Hope MacBride not only serves as an example of a Tega Cay resident that is a dedicated volunteer, she also serves as an example of an individual who has successfully implemented a new healthy lifestyle.
 
Hope is a current committee member of the Tega Cay Parks & Recreation, a member of the Tega Cay Lions Club, and is the Secretary/Treasurer for "Neighbors Helping Neighbors."  She manages to volunteer in these various capacities all while working full time for Bank of America as Business Support Manager in the technology areas.
 
While being active in community and career certainly has kept Hope "hopping," she recently began living a more active and healthy lifestyle as a result of health concerns.  "My health prompted my lifestyle change.  I was to the point of not being able to walk up the stairs or to the top of our hill without being out of breath.  My blood pressure and cholesterol were high and I hated going clothes shopping.  I'm not a good pill taker so I decided to try making some lifestyle changes before moving on to medication," says Hope.
 
To facilitate her transformation, Hope enrolled in Weight Watchers.  As a result of her efforts, she has dropped four dress sizes and lowered her blood pressure significantly.  "Now I can take the stairs and hills with ease.  Unfortunately, my cholesterol is still high but now I know I need help with a genetic condition and not bad lifestyle choices.  I feel great and my energy level is way up and the most exciting thing - I get to buy a whole new wardrobe," says Hope.
 
The path to a healthy lifestyle has involved some huge adjustments in time management and mind-set.  "At first I started dieting by cutting back and was successful.  However, after the first ten pounds, I realized I needed help making the changes and joined Weight Watchers.  The program has been exactly what I need.  Weekly meetings keep me accountable and the program is easy to follow.  As we say in meetings, it isn't a diet but a lifestyle change.  I also instituted an exercise program into my daily routine.  My job and personal schedule do not allow time to go to the gym or to take long walks every day.  I used to have the mind-set that if I didn't have 30 minutes to an hour to exercise, why bother.  However, I work from home so I have learned to do weight and stretching exercises during long meetings, treadmill or stationary bike in 10 minute intervals between meetings and top off with 30 minutes of aerobics two to three evenings per week.  It is surprising how much one can do in small increments.  It might not be ideal but I do get in about 15 minutes of exercise each day and walk or ride between two to four miles per day.  It just takes me all day long to get it done."
 
Hope continues by saying that making the lifestyle change would not have been possible alone and acknowledges that family and friends are a crucial part of her a day-to-day success. She adds, "this is not something I can do alone. My family and friends have all been very supportive by acknowledging that I am working at changing my lifestyle and constantly celebrate the small milestones with me.   My husband has been with me every step of the way.  He does most of the cooking and Weight Watchers has a series of cook books with easy to follow  and good recipes. During the week, I tell him what to cook and he cooks and he can put together a mean salad.   On those days when we can't decide what to eat, he will make a huge salad instead of pulling out the pizza or fixing eggs and bacon.  On the weekends, I do the cooking - or we go out."
 
 
In terms of Hope's take on volunteering, she simply believes that volunteering and maintaining a sense of community is part of emotional well being.  "Volunteering has always been a large part of our lifestyle.  I believe that doing for others and your community is the thread that holds us all together and makes us family.  However, it is a personal choice and there is a time and place for everything and is dictated by life.  The organizations one belongs to should be meaningful to your life and give one a feeling of well being.   I love belonging to the organizations I'm involved in and I'm grateful that Jim and I are physically and emotionally able to do what we do. We have fun and the people are awesome."
 
Hope and her husband, Jim and son, also Jim, moved to Tega Cay from Rochester, NY in 1994. They have lived in the same house on Manawa Lane for the past 16 years.  As Hope puts it, she is "one of the fortunate people that works virtually out of my family room."  Hope and Jim have been married for 36 years in September and are celebrating with a trip to Germany in the spring.   Their son Jim graduated from Fort Mill High School, University of South Carolina and Clemson and married into a true southern family and he and wife, Heather, live in Greenville with our their two wonderful grandchildren; Noah, age 8 and Lily, age 4.