[Sly Fox]

I stumbled across this in the Dallas fishwrap:

Nothing helps you stay in shape like a workout pal


06:53 AM CDT on Tuesday, June 27, 2006

By DEBBIE FETTERMAN / Special Contributor to The Dallas Morning News

Walking brought across-the-street neighbors Miriam Creemer and Gretl Bonfield together 23 years ago. Tish Brewer James and Diane Proud share a newfound passion for exercise boxing. Racquetball united a group of Plano men for the camaraderie and competition.

They've all figured out that exercise, like most things in life, can be made more fun when shared with a buddy.

It can be the solution to finally becoming consistent. It can enable you to see someone whom you might otherwise not have time to see.

The key is sharing the joy of fitness and friendship regardless of background, age or fitness level.

Here's a glimpse at three sets of buddies who do something they love with people they like.

Throwing punches

Tish Brewer James, 29, and Diane Proud, 54, gather weekly to throw punches. But it's not what you think.

"We're not hitting each other," Mrs. Proud says. "That's the image people have in their minds."

Exercise boxing won't even prepare them for the ring. It's an intense full-body workout that weaves punching, balance and strength training into a heart-pounding cardio session.

They do a 30- to 40-minute weekly session with the Cooper Center's boxing pro, Derrick James, Mrs. James' husband. Their hands are wrapped and covered in padded boxing gloves. They punch training bags or hit Mr. James' mitts. He mixes a variety of conditioning exercises between every punching barrage.

The pair can share the session despite being at different fitness levels.

Both have been top athletes. Mrs. James was in peak form while playing Division I volleyball at Liberty University in Virginia back in the mid-'90s. She stopped working out for a year after college. She's trying to get back into better shape.

Mrs. Proud, the Cooper Center's running coach, is one of the country's top age-group triathletes. The pair met a few years back when Mrs. James also worked at the Cooper Center.

"Diane is in 10 times better shape even though I'm younger," Mrs. James says. "I'm trying to get into cardio shape. Because I know she's fit, that pushes me. I know she's not going to quit."

The variation in fitness levels makes no difference. Mr. James alternates working with each one at her level. It keeps the women on their toes and gives each a quick but much-needed break between sets to catch a breath.

Mrs. Proud persuaded Mrs. James to try boxing with her.

"The appeal was to do something completely different and enhance my strength and fitness," Mrs. Proud says. "It doesn't detract from my primary sports. It's good mentally and physically to totally do something different."

Mrs. Proud says she also enjoys spending time with Mrs. James, something they weren't doing on a consistent basis.

"She's not even 30, and we're really good friends," Mrs. Proud says. "Sport brings people together. I have a lot of friends that I hang out with that are not my age. Friendships don't have to be defined by age or demographics."

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent ... 40ca0.html


Derrick James leads his wife, Tish Brewer James, and her workout pal, Diane Proud (right), through a cardio-intensive boxing workout at the Cooper Fitness Center. "I'm trying to get into cardio shape," Mrs. James says. "Because I know she's fit, that pushes me. I know she's not going to quit."