The Galveston County Daily News

TEXAS CITY — Leroy Cooper was hoping to sit at home and watch some golf on a Saturday afternoon.

But after seeing his wife Icirean lose 12 pounds in a few weeks, he decided to join her in her new workout activity — walking around the quarter-mile track at the College of the Mainland.

“I used to be an athlete,” Leroy said laughing. “I don’t know what happened. My wife is such a great cook that I’ve probably gained 50 pounds. So I’m hoping to lose that weight.”

The COM track features everyday people with different workout strategies. Some spend most of their time running or jogging with an iPod playing. Others, like the Coopers, prefer to walk around enjoying each other’s company.

Icirean, 48, said since she picked up walking around the track three weeks earlier, she already had seen results.

“It’s all about being healthy,” Icirean said. “My goal is to lose 30 pounds, and I’ve already lost 12 in three weeks.”

With cooler temperatures coming to the Gulf Coast area, Icirean said it’s a good time to pick up the new weight-loss hobby.

“This weather is so nice,” Icirean said while admiring the 68-degree temperatures. “When there is a breeze like this, it provides a lot of motivation to come out here.”

Kathy Dorsey, 45, also was enjoying the cooler temperatures. Having jogged around the track every day for three years, Dorsey has exercised plenty of times in the Texas heat.

“I usually try to wait for when the sun is coming down,” Dorsey said. “At that time of day, it is usually part sun and part shade on the park. It usually feels good then.”

Dorsey said with the exception of days when she has church or work activities to attend, she makes sure to get in her 2 miles around the track. She said she normally runs for 1½ miles and walks the last half-mile.

“It is tough some times when I’ve had a hard day at work,” Dorsey said. “You want to go home and just sit on the couch, but no, you can’t do that.”

Afterward, Dorsey said the 2 miles leaves her feeling great.

“I’m always energized when I’m done,” Dorsey said. “It’s a great feeling.”