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Contestant standing up to arthritis in the name of fitness

By Toni Cekada for The 2 min read
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John F. Brothers | Herald-Standard

Eral Purcell and the other Shape-Up participants do water aerobics at the YMCA.

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John F. Brothers | Herald-Standard

Earl Purcell works out with aquatic exercise barbells during a water aerobics class for the Shape-Up Challenge participants.

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YMCA personal trainer Pam George programs a workout into the treadmill for Earl Purcell.

John F. Brothers | Herald-Standard

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John F. Brothers | Herald-Standard

YMCA personal trainer Pam George checks the numbers as Earl Purcell steps onto the scale.

One smiling face you can always expect to see at Uniontown’s YMCA on Monday evenings is that of Shape-Up Challenge — Silver Edition contestant Earl Purcell.

A husband, father, grandfather, woodworker and peanut-butter maker, Purcell joined the challenge to lose weight, be in better overall shape and to help with his osteoarthritis.

“The biggest challenge for me is that I need to limber up,” he said. “I have arthritis so bad. It’s pathetic.”

Purcell has been suffering from osteoarthritis “all over” for at least the past 20 years.

But he isn’t letting the pain discourage him, even though he says it has gotten worse during the past five weeks.

“It’s a little more pronounced probably because I’m doing more activity than I normally do,” he said.

Purcell’s arthritis makes him uncomfortable and makes it sometimes difficult even to walk.

“I would like to get to where I can walk at least three or four blocks at a time,” he said.

But other than his arthritis, Purcell says he’s in great health, and is enjoying this experience.

Beginning the challenge weighing in at 232 pounds, Purcell is hoping to weigh at least 200 pounds or less by the end of the 13 weeks.

His inspiration to stay motivated comes from his wife.

“She’s behind me 100 percent and encourages me all the way,” he said, joking that she would like for him to go walking with her.

Aside from exercising, Purcell said he has learned some really good points from Jessica Marshall, a graduate of Indiana University of Pennsylvania’s dietetic program, and who has been meeting with the contestants each Monday as part of a four-part nutrition series.

He has taken advice about portion control, his fruit intake and increasing fiber.

“I’m getting back into salads,” he said. “I’m more health conscious in general now.”

A retired iron worker, Purcell said he has never really been health conscious.

“I wrestled in high school and I always worked hard. I didn’t start to slow down till my mid 60’s,” he said.

Now, in his free time, Purcell enjoys spending time with his family, and also spending time in his workshop where he often makes gifts, such as jewelry boxes for his wife, daughter and granddaughter.

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