Team!
Our Humana Health Star for the month of July is Kerry. This weekend Kerry is running the Chicago Half Marathon, earning money through Charity Miles for Every Mother Counts. She’s a mom of three who encourages her kids to walk, run, and bike all year long. Thanks, Kerry for sharing your tips for a healthy lifestyle.
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Name: Kerry
Age: 38
State: IL
What’s your favorite way to stay active? Running of course
What charities do you like to support with Charity Miles? Every Mother Counts
Where is your favorite place to walk, run or bike? Near my home – I have a few different routes
Where is one place you’d most like to walk, run, or bike? California – the views.
What do you do to help your family/community get active? We encourage our kids to participate in activities in any way they can. It doesn’t have to be about winning, it’s about showing up, putting in your best effort, and working hard. Especially when it comes to running. My kids do Endurance Camp, whereas 10 and 11 year olds they get out and run 3 times a week, and rack up some serious miles. It shows them anything is possible. They are amazed by what they have accomplished and they feel a real sense of pride when we rehash their running routes for the day.
Do you have any tips for others on how to take steps toward improving their well-being? Put some sneakers on and get out the door. Start by committing to a certain amount of time. You can walk or run but just commit to the time. Before you know it, it won't be such an effort, and your body will crave it!
Do you like to run alone or with friends? Typically alone
Are you training for anything? Chicago Marathon, and then Boston Marathon
What are your health and fitness goals? I like to stay active, and for me, that means running. I try to get out 4 times a week even when not training for something.
What’s one thing Humana can do to help you live a healthier lifestyle? Promote being active to our kids. They need to have fun outlets that get them off the couch and out the door! It’s important that they believe they are capable! It will lead to lifelong fitness!
What’s the best health advice you have ever received? You can do it, but don’t think of the big picture – take it day by day. Small positive choices add up over time and have a big impact. I’m not sure where I heard that, but it's about enjoying the ride along the way.
Humana believes that everyone has a unique health and well-being story. What is yours? I have always been a runner because I watched my Dad compete in 5K’s up to marathons as a kid. Running has always been my go-to form of exercise and after having my 3 kids, I found it to be the only thing that got me back to feeling like myself. I love the sense of accomplishment I feel after a great run, or even after a run that felt terrible. There is something about getting out on the road and covering some distance that I don't think I could live without.