The United States Army used a slogan several years ago, “We do more before 9 am than most people do all day.”

That sentence could have described Charles Kelly’s life before Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) took over.

“It was rough,” the 79-year old Nebo, Illinois, resident stated. “I couldn’t do much. I did more sitting down than I did working.”

“We’ve got 10 acres here,” he continued.  “It takes a lot of work to keep it cleaned up, mowed and weeds pulled. General maintenance, you know.”

COPD obstructs airflow to the lungs causing shortness of breath, especially during physical activity, and a lack of energy, among other possible symptoms. COPD is a chronic disease.  It cannot be cured, but it can be managed.

Today, Charles is doing more working than sitting down, thanks to several changes in his life – including becoming a member of Illini Fitness.

“I am back to where I can kind of take care of things around here,” he exclaimed.

Charles is also back to having fun. He is active again in the Pike-Calhoun Sportsmen Club in Pleasant Hill where he trap shoots, takes target practice with his rifle and pistol and rides his horse.

After surgery to place valves in his left lung to reduce his shortness of breath, Charles attended cardiac rehabilitation at Illini Community Hospital to continue to improve his breathing and overall health. After finishing Cardiac Rehabilitation, his care team referred him to Illini Fitness to continue the exercise routine developed during rehabilitation.

“They are very nice people,” Charles said of the lllini Fitness staff. “If you need anything they are there to help you, and they have the equipment and the facilities you need.”

Illini Fitness is open 24-hours and located at 128 West Washington in Pittsfield.  In addition to exercise equipment, members can participate in exercises classes or work with a coach for personal training.

“With active members from ages 11 to 91, we make Illini Fitness welcoming to everyone,” said, Tina Veile ATC, NASM-PES, FNS. As Supervisor, Illini Fitness, Tina is a licensed/certified Athletic Trainer, a certified Performance Enhancement Specialist and Fitness Nutrition Specialist through National Academy of Sports Medicine.

“Some people use Illini Fitness to maintain their lifestyle, while others look to the Illini Fitness team to help them develop and execute a personalized plan to reach their goals, from returning to the activities of daily living after a stroke or a heart attack, to losing weight, or improving athletic ability,” Tina concluded.

Charles has a work out buddy. Karen, his wife of 62 years, goes to Illini Fitness with him three days a week.

“She told me I forced her to,” Charles said with a chuckle. “I really didn’t. I encouraged her.  I just wanted her to go with me. And it’s good for her, I know.”

 “He started going and I thought, it’s not going to do me any harm,” Karen added. “Maybe when I get up out of a chair I won’t feel so stiff.” 

“It’s making me feel better.  It limbers you up,” she concluded.