We are so excited to celebrate our October Oxycise! Challenge winner — Lois Newswanger!
Lois has been a loyal and passionate part of the Oxycise! community since the mid-90s. At 75 years young, she continues to inspire us with her strength, perseverance, and dedication to her health. Today, we are honored to share her story — in her own words:
Lois’s Story
Hi, I’m Lois Newswanger, an avid Oxycise participant since the mid 90’s. Like so many others, Jill’s workouts mesmerized me because they were so easily done, yet so effective in results. I especially enjoyed her Level 3 workout. Through the years the Oxycise team have created so many creative and amazing workouts that have always kept me motivated and challenged. Depending on the day or need, I loved being able to do weight training, yoga stretching and aerobics through Oxycise.
However, in 2011 my life drastically changed. My husband was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease, and I became his sole caregiver while working full time. As his disease worsened, I needed to quit my job and care for him full time. This was especially difficult the last year of his life because he became psychotic and abusive. He died several years ago after battling his disease for twelve years. Also, during this harrowing time, our son was brutally murdered.
Needless to say, we were devastated and lost in grief. Besides my faith and prayer, Oxycise and meditation remained my anchors for stability and anxiety relief. I remember reaching out to the Oxycise team and asking if they could incorporate Oxycise with meditation workouts. And they did! I still love Kendall’s meditation series with O breaths.
However, I unfortunately underwent a serious caregiving injury which has now developed into severe shoulder arthritis, atrophied rotator cuff and bicep tendinosis. I am in serious chronic pain daily. House chores and exercise are a challenge for me. Yet I still rely on O breaths while taking walks and O Down Low, which I can do on the bed. The recent Boo Challenge was a game changer for me because I now know there are many Oxycise workouts I can still enjoy doing.
I am beyond grateful to the Oxycise staff and community for always being so supportive, creative and compassionate. You will always be my anchor.
Lois — thank you for your openness, your strength, and for still choosing Oxycise! through everything you’ve faced. You are a powerful example of hope and resilience, and we are so honored to have you in our family.
Please join us in sending Lois a big, heartfelt CONGRATULATIONS!
And thank you to every single one of you who participated in our October challenge — you are the heartbeat of this community.
More fun challenges are on the way… so keep breathing, keep moving, and keep believing in yourself!
