This week, we shine the spotlight on Theresa Stumpf, a longtime member of the Kettering Fitness and Wellness Center (KFWC) and an inspiration to us all.
Theresa, a 60-year-old mother of three and a dental hygienist for 37 years, has been a Kettering resident for nearly three decades. She cherishes the city’s proximity to bike paths, Metro Parks, and, of course, the KFWC and Kettering Recreation Complex (KRC).
When asked about the personal obstacles she’s overcome, Theresa candidly shares her struggle with consistency in her fitness journey. “Once I was consistent weekly, it moved into my diet and being healthier with it by making small lifestyle changes to achieve my goal,” she says. The accessibility of Kettering’s fitness facilities played a pivotal role in helping her establish a routine. “Meeting someone at 5:30 am keeps me accountable,” Theresa explains, referring to her thrice-weekly training sessions with Ben, her personal trainer.
“Personal health and fitness goals the last few years have been to add new ‘sports’ and try new activities,” she says. Theresa has taken up yoga and swimming lessons at the KRC to keep herself active during the colder months. She’s also training for several bike rides this year, including a charity event in September where she and her husband will raise funds for local organizations.
Despite her dedication, Theresa acknowledges that exercising isn’t always a joyful experience. “I used to believe that people that worked out consistently ‘loved’ going every time. This has definitely not been true in my case,” she admits. However, the physical, mental, and spiritual benefits keep her motivated. “Once I see that I am receiving results, it motivates me to ‘show up’ and give it my best each day.”
Theresa’s journey reminds us that fitness is a lifelong pursuit, and even on days when motivation wanes, simply showing up can be a victory in itself. We’re proud to have members like Theresa in our community, and we look forward to supporting her as she continues to conquer new heights in her fitness endeavors!