by Alissa Chapman

Teachers have always been role models for students. Here in Willow Springs, some teachers are raising the bar once more, challenging themselves to become healthier. 

Mrs. Miller, a Willow Springs High School science teacher, “is a good example of healthy living,” according to Nurse Kyle. Mrs. Miller has recently been inspired to better herself and become healthier.

“I realized I needed to cut back on my portions,” said Mrs. Miller. After paying more attention to what she eats, she’s addicted to eating healthy, as she now eats mostly organic foods, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.

Though eating healthy is the right thing to do, it’s not the only thing. Exercise is another way to shred inches off your waist and lower the numbers on the scale. Mrs. Miller is the instructor of two exercise classes at the Willow Springs YMCA. Her 6 a.m. boot camp class is every Monday-Friday. It consists of strength training, cardiovascular exercise, and abdominal workouts. She also has a class every Tuesday and Thursday at 3:30 p.m.

Exercise has always been a big part of Mrs. Miller’s life. She has been in karate for eight years and is a third degree black belt. “It helps with classroom discipline,” Miller jokingly adds.

She has had a summer full of 10-mile runs and swim team laps. Mrs. Miller continues her exercise by riding a bike to school nearly every day and training for a half marathon that she will be participating in this November. It’s a thirteen-mile race that will take place near Mountain Home, Arkansas. Mrs. Miller’s overall goal is to still be running and exercising when she’s 70, 80, and 90 years old. Her advice for those wanting to lose weight is to “find your own source of inspiration.” Her inspiration is Biggest Loser’s Jillian Michaels, of course.

“Are there still days I don’t want to get up and exercise? Yes. Do I anyway? Most of the time,” Mrs. Miller admits. “You have to find the difference between your body being tired, and making up excuses.”

With that never-quit attitude, Mrs. Cay Miller is one teacher who inspires both students and teachers to live healthier lives.