Active Champions

Adair Patterson

What Activities Keep You Fit and Active?
I do Aqua fitness classes (I also teach Aqua fitness), hike, ride my bike, go to the weight room and when I can, I do yoga.

What Motivated You to Become Active?
I have always been an active person but the diagnosis of breast cancer in 2002 gave me a new emphasis in my life. I knew if I was going to survive I would need to do more than maintain my physical fitness, I was going to have to make taking care of my physical being my first priority. I took the advice of my nurse and went to the BC Cancer Agency for relaxation and meditation sessions. While there, I met many people who gave me great advice and shared their experiences and knowledge. It was here I heard of Melanie Galloway and the Passport to Wellness program. This became one of my life lines to becoming a strong and healthy person.

How Do You Motivate Yourself to Stay Fit?
Motivation for me can be hard sometimes; especially when I'm feeling tried or it's a cold and wet morning. However, I can never forget I had cancer and that my mother died of cancer when she was only 42. Being alive feels great and after I have done aquafit, or gone for a hike or taught a class, I feel so alive and happy knowing that my body is gaining in strength and health.

What Are the Benefits of Being Fit?
The benefit is that I have the Breast Cancer in remission and I'm able to work and go out into the world with a smile on my face and know that my heart is also doing well too.

What Are Your Future Fitness Goals?
My future goals are to teach a Water Fitness Class and to complete a personal training certification. Then I can help people of the Third Age to live long healthy lives. I also plan to do more cycling holidays and hikes to the top of the mountains in BC with my husband and my friend Liz.

Hobbies/Interests?
My hobbies are reading fiction, knitting and sewing. My interest in art is very strong. I have two Bachelor of Fine Arts degrees and, often go out with my husband "pleine aire" painting. One of my jobs is selling sewing machines so I'm fortunate to work at a job I love doing and is creative.

Another one of my interests is to work on the steering committee for the North Vancouver Relay for Life. I look after the Survivors Breakfast and Lap portion of the event. It is the celebration of people who have made it through treatment and serves as the inspiration for all the people who raise money to help find the cure.

Favourite Quotes
This quote reminds me of what I need to remember and do each day to make my life better:
May I be safe and protected from inner and outer harm
May I be happy and peaceful
May I accept myself just as I am
May I be healthy and strong
May I accept myself just as I am
May I live in this world with ease and well being
May I love and respect myself completely

The other is from Wordsworth:
I have learned
To look on nature, not as in the hour
Of thoughtless youth; but hearing often times
The still, sad music of humanity

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