake Havasu and Wisconsin.
We had a great day at the 2016 Jingle Bell Walk N Run, in spite of the wind and cold temperature!See pictures on our Facebook page or in our photo album.
Havasu Health Walk ChallengeKristin Kebble is our walker for December. She is 48 years young and has been married to Mike for 12 years. They have 5 children. She has lived in Lake Havasu for 12 years and works for Parker Unified School District.
Havasu Health Walk ChallengeMike Kebble is our walker for November. He is 56 years young and has been married for 12 years with 5 kids between himself and his wife. He works at Anixter Electrical Wholesale. He moved to Lake Havasu from Whittier, California, 25 years ago.
Mike says he exercises to stay slim, trim and healthy for his wife. He wants to stay healthy and enjoy a long life.
Havasu Health Walk ChallengePat Wilkerson is our walker for October!! She is 59 years young with a birthday this month to mark 60 years!!! Happy birthday Pat!! She has been married for 40 years and has 2 daughters, Amy 39, and April 35. She moved to Lake Havasu 11 years ago from Hesperia, California. Pat has been the owner of a house cleaning business for 9 years.
Pat exercises to relieve stress and ...
Havasu Health Walk Challenge
Our September walker is Stacie Marsh. She is 49 years young, retired, and has lived in Lake Havasu since 2004. She hails from Orange County, California.
Stacie exercises to stay active and to be healthier and fit. She exercises about 5 days a week at Titan Gym, doing several classes including Zumba, TRX and Power Sculpt.
Havasu Health Walk Challenge
Tim Rodriguez is our walker for August. He is 45 years young and has been married to the same wonderful woman for 22 years!! They have a 19 year-old daughter and a 14 year-old son. He moved to Lake Havasu in 1987 from Sacramento, California. He has been working for Lake Havasu City for almost 25 years.
Havasu Health Walk ChallengeSheri Fender is our walker for July. She is 47 years young and has a son, Brad, who is 24 and a paramedic. She moved to Lake Havasu City from Iowa in October of 2006 and has worked at Fullsac Performance (and online business: www.fullsac.com) for a little over a year.
Sheri says she exercises to keep healthy, feel healthy and to just have fun.
Havasu Health Walk ChallengeOur June walker is Suzette Allen, who is single and 48 years young! She moved to Lake Havasu from Riverside, California, 18 years ago and has two daughters. She manages M & M Storage, and has done so since June of 2007.
Suzette says she exercises to “be a healthier me” and in doing so makes her feel better.
Suzette says she exercises to “be a healthier me” and in doing so makes her feel better.
Put your walking shoes on and join the Havasu Healthy Striders on Saturdays at 7:00 am--gotta beat the heat!
Meet them in Rotary Park near the swimming area. Every one is welcome!
Havasu Health Walk ChallengeKevin Hoppe is our walker for May. He is 58 years young and has been married for 13 years. He has 2 sons from a previous marriage and 2 grandkids living in California. He retired in 2003 as an electrician from Placerville, California, and moved to Lake Havasu in 2004.
Kevin enjoys
Havasu Health Walk ChallengeJoEllen (JoJo) Craig is our walker for April! She is 62 years young and has been single 17 years and has a beautiful daughter who is getting married in April!! She worked for 35 years in construction as a heavy equipment operator and retired in 2013. She winters in Lake Havasu and has a home in Puyallup, Washington.
JoJo says she has always
Paige Preston is our February Walker of the Month
Havasu Health Walk Challenge
Paige Preston is our walker for February. She is only 12 years old!! She lives with her mom and dad, sisters Emma (10) and Amelia (3). She is in the 7th grade and is home schooled. She has lived in Parker for the past 3 years but is moving back to Havasu this month. Paige likes to kayak, play the guitar and read.
