Member Spotlight: Dave and Debbie Damude
Dave and Debbie have always been active in various sports through out their entire lives.
Dave has been in martial arts for 25 years and is a 3rd degree black belt.
Dave and Debbie joined G&M Fitness back in 1986, when it first opened. Debbie even taught aerobics at G&M for a short while before becoming pregnant with their first child.
Today, Dave and Debbie are both retired, enjoy camping and hiking and are still active in various sports and activities.
Fitness has always played an important role in their lives and has served them well throughout their lives and now in their retirement.
They want to keep up their strength, flexibility and mobility.
“As we age, we know we can lose muscle and we don’t want that to happen” says Dave.
He also said that they hear that complaint from others their age, losing strength and abilities.
“We also want to be able to hold and keep up with our grandkids” Debbie added.
Avoiding and recovering from injuries was also a reason they keep up a fitness routine.
Dave has had 3 knee surgeries and Debbie was able to overcome work related injuries from being a PSW in her shoulder and back that strength training has helped with.
“We like to challenge ourselves in the gym to build and maintain strength and work on flexibility.”
Dave says that his workout routine translates into better performance in his Karate, allowing him to spar and keep up with teenagers, hold stances and be smoother with his movements.
Dave and Debbie’s workout routine consists of 3-4 workouts per week, never on weekends, striving for consistency.
“If I don’t stay active, my body changes quickly” Debbie noted, also saying that she enjoys the results of working out.
Dave said if they didn’t workout consistently, they would have a lot more aches and pains to deal with.
They want to keep up their workouts as long as possible to stay active and able bodied.
“You can always adapt your workouts along the way. I don’t run anymore but I walk and bike instead” says Debbie, adding that you can always do something.
Some words of advice they shared to anyone thinking of getting started on their own fitness journey is to do what you can and get started.
“You don’t have to do a lot of heavy stuff. Find what you like doing. It’s all about consistency and ask for help getting started if you need to. The staff at G&M are there to help.”
Congratulations on all of your success and for keeping exercise and physical activity as part of your lifestyle for so long! Your story is a reminder of the benefits of it all! Thank you for sharing!
