Active Lifestyle with Fibromyalgia

Having a Good Quality of Life Despite having Fibromyalgia

Jesus said, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” For when I am weak, then I am strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

Losing 30 Pounds

Debra lost 30 pounds by jogging and pushing her kids in a stroller, lifting weights in her garage, eating healthy, and taking the AIM products. As her kids grew and got too big for the stroller, they rode their bicycles beside her as she jogged and did her sprint training on farm roads.

Debra, 32 years old, jogging with her kids Debra with Natalie and Ty

(Both pictures taken by Patrice Bowers)

The Galaxy Competitions

The Galaxy Fitness Competition consist of three parts. The first segment of competition is an obstacle course of a 15 foot cargo net to climb up and over, 10 foot wall to go up and over, monkey bars, hurdles, “over and under,” running with two 50 pound water jugs, and run through a rope grid.

The second part of the contest is a bathing suit competition. If a competitor has too much muscle, too skinny, or unhealthy body fat then points are deducted. The scores of the obstacle course and swim suit round are added together and the top 15 are invited to join the “Winner’s Circle.”

These ladies have a third segment to the contest which is an evening gown competition and are also interviewed in front of the crowd and asked a question about health or fitness. The “Top 5” contestants with the best scores of all three competitions are awarded cash prizes.

Debra on the cargo net Debra climbing up the wall

Debra on the “over and under”

Debra, 33 years old (1999) Debra, 34 years old (2000)

Debra competed in the Galaxy when she was 33-35 years old and was competing against girls that were 10-15 years younger than she was.

1999 Galaxy competition, Dallas, TX, Debra won 1st place overall & 1st in the obstacle course.)

Debra, 33 years old, 1st place Debra, 33 years old, 2nd place in

in the Texas competition (1999) National Championships (1999)

1999 Galaxy National Championship, St. Pete Beach, Florida, Debra won 2nd place overall (Debra is on the front row, 9th girl from the left)

Galaxy Fitness Competitions Results

1st place overall, Texas Competition, 1999
2nd place overall, National Championship, 1999
1st place obstacle course, 1999 and 2000
“Top 5” in the obstacle course in 9 competitions
“Top 5” (cash prizes) overall in 6 competitions

Baywatch

In September of 1998, 26 hand-picked Galaxy competitors from all over the world flew to Los Angeles to film an episode of Baywatch, at Santa Monica Beach, CA. The popular TV show ran from 1989-2001. According to the Guinness Book of World Records, Baywatch is the most watched TV show in the world of all time, with over 1.1 billion viewers.

Debra was invited to be in the “Galaxy Girls” episode which aired in May of 1999. George Hamilton was a guest star in the same episode.

Debra (3rd from the left) with David Hasselhoff and the Galaxy Girls (picture by Skip Faulkner)

Debra at the Baywatch Lifeguard headquarters Debra (center) and Baywatch actresses, Kelly Packard (L), and Brook Burns (R)

Martial Arts

After competing in the Galaxy, Debra started competing in taekwondo competitions and was asked to perform with the West Texas Demo Team. The group of athletes did routines combined with karate, back handsprings, flips, and other tumbling moves combined with nunchucks and breaking boards. Their message was addressed to teenagers of “saying no to drugs.” Debra went on to earn a “brown belt” in taekwondo and was training for a “black belt” when she had a knee injury and tore her ACL in half and had two knee surgeries.

Debra (center, 38 years old), the West Texas Debra at a Bench Press Competition

Demo Team, Plainview, TX 2004 1st place in 1998, 1999, Amarillo, TX

After Debra's health improved, she had the privilege of meeting a few interesting people.

Debra & George Hamilton, actor Debra, Gary, and JJ Redick, NBA Basketball player

for over 60 years

+

Debra hiking in Malibu, CA Debra (far left) on stage with J.R. Celski (far right),

with Cory Everson, 6 time Olympic medalist in speed skating

Ms. Olympia, & actress

Debra and Monica Brant, fitness model Debra and Lou Ferrigno, the Incredible Hulk

with over 100 magazine covers

Active Lifestyle Despite having Fibromyalgia

Debra explained, "I still have fibromyalgia, but I have control of the symptoms, and they do not have control of me. I have to be disciplined and continue to take the AIM products, exercise, drink plenty of filtered water, eat healthy, and have an overall healthy lifestyle. This has allowed me to continue to be active and travel with my family and experience many things that I might not have been able to do with the typical pain and fatigue that fibromyalgia brings to people. People normally do not die from the symptoms of fibromyalgia, but it can rob them of their quality of life. I have tried to demonstrate how life can still continue with fibromyalgia and how to have a good quality of life and to have an active lifestyle. A few activities that I enjoy are camping, snow skiing, water skiing, hiking, and traveling with my family."