50 For 50: Dena Levy's Story
Dena Levy, a 14-year member of Midtown Athletic Club in Rochester, NY, turns 50 years young on Sunday, March 22.
In January of this year, Dena decided to commemorate her milestone birthday by recommitting herself to a once vigorous fitness routine that had in recent years been thwarted by injury and illness.
Dena decided to complete 50 workouts in the days and weeks leading up to her 50th birthday. There was just one challenge, which she didn't realize until after setting the goal. She had just 53 days to fit in the 50 workouts before March 22.
With a determined spirit and an unwavering desire to make 50 her best year yet, Dena is on track to reach her goal by Sunday. We sat down with Dena to learn more about her 50 For 50 project.
Q: What inspired you to set this goal?
A: I had surgery on my Achilles about two years ago and since then, I've had a difficult time returning to a consistent workout routine. Each time I got started, something would happen (chronic pain in my foot, pneumonia, etc.). I used to work out regularly, so I was very frustrated. At the end of January, I decided that before I turned 50 I would get back to a regular routine, and so I came up with "50 for 50." The only problem was that I discovered I had just 53 days to get in the 50 workouts. But I think having so few "rest" days available actually made the challenge more intense, which served as great motivation.
Q: Do you have a fitness goal in mind for your 50 workouts?
A: My goal is to get back to a regular routine after the challenge is over, where I work out 4-to-5 times a week. My next goal is to run a 5K in the spring. I haven't done one since I had my daughter almost 9 years ago.
Q: What's a regular workout at Midtown like for you?
A: I work out with Dina (personal trainer Dina Smock) once a week, and then generally I use the treadmills. Sometimes, I will mix it up by using a bike or an elliptical.
Q: How many workouts have you completed so far?
A: As of today, 47.
Q: How have you kept yourself accountable?
A: The best decision I made was to tell people about this challenge. Doing so has kept me accountable. I also put together a small "50 for 50" Facebook group so I can report to my friends and family where I am and what I have done. It's a pretty shameless attempt to get encouragement, but it definitely helps. And my daughter made count-down chain for me and every evening she takes off one of the loops from the chain. This has actually helped a lot because we can see how it keeps getting shorter and shorter!
Happy birthday, Dena! We are incredibly proud of your resolve and commitment to improving your health, and we have no doubt that 50 will be your healthiest year yet.