Greater Midland - a great place to start in 2018

Tara Jones attributes her 80-pound weight loss to hard work and a lot of support at the Community Center.

Tara Jones was looking to lose weight.

But what she found at Greater Midland Community Center was wellness – for herself and her entire family.

“There’s so much to do at the Community Center. And with the Family Premier Membership, the kids can all try different things and I can try different classes,” said Tara, who lost 80 pounds since joining Greater Midland six years ago.

“Now the mentality in our house is: Exercise is fun and it’s good for you.”

Greater Midland is helping individuals and families make wellness a priority in 2018 with a Jan. 4-7 membership special: Joining fees will be waived for all new members on Jan. 4 and will be half off from Jan. 5-7.

“This is a perfect time to become a greater you,” said Greater Midland CEO Kristen McDonald.

Tara and her husband, Travis, joined Greater Midland during the January 2012 membership special. Her youngest child at the time, Levi, was a toddler and Tara hoped to lose her “baby weight” and avoid potential health issues such as diabetes and hypertension.

Wellness has become a way of life for the Jones family, who joined Greater Midland six years ago. Parents Tara and Travis Jones love to swim at the Community Center's Oasis Pool with their children (from left), Malachi, Nala, Kaemon and Levi.

With Family Premier Membership, Tara was able to utilize the Community Center’s free Kids’ Corner drop-in babysitting while she worked out.

“Greater Midland is a wonderful place to take care of your kids while you take care of yourself,” said the 34-year-old Midland resident.

Never a runner, Tara nevertheless set her sights on Greater Midland’s Dow Run-Walk.

“I ran on the treadmill in the Wellness Center three mornings a week and was able to complete my first 5K that spring. I was really slow, but I did it,” she said.

Since then, Tara hasn’t faltered on her wellness journey – even through the birth of her fourth child, Kaemon, four years ago.

With encouragement from Greater Midland personal trainers, Tara continued growing stronger and faster, eventually competing in triathlons in 2016 and 2017. She enjoys TRX so much that she became certified in the suspension training exercise class and now teaches TRX two days a week at the Community Center.

The Jones children love coming to the Community Center’s Oasis Pool, climbing the rock wall, swimming laps, and improving their sports skills through Greater Sports Performance.

And every other Friday, Tara and Travis have a TRX workout “date” together.

Tara now exercises at the Community Center five days a week while her children are in school. Although never one to brag, she admits she’s down from a size 18 to a size 4.

And she loves herself and her new life.

“This is the most fit I’ve ever been in my life. I’m more energetic now that I’ve lost all that weight and my kids love to exercise, too. I’m at a place where I’m pushing myself to see where I can go next…

“If I can help one person on their own journey, then it’s all worth it.”

To learn more about membership options at Greater Midland, visit our membership page.