Louisville doctor starts online workout community, members see life changing results

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- An online workout community started to help with healthy habits in the new year is now going year-round.

Norton Children's Family Medicine Dr. Steven Patton started a Facebook group called Dirty30 Workout Challenge leading into January 2024.

The challenge is to get 30 minutes of exercise for 30 days in a row.

Patton said he used to do a similar challenge with some of his friends and he had the idea to expand it to anyone who wanted to join.

"It really held us accountable, but it also helped us as far as bonding," Patton said. "I kind of wanted to share it with the rest of the world and see if we can get some other members in there."

Patton said it also held him accountable to practice what he preaches to patients.

"The common thing I've seen with even with my patients, is when we give their recommended suggestion of 30 minutes, five times out the week, they say, 'I just don't have time,' you know? So that's what the challenge is really about, is making time for yourself," Patton said.

Terry Jones was one of the original members. He said after grieving the loss of loved ones a few years back, his weight got up to 280 pounds.

"I went to therapy, but also turned food. That's comfort, and I ate my way through that. I ate my way through COVID," Jones said.

Along with high cholesterol and a new diabetes diagnosis, Jones also battled a mental struggle with anxiety and depression. All ailments he was able to start to conquer once he joined Dirty30.

"Becoming a part of Dirty30 really helped me feel like I was a part of something bigger than myself," Jones said. And during that process, like I said, I started losing the weight, but also my confidence started to feel better."

Now, more than a year later he lost about 100 pounds and is building muscle. He also no longer needs medication to help him cope with anxiety or depression.

"If you're struggling with mental health and you're struggling with just getting off the couch and really getting yourself motivated and going, it doesn't have to start off with anything big," Jones said. "Just come, just join the group and just say, 'Hey, my name is' and I'm telling you right there, from that point on, people will start gravitating and we'll start talking to you."

Jones has made it a lifestyle change to share his workouts with the group. He like many others, ready to turn the workout challenge into a weekly effort.

Patton said starting after Feb. 10 the group will focus on 30 minutes of exercise four times out of the week, year-round.

"I've seen some miraculous changes, including for myself, but I've a lot of members want to continue this on, and I agree with the maintenance is actually harder than you know, initiating." Patton said.

It's free to join the Facebook group. Jones and Patton also plan to host in real life workout meetups in the future, like a walking group starting in spring.