Carol O went from High Cholesterol to High stepper/peddler but not paddler

 Carol Osborne From sky high Cholesterol to Record High Stepper & Peddler (not paddler ha) 

 Carol center with Sharon Spezia & MIssy
@ Covenant Health Go Red Heart Truth event 

Carol far right on a Missy Fit Fun adventure bike hike trip @ Fontana Village 

Carol before picture late 1990's 

 Carol Osborne knew she had to do something after a physical back in 1999. She heard about a New Year, New You program and thought maybe this is the answer. Covenant Health’s Missy Kane was kicking off this health iniative with Dr. Bob both who have health shows on East Tenn PBS. Even Dr.Bob was shocked to see that Carol’s Cholesterol was over 800 !   Carol started walking more with Missy and her Get on Track programs and did some BodyWorks classes through Covenant Health. She also knew that with her Heart Disease condition she would never miss her yearly doctors check ups. Part of Missy’s Get on Track class also had tips from a Fort Sanders Cardiologist and Nutritonist. "I saw a great nutritionist that I learned about through Covenant Health and she helped me come up with a plan I could live with. The plan had to last a lifetime so I had to find something I could live with and enjoy. I eat much smaller meals on a daily basis and usually have six meals a day. Instead of high glycemic meals I eat good carbs and nuts or dark chocolate and try to make good protein choices. My favorite dessert is ice cream and instead of Ben & Jerry’s-Skinny Cows are great."

Carol & mascot Tara
helping w/ a Legacy Park walk

Sharon & Carol after a "canoe tip" 

And since Carol entered Missy’s classes they have grown to be good friends and Carol has done 100’s of miles with “missy and Friends” in the GSMNP on trails and now joins Missy on many long bike rides on the East Tennessee bike ways and roads "My job with Norfolk is very stressful and exercise keeps me sane. I can eat more of the foods I love also. When we do the big hikes and bike rides we always have a great meal and the fun times and laughter with friends keeps me happy. We always have some crazy adventure to look back on like the time I canoed for the first time and went in circles and tipped over. My co-workers have asked me if I want to live longer and that’s not it at all, I want to enjoy life and be active as long as possible.

Carol far right and Heart Truth mascot "Tara"
Carol is a Heart Truth Champion and helped Missy with
an 8 week Walking Program

In 2002 Carol was featured on a Womens Heart PSA run by Covenant Health and WBIR as she wants to help other know that when you have genetic factors leading to heart disease you have to A. take medications when needed to control high cholesterol, B. Exercise on a daily basis to control your weight an reduce high cholesterol, and C. eat a diet rich in omega 3 (nuts, fish etc) and watch your intake of fatty foods.
Carol lost 50 pounds after that 2000 New Year New You program and has managed to keep the weight off but she says it is not always easy.  She was on the first Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon media team and has done 2 half marathons.
She joined forces with Missy again this spring and they led 28 people on their teams called “Heart Truth Walkers” in a Knox County walking program encouraging each to wear a pedometer daily and track their steps. Carol logs in more than 10,000 steps every day walking trails on Knox County/City parks like Forks of the River, I C King and Hastie park. Carol shared her story of Heart Disease with the women on their teams and gave out healthy recipes like her “Rosemary Chicken” (www.covenanthealth.com/missykane page ) 

Fun @ hot springs spa after 12 mile hike in snow

Carol will turn 60 this summer and Missy and 10 other ladies plan to do a “Missy’s Buddy’s bike trip” in the fall. All of the ladies will join Missy’s Team (train with kane) for the Buddy’s race against Cancer November 11th and they plan to bike 40 miles on the Silver Comet bike trail to Anniston Alabama, then catch the AmTrack to New Orleans and walk around French Quarter 2 days then ride the train back to Anniston and bike another 40 mile to their cars in Cedartown Ga. She has a full time job at Norfolk Southern as a Yard master and works odd hours and looks forwards to these fitness adventures.  

Carol logs a 25 miler close to Kodak