Carole Carson: Fitness Made Simple-Three Steps to a Healthier You

"Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much."

When Carole Carson tipped the scale at 182 pounds with a 5 foot-one inch frame, Carole took the initiative to change her lifestyle and regain her health. The success of her fitness transformation was based on getting fit along with others, changing her eating habits, and having fun.  

Carole’s experience inspired the creation of the Community Meltdown, which was featured in the media worldwide.  Following the success of the event she wrote the book, From Fat to Fit: Turn Yourself into a Weapon of Mass Reduction so that others might choose to get fit in their own communities.  Carole was named “An Apostle for Fitness” by The Wall Street Journal and has been seen on NBC’s Today Show, CBS’s Early Show, and MSNBC’s Countdown.

We are thrilled that Carole is leading the workshop, Fitness Made Simple: Three Steps to a Healthier You in the "Taking Care of You" track at the 2nd Annual Passion Into Action Conference. 

Weight loss, improved health and fitness are all achievable goals. Learn how to apply three principles—make it fun, individualize your regimen and team up with others. Discover tips that will help keep you on track.

Carole shares with us the moment that inspired her passion, her principles to becoming fit, and the benefits of working towards a goal together.

1.  What is your personal mission or passion that is helping to re-shape the future?

A reporter for the Wall Street Journal aptly described me as an “An Apostle for Fitness,” and the moniker stuck.  Over the past 10 years, I have evolved into a community fitness organizer, and my self-appointed mission is to help communities throughout the nation (and even outside our borders) create events that promote fitness and weight loss.

2. Describe a significant moment or experience that inspired your personal mission or passion to make a difference?

I stepped on the bathroom scale one morning (naked, of course, because I didn’t want to add any ounces from underwear), and the scale broke. Because I saw a glimpse of the number before the scale broke, my system of denial broke as well. I told myself the truth: at 5 feet 1 inch tall and 183 pounds, I was fat.

In that instant, I decided to get fit. Not go on a diet, but get fit. Because I had tried and failed to get fit for 40 years, I figured I needed to take a different approach.

3. What do you hope will be the biggest take-aways for the attendees who participate in your workshop?

I hope they take away three principles that guide my work with individuals and communities; I’ve summarized them in the acronym FIT:

F: Fun. Find fun ways to exercise that made you feel like a kid again. Find foods that you enjoy eating that won’t pack on pounds.

I: Individualized.  Design a way to eat and a way to exercise that are appropriate for your age, habits, locale, preferences, budget, medical issues, resources and so on. Make sure they are just right for you so you can sustain them indefinitely.

T: Team.  Team up with others. Don’t try to reach your goals on your own. You will need supporters—getting fit on your own is too difficult, perhaps impossible. Plus, giving your teammates a helping hand when they need support will reaffirm your own commitment.

4. How do you see women and girls in the local and global communities affecting the future?

At the risk of sounding sexist, I am convinced that solutions to the most vexing problems will occur because women and girls are either providing the solution or pressuring others to come up with the solution. I think women have been forced to become effective problem-solvers, able to replace the bad with the good, and turn the good into great.  And given current world conditions, we’ve never been so challenged to solve problems and create the good.

5. Why is it so important to participate in groups and events that connect women and feature their talents, ideas and solutions right now?

My entire mission is predicated on the notion that our tasks in life are difficult, perhaps impossibly so, when we tackle them alone. But when we give and receive support, we can accomplish much.  When we share our talents, ideas and solutions to others, we strengthen our own resolve. Be assured that not everyone has to be a leader. I like Edith Wharton’s idea that there are “two ways of spreading light—to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it.” Whatever your contribution is—spreading the light or reflecting the light of others—just do it!

6. What is your message to women around the world?

I would echo Helen Keller’s thought: Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.

 

 To participate in Carole's workshop click here to register for Passion Into Action.

Comments

[Getting Firtt]

I have a great day reading this informative post of you.

I would also I would echo Helen Keller’s thought: Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.

Thanks