Just movin' it with family, community

For 12 years the Navajo Nation Just Move It run and walk events have been about health.

But over the years many participants, old and new, have made it something a little more than that.

"(The events) are for several different reasons, first of all to get into shape, for others for them it's something to do, and third to just visit family," Justina Nelson-Sutton said. "Families visit before or while they're walking."

That's because runners and walkers have turned the annual Just Move It into a family affair.

Nelson-Sutton was one of those walkers at the 12th Annual Just Move It Family 5K Run & 3K Walk in May with her mother Lucinda Nelson, her husband Brent Sutton and 2-year-old daughter Kymya Sutton.

The Nelson's and Sutton's said they've made it a point to attend the event every year.

The three adults wanted to do something as a family but they also had their own motivations.

For Justina Nelson-Sutton it is visiting others in the community.

"I say it's just being familiar with the whole program," she said. "It's actually really flexible, you do what you can, basically. It's just getting out and doing something instead of staying home. Just to interact with people, get to know other people in the community."

Lucinda Nelson uses the event to wash the stressful day out of her system.

Nelson said for years her family has tried to meet at any of the 15 Fort Defiance sites.

"We do this every year," she said. "I think it's very motivating. I run or jog not only here but at home in the evenings. It's very healthy to keep in shape. A stress reliever, helps me unwind after work, it's a good thing, I always encourage people to come out and participate."

Feeling good

Justina's husband Brent Sutton, 35, was a runner when he attended Window Rock High School and ran for three years at Pima Community College.

He said the event is a good way for people to better communicate with their communities.

"One, you're healthy. The other is you get to know your community, socialize, kind of like get together and feel good," he said. "Just come out and be part of your community."

A Fort Defiance Health Promotions staffer, who did not want to be identified due to IHS regulations, said the idea of being part of the community is exactly what Just Move It encourages.

"We encourage chapters to participate. We're concerned with childhood obesity, they (children) watch TV, eat sugary snacks and potato chips, and they end up gaining weight and it's really hard to lose it," she said. "Come and try to keep kids active, anybody, the whole family active."

The Just Move It program began In Tse' Daa' Kaan in early May and will conclude in early August in Shiprock.

According to a Fort Defiance Just Move It brochure, last year the Fort Defiance sites had a total of 4,621 participants and the Navajo Nation as a whole had 35,845 participants.

"The turnout is good, there are a lot of people that came out and come follow the events each year," she said. "We always ask chapter houses to help us out and sometimes they would, it's very difficult to get that for certain."

She said the only real dilemma the program has faced is the economic downturn.

"We encourage people to eat healthy snacks before they come because we can't afford it," she said. "With the economy the way it is, it's hard to get donations."

Time with mom

But it doesn't keep runners like another Window Rock High School graduate, 18-year-old Joshua Mitchell, from participating.

Mitchell said he started the Just Move It tour in Gallup, where he came in first in the 5K run. In two other runs following Gallup, he's finished in the top three. In Window Rock, Mitchell came in second, which is what he aims for but isn't necessarily why he runs.

"I ran cross country in high school," he said. "Just really trying to stay in shape."

But he also participates to spend time with his mother, Elverda Mitchell, and little brother, 11-year-old James Smith III.

"(I attend) just to get my family out too," he said. "To basically live a longer life. People with diabetes, some cousins, are a little overweight, it's good for them to come out and better their bodies. Just important to stay healthy."

Joshua Mitchell has been accepted to the University of New Mexico where he plans to study architectural engineering.

His mother, Elverda, 48, had a different motivation.

"Health-wise, a family member was diagnosed with diabetes," she said, "I thought it was about time I got myself to do some exercising. My boys have been running, I was always just waiting for them."

But on June 2 she was right there with them, running the best she could while ridding herself of stress.

"(It is) taking a lot of stress out and it helps a lot," she said. "I think everybody should be able to go out with their family. It's fun meeting other people, meeting longtime friends you haven't met in a while. Whenever it's convenient for all of us, we'll do eight or more. We're aiming for, like, 10."

Elverda Mitchell's younger son, Smith, ran because he wants to be like his older brother Joshua.

"I want to join cross country when I get older," he said. "I just want to stay in shape because it's fun too."

Nancy Barney, 65, feels the same way.

"I always do this every year," she said. 'I meet a lot of people, just talk to them and stuff like that. It gives you a good feeling. If you need to lose weight this where to do it. I always have fun."

She said her reason for coming out is pure enjoyment and to spend time with people. But her motivation is her 72-year-old husband Tom Barney.

Tom Barney has diabetes and has realized how important Just Move It can be for his health.

"He comes willingly because he as diabetes," Barney said on her husband's behalf. "He just wanted to sit all the time when he was working, that was his excuse all the time, that he was working. I told him if you want o live longer keep walking."

Barney said they started at the Gallup event and will continue as long as they can.

Even if it is just to be with family.

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