Susan Rowels encuentra fuerza a través de NYRR Striders

Susan Rowels was never active as a young woman. She’d had scoliosis—a curvature of the spine—in childhood and though it was treated, by high school she’d developed a sedentary lifestyle. “It limited me physically,” said Susan, now 61. “I just didn’t ever see myself as someone who exercised and as I got older, I got heavier.” By 2012, in her early 50s, Susan weighed nearly 340 pounds.

At a health fair at Harlem Hospital, she learned about NYRR Striders, a walking-based fitness program for adults of all ages. “My doctor had been urging me to lose weight, so this seemed like something to try,” she said.

Susan quickly became a dedicated member of Striders, joining weekly walks in Central Park and learning from Striders coaches and fellow members how to make healthy food choices. Nine years later, her weight has dropped to 212 pounds and she feels positive and energized. “I learned how to balance my diet and exercise,” she said. “The way I eat now is good for me—it’s not restrictive. I feel strong, never deprived.”

For Susan, that strength comes from the Striders community. “When I first started I felt like I had limitations, but I looked around and saw that other people had different limitations but it wasn’t affecting them,” she said. “I saw them work through it. When I slowed down or couldn’t finish, there was no judgment, it was just, ‘It’s okay, we’ll see you next week!’” She thinks of her Striders friends and coaches as her “second family." 

Susan has remained active during the pandemic by taking walks in her Harlem neighborhood. She looks forward to returning to Striders group walks in Central Park when they can safely resume.

Susan encourages women of any age to get active and to find a supportive community on their health and fitness journey. “Just start, however you can—don’t put it off and don’t judge yourself,” she said. “It may take time, but you’ll get stronger and healthier.”