Vol. 23 + 24 12/2004 4th year edition

Editor-in-chief: Ñoã Hoaøng Nghóa phutavanthu@yahoo.com

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Feeling Thirty Years Younger

By Virginia J. Pillsbury

Conrad Vance moved to Florida partly for the warm weather activities, especially boating. While he has done little boating since living here, he loves the area and it is where he met his wife Linda. Together they share five grown daughters and are about to become grandparents for the fifth time.

A few years ago, Linda had health problems that kept her from exercising. “I added five sizes to my dress size,” she says. That, along with a picture of herself in a bathing suit, encouraged her to get active again. “I thought I was looking pretty good until I saw the picture of myself,” she laughs.

She started walking daily and noticed Vovinam Fitness Center, located on College Dr., on her walks. Finally she went in and met Master Luong Vui. “I told him I wanted to be healthy, strong and be able to defend myself.” She tried the Ladies Kickboxing Class, was hooked and has been a regular at Vovinam for the last eighteen months.

Meanwhile, Conrad hurt himself while working at his business, American Home Inspectors. An injured hamstring kept him on the sofa, with his leg up, unable to work. Conrad already had high blood pressure which this injury made worse. Linda mentioned her husband’s setback to Master Luong. “Next thing I know, he’s knocking on the door with a basket of fruit,” remembers Conrad. “He talked to me about my injury and encouraged me to try Vovinam.”

Soon after Linda and Conrad started personal training sessions with Master Luong; they go three times a week. Not only has Linda toned her body, she also feels better. “I was taking anti-depressants before I started working out,” she explains, “But no more.” Amazed with these results Linda says “everyone should work with a personal trainer for at least six months.”

Conrad’s health has also improved significantly. Not only has his blood pressure improved but working out has helped him at work too. He even says it helped him from falling off of a roof on a job. “I feel like I am thirty years younger.”

Another big plus is that Conrad stopped smoking. “Master Luong badgered me to death,” he says. “When I quit he said it was the best birthday present he ever received.”

When they aren’t working out, Conrad and Linda enjoy traveling and recently spent ten days on Maui for a daughter’s wedding. Linda also loves to cook and even though they watch what they eat, Linda does most of their cooking. “I like to know what’s in my food,” she chuckles. She even bakes her own bread.

The relationship they’ve developed with Master Luong is close. Last Thanksgiving when Linda and Conrad prepared the feast, Master Luong and his wife were part of the family at the table.

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