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MICHAEL and Tracie Dugan have a love story that has become legend. One day, back in 1990, Michael's father called him to tell him that he'd met Tracie, the woman who was going to be the mother of his grandchildren. Would he please call and arrange a date?

Like many sons who've gotten similar calls, Michael promised to call the woman, but never did because she lived nearly two hours away. A couple of weeks went by, and Michael got a call from his father again. Tracie had ratted him out, telling his father that she hadn't heard anything. (She says now that she was trying to keep an open mind.)

This time, Michael listened. He called Tracie and arranged to meet for what would be a blind date. (Tracie had seen a photo already.) What happened when he met her--halfway between their respective cities?

"I was a goner," says Michael, 43, who works for the Los Angeles County probation department and sells real estate.

The two began dating, married in 1994 and now live in Studio City, Calif., with their 6-year-old daughter, Brooke. That one phone call--well, two phone calls--led to a love match and a family's commitment to living a healthy life.

"Early on, we discovered that we both liked to work out," says Tracie, 39, a certified personal trainer and sports nutrition specialist. "Our family stands for health--spiritually, emotionally, mentally and physically. So, being fit is high on our list of values."

The couple says God blessed them with parents who gave them good genes and also instilled in them the desire to stay in fair shape.

"My experience is that when you stay in shape, you feel better as an individual, and you provide so much more to your spouse," says Michael, who also is a swimmer. "If I'm not a whole person, then I'm not able to provide stability in the relationship."

Health and fitness are such key parts of the family's life that Tracie has started a public speaking company that targets health and fitness issues in the African-American community, and works with Hands 4 Hope, an organization that teaches health and fitness to at-risk youth.

The couple also tries to serve as an example for their daughter. Not only do the Dugans show their daughter the importance of good health, but also they show her that it's something the family can do together. Michael and Tracie work out together at least once a week, and separately four or five times a week. Brooke also is very active. She swims, plays soccer, skates, rides a scooter and is also a model.

# posted by Medical Information : 5:14 AM