Denise Dixon on her quest for fitness. - Contributed

At 39, Denise Dixon was diagnosed with hypertension, but, in her own words "I wasn't taking it seriously enough." One year later, she has adopted a more serious approach. She has been going to the gym, has started a running programme and, "God's willing, will participate in the Reggae Half Marathon (13.1 miles) event in Negril on December 2."

The marketing manager at Pepsi Cola, Jamaica says she has been a member of a gym "all my adult life," but went on a haphazard basis, "There was no consistency. I would join for three months and only go for a couple of days within that period." About to celebrate her 40th birthday, faced with the diagnosis made the previous year and needing to lose about 30 pounds, Ms. Dixon realised, "It was not a matter of choice anymore ... I needed to do something."

She was motivated to walk the SIGMA Corporate Run 5K in 2006 and decided soon after that she wanted to participate in the Reggae Half Marathon. Having been selected as one of two participants who will be sponsored by the Gleaner Company as part of the "Gleaner/Reggae Marathon Challenge" she will follow a weekly training programme to increase her fitness and mileage up to race day. The programme combines walking sessions three times per week in addition to the cross-training activities of cycling (spinning), swimming and stretching (yoga). Ms. Dixon, who says she is always up for a challenge, is now even more motivated.

According to her, the support from members of the Jamdammers Running Club, organisers of Reggae Marathon, motivates her and it is generally more fun to train with others than to go it alone. Trying to run three days a week is easier said than done. However, because as she points out, "My job is not a nine to five one. I get to work early and leave late and often have to travel overseas on business. It's a struggle because while I exercise in the mornings, evenings are impossible because by the time I leave work, I have low or no energy to do anything of that nature." When she does make it to the gym, she does one hour of cardio and then another of lifting weights to strengthen her legs and upper body.

ADOPTING healthier lifestyle

She recognises, however, that if she is going to achieve her goal of adopting a healthier lifestyle, she also needs to pay attention to her diet: "I eat on the go, and even though this will probably not change for a while, I, at least, need to eat healthier. I recognise the problem and am working on it", she added.

And, will she continue with some kind of fitness programme after the event, Ms. Dixon replied, "I want to, and certainly for now, I will have to. By early next year, I want to be 30 pounds lighter!"

The Gleaner Company will be responsible for the challenge participants' doctor's visit, outfitting them with proper running shoes, and paying for accommodation, transportation and the entry fee for the event.