Many of the entries to the Healthy Lifestyle Inspiration contest were truly, well, inspirational. Some of the sources of healthy inspirations were surprising—like the kindergarten teacher who quit eating junk food when her students commented on her bad habits or the person who changed her health habits after her dentist told her that she had periodontal disease.

Other sources of inspiration came from friends, family members, even foreign exchange students and 4-H leaders. Their changes were impressive—readers told us of the pounds they lost, the cigarettes they quit smoking, and the fast food they stopped eating.

In some cases, they were inspired by someone who set a great example through their own healthy habits; in other cases, they witnessed the difficulties or sicknesses brought on by another person’s unhealthy decisions and wanted to live more active lives.  While so many of the stories were incredible and touching, one person’s really stood apart. Congratulations to Delvina Wescott and her healthy inspiration, Bertha Fogle. Here is Delvina’s story, in her own words:  

I was recently thinking about my healthy inspiration after speaking with the students of my Aerobics/Slimnastics class here at South Carolina State University. I said to myself "...I hope I'm getting through to them," and I thought about my best friend's mom Ms. Bertha Fogle, as I loaded my equipment into my SUV.

She was a pioneer of healthy living of sorts, way back (1960s) when it was very rare in an old neighborhood like mine in the Bronx to see someone like her. Everyday Ms. Fogle would pull out her exercise mat and weights, pop in her favorite eight-track cassette tape (whoa...I'm dating myself!) and "do her thang" for an hour. She also kept a tupperware box of salad always ready, with small tupperware bowls of garnishes ("...wait a minute...what's a salad? ...your mom really eats this stuff?"). 

The fruits were washed and sometimes stacked in a pretty bowl on the kitchen table. She encouraged us to help ourselves. She kept a large pitcher of water cold in the fridge, which was refilled religiously by my friend Dannette. We ate tuna salad, chicken salad, fruit salad...if it was a salad we ate it!  Not to mention that she was the first adult I ever saw taking vitamins (“...what's that?”). She cooked with olive oil ("What's an olive?") and baked delicious Parmesan chicken.

Remember, the staple diet was "Soul Food" and no knew about what it could do or what MSG was. We bought the first TVs and cars in the neighborhood, and we were the first generation to relax and enjoy new luxurious life styles. Very unhealthy life styles. We had parties frequently, slept until noon on weekends and bought whatever was advertised as convenient or quick. We smoked, we drank alcohol (only the adults, of course), and fat was in everything we ate. Don't get me wrong, we were very happy in my family, but we were going about it in an unhealthy way—until later.

Ms. Fogle was so different. I watched her in amazement as we climbed up the stairs to my friend’s room (puff, pant). And that's another thing. She owned a three-story stack house with a front yard and cleaned it until it was spotless, planted beautiful roses, and was my Girl Scouts Leader. All of this while attending night school and working a full-time job! She was a successful single mom with two daughters, a house, and a big German Shepherd named Rex.

Now I really realize...that that Ms. Fogle was dynamite and ahead of her time. She looks a lot like the singer Mary J. Blige and has retained her youthful looks and spunky attitude. I hear she goes to Las Vegas twice a year and Atlantic City once a month, now that she is retired. She deserves it.

We could never keep up with her, whenever we went shopping on Fordham Road or downtown at Macy's! But now I know why.... I love to call her daughter and ask how she is. Of all of my friends, she is the only mother alive enjoying good health and mobility! I miss her and will always think of her. Those were tough times in a tough environment and she will always be my first healthy inspiration. You go girl!