It could not be just another day for Gail Stillwell, a 74 year old resident of Decatur Christian Towers. Gail remembers the thought that quickly lead to an overwhelming realization and exploded into a verbal exclamation stating, “THIS IS RIDICULOUS.” It is March 25th, 2017. The Fentanyl patch, the chronic pain, the extra weight and the complacent daily routine were not descriptors of Gail’s former life. While some would say these were all signs of getting old, Gail knew she deserved to treat herself better. She needed to reset her lifestyle through a proactive approach to personal wellness. She had slipped into a cyclical routine that short circuited habits she had practiced for years while teaching others of healthy lifestyle practices. It had been close to 10 years, but today was the day to change all that. “As much as it stung to commit $190 per month to a gym, I knew it was an investment I had to make,” Gail stated. LA Fitness, a new installation in the neighborhood, became her daily destination. Equipped with exercise outfit and her walker, the journey began. The early days were tough. There was pain, discomfort and even some embarrassment. Using a trainer, Gail found creative and innovative ways to pursue a path to wellness. An employee of Weight Watchers’ for years during the 80’s, she helped launch programs all over the state of Georgia. She went back to their plan for diet and nutrition. She kept going to the gym 5 or 6 days a week. The weeks ticked by and just as she had preached to others many years ago, she started to find freedom from pain. The patch disappeared, the pills were cut back. The pain was minimized. She kept with the trainer and kept up the routine through the end of the year. Having lost 50 pounds, Gail Stillwell starts 2018 with a whole new outlook. She still goes to the gym and has discussed how she will proceed with her trainer into this second year. She shines each day with a smile that was once hard to spot. A longtime resident of this community, many neighbors are asking questions and her example is inspiring more than a few. At 75, she is ready for what’s next and glad she decided to something for herself.
