the tenpinexpress.com
At The Open Championships 2021.
Pictured Is: Linda Walbum, Right, With Her Daughter Dani. At The Open Championships On June 17.
A Dinner With Friends In August 2019. Started Linda Walbum, On Her Weight Loss Journey.
After Losing 80 Pounds, In Two Years. She Is A Happier And Healthier Person Because Of It.
By Michael 'Chip' Begg
Managing Editor - thetenpinexpress.com
Director Mesa Metro Association
Las Vegas, NV. - - - When it comes to bowling Linda Walbum, of Brighton, CO. Is good at the game.
Really good at the game.
As a member of the Greater Denver USBC since the 1999-00 season, she has managed to accomplish the following in our sport. According to Bowl.com, she has rolled six perfect games during the course of the last 21 years. With the first one being rolled on April 6, 2003, at AMF Aurora Lanes. And her most recent one on April 24, 2017, at Highland Park Lanes. She has one 800 series under her belt, that was achieved at Bowlero Wheat Ridge on January 24, 2019. It included games of 290-278-243 for an 811 series. And she actually has a second 800 series from January of 1999, in Chicagoland. It was an 808 series, and the games she rolled were 257-300-251. And oh, by the way, did we also mention that she rolled 11 strikes in-a-row three times as well.
While she may be great at rolling a ball underhand that weighs about 14 pounds. She may not be that great when it comes to things that will help her improve the quality of her lifestyle. And that is when a dinner with Kelly Kulick allowed her to meet Valerie Bercier, where she introduced her to Optavia. It was the best decision of her life. After a few conversations, she decided to try the program. Valerie is a registered dietician and owns Burberry Health & Wellness, LLC.
"I was more skeptical about me," said Linda, who started on the nutrition program on August 19, 2019, at 244 pounds. And by June 21, 2020, got her weight down to 164 pounds. "I can commit to a weight loss program and work it into my lifestyle. Within the first two weeks, I began to see results. Actually, our program is similar to others, with 6 fuelings per day. The weight loss phase is 5n1 - this equates to 5 of the Optavia fuelings and one Lean and Green meal that you prepare yourself."
The fuelings from Optavia are nutritionally balanced to provide 20 percent of your daily vitamins and minerals. When you are in the weight loss phase. Typically, in the 5n1 plan you are receiving, 100 percent of the recommended daily vitamins and minerals, plus your Lean and Green meal. Following this program provides you to get into a slow fat burn, so that you lose weight without feeling hungry or deprived.
"She is amazing," she said, of the Optiva Coaching she gets from Valerie. "We also do talk about bowling. After all this time, She is more of a friend to me, than a health coach. Athough, we do chat about food, food prep, and share recipes quite often. When people are ready to start on a program that will help improve their lifestyle, they have to be in the right mind set to start on it. I ordered my first month's kit, and never looked back. I love the ease of the 'Lean and Green' fueling."
Linda, who is a sales rep for Oracle. An American Multinational Computer Technology Company. Spent time working from home during the course of the pandemic last year. Like the rest of us did.
"Looking back, this process has not been hard at all for me," she said, of her weight loss process. "Luckily, I did not gain any weight back that I lost, during the course of the pandemic." This is mainly due to the education that comes along with our program which has allowed me to develop better eating habits - after all, it is called Habits of Health Tranformation system.
One nice thing about losing the amount of weight that Linda did, is at some point she had to buy a new wardrobe. And it also affected her fit when it came to drilling a new bowling ball.
"It has been going great, and I have been able to stick with the program," she said, of dropping the 80 pounds she has lost. "Losing the weight around the tummy for me, was the biggest thing. I needed a little bit of practice, to get used to the new fit after my hand span had changed. Losing more than 80 pounds has allowed me to bowl for extended periods of time with less pain and tiredness."
Linda is a past champion of the Golden Ladies Classic, and she captured this title in 2019. That same year she also placed sixth in the USBC Queens event at the Gold Coast Casino in Las Vegas.
"The Golden Ladies Classic title was my first major title, and it was a huge accomplishment," she said, of her first major title. It took a while for it to sink in, when I got home. 2019 was one of my best year on the lanes, for sure. I was able to have a dream come true by winning a major tournament.
"I kept myself from the stepladder finals in the Queens. I had a game plan and I second-guessed my plan in the middle of the final match," she added. "If I had stuck to my game plan, I would have been in the finals for the Queens in 2019. I wouldn't change anything in the Queens - I learned a valuable lesson, and that is part of what allows all of us to grow and be better each time we get on the lanes."
While bowling was shut down in most parts of the country on March 7, 2020, things were a little different in Colorado, and Linda was able to get some valuable practice time in.
"Obviously, the pandemic is the most memorable thing from 2020. However, the lessons I've learned are invaluable," she said, of what she will remember most about 2020. "I am more grateful for everything in my life, than I have ever been. While I never want to go through that again, I am very aware of the wonderful things that comes with this beautiful life."
Lynda does not have to go far, when it comes to getting an extra push to succeed on the lanes.
"At some point, everyone in my family bowled. My husband used to bowl leagues, but he's had a few wrist surgeries and has decided not to bowl anymore. My daughter, Dani (Danielle) bowls and has recently started playing softball," she said, of her support group. "She is in the early stages of playing, but was inspired by James Madison University during the recent College World Series. Everyone in my family is very supportive of my bowling - I could not do what I do without them."